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OBJECTIVE: Stimulability is the ability to produce an adequate sound under specific conditions. This study aimed to describe the stimulability of Brazilian Portuguese-speaking children with and without phonological disorders for the production of liquid sounds with the aid of visual and tactile cues. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study sample included 36 children between 5;0 and 11;6 years of age, 18 with phonological disorder and 18 without any speech-language disorders. Stimulability was measured for syllable imitation. The stimulability test employed includes 63 syllables with the sounds [1], [lambda], and [r], as well as seven oral vowels. If the subject was unable to imitate a sound, a visual cue was given. When necessary, a tactile cue was also given. RESULTS: The sound [lambda] required greater use of sensory cues. Children with phonological disorder needed a greater number of cues. CONCLUSION: The use of sensory cues seemed to facilitate sound stimulability, making it possible for the children with phonological disorder to accurately produce the sounds modeled. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Our aim was to evaluate whether the hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) donor, 4-carboxyphenyl-isothiocyanate (4-CPI), exerts cardioprotective effect in the two kidney- one clip (2K-1C) rats through oxidative stress and MMP-2 activity attenuation and compare it with the classical H 2 S donor, Sodium Hydrosulfide (NaHS)., Materials and Methods: Renovascular hypertension (two kidneys-one clip; 2K-1C) was surgically induced in male Wistar rats. After two weeks, normotensive (2K) and hypertensive rats were intraperitoneally treated with vehicle (0.6 % dimethyl sulfoxide), NaHS (0.24 mg/Kg/day) or with 4-CPI (0.24 mg/Kg/day), for more 4 weeks. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was evaluated weekly by tail-cuff plethysmography. Heart function was assessed by using the Millar catheter. Cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis were evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin, and Picrosirius Red staining, respectively. The H 2 S was analyzed using WSP-1 fluorimetry and the cardiac oxidative stress was measured by lucigenin chemiluminescence and Amplex Red. MMP-2 activity was measured by in-gel gelatin or in situ zymography assays. Nox1, gp91 phox , MMP-2 and the phospho-p65 subunit (Serine 279) nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) levels were evaluated by Western blotting., Key Findings: 4-CPI reduced blood pressure in hypertensive rats, decreased cardiac remodeling and promoted cardioprotection through the enhancement of cardiac H 2 S levels. An attenuation of oxidative stress, with inactivation of the p65-NF-κB/MMP-2 axis was similarly observed after NaHS or 4-CPI treatment in 2K-1C hypertension., Significance: H 2 S is a mediator that promotes cardioprotective effects and decreases blood pressure, and 4-CPI seems to be a good candidate to reverse the maladaptive remodeling and cardiac dysfunction in renovascular hypertension., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest We declare that there are no conflicts of interest associated with this publication., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Blackground: To assess grazing behavior and associated factors in candidates for bariatric surgery monitored at a public hospital that is a reference in the care of people with severe obesity., Methods: Cross-sectional analytical study, with candidates for bariatric surgery of both genders, treated in a public hospital in the Amazon. To assess grazing behavior, the Repetitive Eating Questionnaire was used, and to investigate patterns of eating behavior, the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire was used, which assesses: Emotional Eating, Cognitive Restriction and Uncontrolled Eating. Sociodemographic information was obtained through self-report and the description of medication use through the medical record. Body mass index (BMI) was also calculated by measuring weight and height. The SPSS program, v. 21.0 was used. The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee., Results: A total of 205 participants were evaluated, with a mean age of 37.5 ± 8.6 years, the majority (93.7%) being women and the majority (59.5%) was not also using medication to lose weight. About 66.3% of the participants had compulsive grazing. The factor with the highest score was cognitive restriction ( p  < 0.001). Individuals who used weight loss drugs had higher scores in the cognitive restriction factor ( p  = 0.015) and lower scores for uncontrolled eating ( p  = 0.008), compulsive grazing ( p  = 0.021) and non-compulsive grazing ( p  = 0.034)., Conclusion: Linear regression showed that emotional eating and uncontrolled eating were predictors of both compulsive grazing and non-compulsive grazing behavior. It was observed that grazing behavior, cognitive restriction, emotional eating and uncontrolled eating are present and correlated in the studied patients. In addition, the use of weight loss drugs seems to help reduce dysfunctional eating behaviors in patients with severe obesity., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Kikuchi, Carvalhal, de Castro, Vieira Lourenço-Costa, dos Santos, Cunha, Paracampo and Gomes.)

Background: Although the gastrointestinal tract is the most affected by Crohn's disease (CD), the condition triggers other consequent manifestations, and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is one of the most common. Intravenous (IV) iron replacement is currently available through several drugs, such as ferric hydroxide sucrose and ferric carboxymaltose (FCM). However, the clinical management of these conditions can be challenging., Aim: To elucidate the drug's effectiveness, the present study analyzed, through medical records, the clinical and epidemiological data of a cohort of patients with active CD who received IV FCM for the IDA treatment., Methods: This retrospective observational study included 25 patients with active CD, severe anemia, and refractory to previous conventional treatments. Patients were evaluated two times: During the last treatment with ferric hydroxide sucrose and treatment with FCM., Results: After treatment with FCM, parameters of IDA assessment significantly improved, serum hemoglobin (Hb) levels increased in 93% of patients ( P < 0.0001), and in 44%, there was an increase of ≥ 2 g/dL in a single application. In addition, 86% of the patients showed an increase in serum iron ( P < 0.0001) and ferritin ( P = 0.0008) and 50% in transferrin saturation ( P = 0.01). The serum iron levels at baseline showed a negative association with the ileal and colonic CD and use of biologics and a positive association with patients who developed CD later in life after the age of 40 (A3) and with a stenosing (B2) and fistulizing (B3) phenotype. The values of Hb and hematocrit after ferric hydroxide sucrose treatment remained similar to those found before treatment., Conclusion: This study demonstrated that FCM is an important therapeutic strategy for treating IDA in CD patients, achieving satisfactory results in refractory cases., Competing Interests: Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article., (©The Author(s) 2023. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.)

Studies have shown that strength training (ST) with blood flow restriction (BFR) in which low load is used (20-50% of 1 maximum voluntary contraction - MVC) can produce positive adaptations similar to ST with loads equal to or greater than 70% 1 MVC. Furthermore, recent studies have investigated the effects of STBFR on muscle adaptations, but few studies investigated the effects of STBFR on vascular function. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the STBFR program on the vascular reactivity of the abdominal aorta of Wistar rats with femoral arteriovenous blood flow restriction. Male rats were divided into four groups: sedentary sham (S/S), sedentary with blood flow restriction (S/BFR), trained sham (T/S), and trained with blood flow restriction (T/BFR). The animals in the S/BFR and T/BFR groups underwent surgery to BFR in the femoral artery and vein. After one week, the trained groups started the ST which consisted of climbing ladder, six sets of 10 repetitions with 50% of 1 MVC assessed by maximum loaded weight (MLW) carried out for four weeks. Concentration-response curves to Acetylcholine (ACh: 10 nM - 100 μM) and Phenylephrine (PHE: 1 nM - 30 μM) were performed in aortic rings with intact endothelium. The production of nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in situ and the vascular remodeling marker (MMP-2) were also measured. The ST increased the strength of the T/S and T/BFR groups in MLW tests. The S/BFR group showed a 22% reduction in relaxation to acetylcholine, but exercise prevented this reduction in the T/BFR group. In animals without BFR, ST did not alter the response to acetylcholine. An increase in NO production was seen in T/S and T/BFR showed a reduction in ROS production (62% and 40%, respectively). In conclusion low load ST with BFR promotes similar vascular function responses to ST without BFR. Low load ST with and without BFR is interventions that can improve performance with similar magnitudes. Both training methods could have some benefits for vascular health due to NO production in the aorta increased in the T/S group and decreased production of reactive oxygen species in the T/BFR group., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The resolution of inflammation is an active process, guided by specialized pro-resolution lipid mediators (SPMs). These mediators originate from polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as omega-3. Sufficient evidence suggests that the beneficial effects attributed to omega-3 are, at least in part, the result of the immunomodulatory action of the SPMs, which act systemically by overcoming inflammation and repairing tissue damage, without suppressing the immune response. Recent studies suggest that an imbalance in the synthesis and/or activity of these compounds may be associated with the pathogenesis of several inflammatory conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Thus, this review highlights the advances made in recent years with regard to the endo-genous synthesis and the biological role of lipoxins, resolvins, protectins, and maresins, as well as their precursors, in the regulation of inflammation; and provides an update on the participation of these mediators in the development and evolution of IBD and the therapeutic approaches that these immunomodulating substances are involved in this context., Competing Interests: Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors declare that they have no competing interests to disclose., (©The Author(s) 2022. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.)

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are closely linked to nutrition. The latest research indicates that diet and nutrition are significantly involved in the etiopathogenesis of the disease, although their specific role throughout its clinical course still remains unclear. This study reviewed how diet and nutrition are associated with IBD development and management. Even though specific diets have been shown to bring about positive outcomes, there is currently no scientific consensus regarding an appropriate diet that would benefit all IBD patients. We suggest that individualized dietary recommendations are of the greatest importance and that diets should be planned to provide individual IBD patients with specific nutrient requirements while keeping all the clinical aspects of the patients in mind. Further research is clearly necessary to investigate nutritional factors involved in IBD development and, especially, to evaluate the applications of the diets during the course of the disease., Competing Interests: Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors declare that they have no competing interests., (©The Author(s) 2021. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.)

Diet is an important factor in both the pathogenesis and in the clinical course of Crohn's disease (CD). However, data on dietary patterns of CD patients are rather limited in the literature. This cross-sectional study included 60 patients with CD, aged 18-60 years. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire to measure food consumption patterns by principal component analysis (PCA). Multiple regression analysis was performed to investigate the association between dietary patterns and clinical and demographic variables. Three dietary patterns were identified: "Traditional + FODMAP" was associated with symptoms, gender, previous surgeries, and duration of the disease. "Fitness style" was positively associated with physical activity and negatively associated with body mass index and smoking. "Snacks and processed foods" was positively associated with duration of the disease and negatively associated with age. According to the weekly food consumption analysis, patients with active disease consumed less coffee and tea. We found significant associations between the three dietary patterns and the variables, but not with the stage of the disease. Prospective studies are necessary to determine the effects of food consumption patterns on the clinical course of CD.

Background and Aims: Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory disease consisting of alternated periods of relapse and remission. The disease is associated with altered body composition and micronutrient deficiencies. This study aimed to evaluate the nutritional status of Crohn's disease outpatients in remission and activity of the disease., Methods: Patients were classified according to Crohn's Disease Endoscopic Index of Severity or Magnetic Resonance Imaging scan. Anthropometric and biochemical analysis was performed for nutritional status evaluation., Results: A total of 60 patients were evaluated of which 31 were in endoscopic remission (mean Crohn's Disease Endoscopic Index of Severity: 1.76) and 29 in activity (mean Crohn's Disease Endoscopic Index of Severity: 7.88). Regarding markers of fat and lean mass, lower values were observed in the activity group when compared to the remission group (p < 0.05). There was a positive correlation regarding the duration of the disease and the anthropometric parameters in patients with active disease. Interestingly, the prevalence of overweight/obese patients was 55% in remission group and 28% in activity group according to the Body Mass Index classification. In addition, lower levels of iron, folic acid and albumin were also observed in Crohn's disease activity group., Conclusions: We observed important differences in nutritional markers between patients in remission and activity phases, with higher prevalence of overweight/obese in patients with remission of the disease., (Copyright © 2019 European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: In spite of the great relevance of abdominal aortic aneurysm, its etiopathogenesis is not fully understood. The biomechanical and histological study of the aortic wall may contribute to this elucidation., Methods: Seventy-five male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups: control (CG), smoker (SG), diabetic (DG), and diabetic + smoker (DSG). The SG and DSG rats were exposed to cigarette smoke for 30 min/day, 5 days a week. Diabetes was induced by the intravenous injection of streptozotocin. After 16 weeks, the abdominal aorta was collected for biomechanical, histological, and matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) activity analyses., Results: The valid biomechanical tests of 52 specimens were analyzed: 11 in the CG, 10 in the DG, 16 in the SG, and 15 in the DSG. The biomechanical analysis of the fragments showed no differences between the control, DG, SG, and DSG. Collagen deposition also did not present a significant difference between the studied groups. The total count of elastic fibers was higher in diabetic rats (DG and DSG) than in the SG. The inflammatory response observed in all experimental groups was significantly more intense than in the CG. Compared to the DSG, MMP-2 activity showed a significant decrease in the DG., Conclusions: Resistance and elasticity did not present a difference between the CG and the DG, SG, and DSG. Compared to the CG, the total count of elastic fibers, fragmentation of the elastic lamina, pericellular matrix deposition, and cell loss/substitution in the tunica media showed significant alterations in the aortic walls of the DG, SG, and DSG. MMP-2 activity was lower in the DG aorta than in the DSG aorta., (© 2019 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element involved in several biological pathways, naturally found in rocks, soils, and food. Even though the daily requirement of Se is achieved through a balanced diet, the use of Se supplements has been frequent. Due to the risk of toxic effects of having Se in excess, supplementation is still under debate. The aim was to evaluate the effects of long-term Se supplementation upon systolic blood pressure (SBP) and redox status of rats exposed to sodium selenite. Male Wistar rats were exposed to 2 and 6 mg/L of sodium selenite in drinking water for 85 days. SBP and body weight were evaluated weekly; oxidative stress biomarkers were measured in blood or plasma; and Se levels were assessed in blood, plasma, kidney, and liver. Se supplementation (2 and 6 mg/L) induced significant increase in the SBP in rats from the 42nd day until the end of the study. This increase on SBP was not associated with significant changes in oxidative stress biomarkers. A significant increase in Se levels was found in whole blood, kidney, and liver from both groups of rats receiving Se supplementation when compared to control. Although the exact mechanisms underlying this augment in SBP are not clear, they are potentially related to other Se biological routes besides the synthesis of selenoproteins, such as GSH-Px. Due to the negative effects upon blood pressure, precautionary measures are advised, since the selling of supplements does not require a medical prescription.

Papillary Thyroid Cancer (PTC) is an endocrine malignancy in which BRAF V600E oncogenic mutation induces the most aggressive phenotype. In this way, considering that lncRNAs are arising as key players in oncogenesis, it is of high interest the identification of BRAF V600E -associated long noncoding RNAs, which can provide possible candidates for secondary mechanisms of BRAF-induced malignancy in PTC. In this study, we identified differentially expressed lncRNAs correlated with BRAF V600E in PTC and, also, extended the cohort of paired normal and PTC samples to more accurately identify differentially expressed lncRNAs between these conditions. Indirectly validated targets of the differentially expressed lncRNAs in PTC compared to matched normal samples demonstrated an involvement in surface receptors responsible for signal transduction and cell adhesion, as well as, regulation of cell death, proliferation and apoptosis. Targets of BRAF V600E -correlated lncRNAs are mainly involved in calcium signaling pathway, ECM-receptor interaction and MAPK pathway. In summary, our study provides candidate lncRNAs that can be either used for future studies related to diagnosis/prognosis or as targets for PTC management.

Antidesmone, isolated from Waltheria brachypetala Turcz., owns special structural features as two α,β-unsaturated carbonyl groups and a side alkyl chain that can compete with the quinones involved in the pool of plastoquinones at photosystem II (PSII). In this work, we showed that the alkaloid is an inhibitor of Hill reaction and its target was located at the acceptor side of PSII. Studies of chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence showed a J-band that indicates direct action of antidesmone in accumulation of Q A - (reduced plastoquinone A) due to the electron transport blocked at the Q B (plastoquinone B) level similar to DCMU. In vivo assays indicated that antidesmone is a selective post-emergent herbicide probe at 300μM by reducing the biomass production of Physalis ixacarpa plants. Furthermore, antidesmone also behaves as pre-emergent herbicide due to inhibit Physalis ixacarpa plant growth about 60%. Antidesmone, a natural product containing a 4(1H)-pyridones scaffold, will serve as a valuable tool in further development of a new class of herbicides., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Urban ants cause many losses to human society, and they represent a potential threat to public health in hospital environments due to their ability to transport pathogenic organisms. We evaluated several ecological parameters (richness, abundance, constancy, and evenness), their fluctuation during the seasons, and identified species that occur outside the natural range of the ant fauna of a hospital environment, as support for future management strategies. Ant sampling was held every 2 months by using attractive bait traps in the morning and evening, leading to the sampling of 10,342 individuals belonging to six subfamilies and 26 species. Myrmicinae showed higher richness (n = 12) and abundance (n = 7336), with Pheidole susannae Forel being the most abundant species. The most constant species (100%) were P. susannae and Tetramorium simillimum (Smith). Among the most abundant species, Monomorium floricola (Jerdon) and Tapinoma melanocephalum (Fabricius) are considered as species that occur outside the natural range. No difference was observed between species richness and abundance. The Shannon (2.247), dominance (0.1395) and evenness indices (0.6897) indicated a stability of the community throughout the year with high diversity and low dominance of species. The sampled data constitute a new series of information on a long-term ecological approach to support future management strategies in hospital environments and allow for more efficient pest control.

Objective: To translate, cross-culturally adapt, and validate a specific questionnaire for the evaluation of celiac children and adolescents, the celiac disease DUX (CDDUX)., Methods: The steps suggested by Reichenheim and Moraes (2007) were followed to obtain conceptual, item, semantic, operational, and measurement equivalences. Four pediatric gastroenterologists; a researcher with tool validation background; three English teachers; and 33 celiac patients, aged 8-18 years, and their caregivers participated in the study. The scores of celiac patients and those obtained from their caregivers were compared. Among the patients, the scores were compared in relation to gender and age., Results: All items were considered relevant to the construct and good semantic equivalence of the version was acquired. During measurement equivalence, the exploratory factor analysis showed appropriate weight of all items and good internal consistency, with Cronbach's α of 0.81. Significant difference was found among the final scores of children and their caregivers. There was no difference among the final scores in relation to gender or age., Conclusion: The questionnaire was translated and adapted according to all the proposed steps, with all equivalences adequately met. It is a valid tool to access the QoL of celiac children and adolescents in the translated language., (Copyright © 2015 Sociedade Brasileira de Pediatria. Published by Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved.)

Unlabelled: To describe a series of 129 consecutive patients submitted to the resection of pituitary tumors using the endoscopic transsphenoidal approach in a public medical center., Method: Retrospective analysis based on the records of patients submitted to the resection of a pituitary tumor through the endoscopic transsphenoidal approach between 2004 and 2009., Results: One hundred and twenty-nine records were analyzed. The tumor was non-secreting in 96 (74.42%) and secreting in 33 patients (22.58%). Out of the secretory tumors, the most prevalent was the growth hormone producer (7.65%), followed by the prolactinoma, (6.98%). Eleven patients developed cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) fistulas, and four of them developed meningitis. One patient died due to intracerebral hemorrhage in the postoperative period., Conclusion: The endoscopic transsphenoidal approach to sellar tumors proved to be safe when the majority of the tumors were non-secreting. The most frequent complication was CSF. This technique can be done even in a public hospital with financial limits, since the health professionals are integrated.

Background: The topical application of mitomycin C has been evaluated as a complementary therapy for eosinophilic nasal polyposis (ENP). However, the mechanism underlying the additional benefits of mitomycin C for the control of eosinophilic inflammation and prevention of posttherapeutic relapse remains to be elucidated. In this work, the aim was to characterize the gene expression profile by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) of proinflammatory and regulatory biomarkers that are typically associated with ENP and to assess the impact of the topical application of mitomycin C on the nasal mucosal tissue immunologic milieu after ENP surgery., Methods: We have selected 20 patients with ENP that were recommended to undergo surgical intervention. Normal mucosal tissue was obtained from healthy nasal mucosa from six patients with absence of eosinophilic infiltration. To test the effect of mitomycin C, one side of the maxillary sinus mucosa was selected for topical application of this drug and the other received no further treatment and acted as the control. The genes interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-5, IL-10, IL-13, chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 5 (CCL5), CCL24, colony-stimulating factor 2 (CSF2), transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFB1), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), and beta actin (ACTB) were selected for gene expression analysis by qPCR., Results: The data showed higher expression of proinflammatory biomarkers and lower levels of regulatory TGFB1 transcripts in ENP mucosal tissue. Surgery with topical application of mitomycin C induced a prominent transcriptional down-regulation of the immunologic biomarkers, CCL24, TNF-alpha, CSF2, and IL-5, in ENP mucosal tissue. Additionally, this treatment restored the levels of chemokines and cytokines to those observed in the nasal mucosal tissue of control subjects, except for TGFB1, which remained below the reference pattern. Moreover, CSF2 was identified as a putative biomarker with significant predictive value for complementary prophylactic purposes after surgery in ENP patients., Conclusion: After the characterization of the expression signatures of immunologic biomarkers in ENP, we observed that the topical use of mitomycin C is important for the reestablishment of the immunologic microenvironment of a normal expression profile of biomarkers involved in ENP mucosal tissue.

This study aims to analyze the integrality of assistance, a principle of the Single Health System (SUS), in the perspective of members of the Family Health team (doctors, dentists and nurses). This is a descriptive study with a qualitative approach, carried out with 47 professionals allotted in nine health care units in the city of Fortaleza, state of Ceará, Brazil. Data collection was done by semi-structured interviews, from August to September, 2008. Content analysis was used to organize and interpret the data. In the results professionals understood integrality as linked to the terms: holism, treatment in the three levels of care, interdisciplinarity and amplified health concept. The polysemy of integrality and its transversality as a SUS principle signal the need to reconsider the many meanings attributed to integrality, increasing the possibilities to discuss the it in the health practice scene.

A site energy distribution function based on a condensation approximation method is proposed for gas-phase adsorption systems following the Toth isotherm. The proposed model is successfully applied to estimate the site energy distribution of three pitch-based activated carbons (PA, PFeA and PBA) developed in our laboratory and also for other common adsorbent materials for different gas molecules. According to the proposed model the site energy distribution curves of the activated carbons are found to be exponential for hydrogen at 77 K. The site energy distribution of some of the activated carbon fibers, ambersorb, Dowex optipore, 13X Zeolite for different adsorbate molecules represents a quasi-Gaussian curve with a widened left hand side, indicating that most sites have adsorption energies lower than a statistical mean value.

Objective: Speech inconsistency is characterised by variable productions of the same lexical items within the same context. This study aimed to describe inconsistencies among Brazilian Portuguese (BP)-speaking children with and without phonological disorder (PD) as well as the effectiveness of a speech inconsistency test (SIT)., Methods: The study sample included children between 5 years 0 months (5;0 years) and 10;10 years of age, both genders, 51 children with PD and 50 without speech-language disorders. The SIT includes 25 pictures, each named 3 times in different sequences within the same session., Results: The inconsistency average of children with PD (27.4%) was higher than that of typically developing children (9.8%). Linear regression showed age and gender effects, receiver operating characteristic curves were built for speech inconsistency with combined gender and age cutoff values. Inconsistent subjects among typically developing children included 2 younger boys and 2 older girls. Inconsistencies were found among children with PD, including 10 boys up to 7;6 years and 11 over this age, and 7 girls up to 7;6 years and 6 over this age., Conclusion: Speech inconsistency in BP-speaking children seems to be an effective measure for differentiating children with PD from those with typically developing phonology., (Copyright © 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Increased risk of hypertension after methylmercury (MeHg) exposure has been suggested. However, the underlying mechanisms are not well explored. In this paper, we have analyzed whether sub-chronic exposure to MeHg increases systolic blood pressure even at very low levels. In addition, we analyzed if the methylmercury-induced hypertension is associated with a decreased plasmatic nitric oxide levels and with a dysregulation of the activities of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), as well as the levels of MDA and glutathione. For this study, Wistar rats were treated with methylmercury chloride (100 microg/kg per day) or vehicle. Total treatment time was 100 days. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and circulating NOx levels and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities were determined in plasma, whereas glutathione levels were determined in erythrocytes. Our results show that long-term treatment at a low level of MeHg affected systolic blood pressure, increasing and reducing the levels of plasmatic MDA and NOx, respectively. However, the activity of SOD did not decrease in the MeHg exposed group when compared to the control. We found a negative correlation between plasmatic nitrite/nitrate (NOx) levels and systolic blood pressure (r = -0.67; P = 0.001), and a positive correlation between MDA and systolic blood pressure (r = 0.61; P = 0.03), thus suggesting increased inhibition of NO formation with the increase of hypertension. In conclusion, long-term exposure to a low dose of MeHg increases the systolic pressure and is associated, at least in part, with increased production of ROS as judged by increased production of malondialdehyde and depressed NO availability.

Workers in Mexico's maquiladoras (assembly plants) are mainly young, single women, many of whom could benefit from emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs). Because ECPs are readily available in Mexico, women who know about the therapy can obtain it easily. Do maquiladora workers know about the method? Could worksite programs help increase awareness? To investigate these questions, we conducted a five-month intervention during which workers in three maquiladoras along the Mexico-United States border could attend educational talks on ECPs, receive pamphlets, and obtain kits containing EC supplies. Among the workers exposed to our intervention, knowledge of ECPs increased. Reported ECP use also increased. Although our intervention apparently increased workers' knowledge and use, the factory proved to be a difficult intervention setting. Problems we experienced included a factory closure and management/staff opposition to certain project elements. Future studies should continue to investigate work-site interventions and other strategies to reach workers.

Background: It has been suggested that obesity is associated with an altered rate of gastric emptying. The objective of the present study was to determine whether the rates of solid and semi-solid gastric emptying differ between morbidly obese patients and lean subjects., Methods: The Gastric-emptying time (GET) of solid and semi-solid meals were compared between lean healthy subjects and morbidly obese patients enrolled in two previously published studies. GET of solid and semi-solid meals was measured using the 13C-octanoic acid breath test and 13C-acetic acid breath test, respectively, in 24 lean and 14 morbidly obese individuals of both sexes. Student t-test was used to compare the mean data between the lean and morbidly obese groups. The influence of sex, gender, BMI and morbid obesity on the GET of solid meals was verified by linear regression analysis., Results: Mean t(1/2) values of solid GET (+/- standard deviation) were 203.6 +/- 76.0 min and 143.5 +/- 19.1 min for lean and obese subjects, respectively (P = 0.0010). Mean t(lag) values of solid GET were 127.3 +/- 42.7 min and 98.4 +/- 13.0 min for lean and obese subjects, respectively (P = -0.0044). No significant difference in semi-solid GET was observed between the lean and morbidly obese groups., Conclusion: The present study demonstrated a significantly enhanced gastric emptying of the solid meal test in morbidly obese patients when compared to lean subjects. This finding is compatible with the hypothesis that rapid gastric emptying in morbidly obese subjects increases caloric intake due to a more rapid loss of satiety.

Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome (MRS) consists of persistent or recurrent orofacial edema, relapsing facial palsy and fissured tongue. The complete triad of symptoms is uncommon, varying from 8 to 25%. The presentation of only one symptom is more common. The most frequent complaint is facial edema and enlargement of the lips. We describe a case of a 17-year-old Brazilian girl with limited edema of the lower lip and fissured tongue due to MRS. Her complaints had started two years before. She referred previous clinical treatments without success. We proposed intralesional injection of triamcinolone at 20 mg every 15 days associated with oral clofazimine at 50 mg/day for three months. The lip became normal after four triamcinolone injections. Recent studies have considered MRS a granulomatous disease, and possibly the initial presentation of Crohn's disease in orofacial area of some patients. MRS patients, therefore, should be screened and monitored for gastrointestinal symptoms. Corticosteroid treatment seems to be effective in reducing lip enlargement. We discuss the clinical features of this disease, the treatment, and the importance of corticosteroid therapy in cases of MRS-related facial palsy.

Unlabelled: Eosinophilic nasosinusal polyposis is a chronic inflammatory infection with elevated infiltration of eosinophils, which presents high rate of recurrence after surgical treatment. The continuous inflammatory process that leads to the formation of polyps requires constant clinical treatment. Contributing to the maintenance of eosinophilia are cytokines IL5 (interleukin-5) and GM-CSF (granulocyte macrophages colony-stimulating factor), which show up in elevated concentrations. These oligoproteins diminish the rate of apoptosis and prolong the survival of eosinophils., Aim: By diminishing these cytokines, the action of Mitomycin C (MMC), an antineoplastic drug which inhibits the synthesis of DNA, was studied. In a recent study the power of this drug to cause apoptosis in eosinophils, in vitro, of nasal polyps was verified., Methodology: A biopsy of the nasal polyps was undertaken in 15 patients carriers of eosinophilic nasosinusal polyposis 24 hours after applying 0.5 mg/ml of MMC during five minutes. RT-PCR (reverse transcription of polymerase chain reaction) for IL5 and GM-CSF was the method used to obtain the results., Results: The comparison of the results of GM-CSF pre- and post-application of MMC, when the paired T-test was used, showed p=0.041 and for IL5 we found p<0.001., Conclusion: Topic use of MMC in patients with eosinophilic nasosinusal polyposis shows statistically significant reduction for GM-CSF and significant and important reduction for IL5.

Plant lectins have insecticidal activity that is probably mediated through their ability to bind carbohydrates. To examine the influence of sugars on the insecticidal activity of a lectin from Talisia esculenta seeds (TEL), the lectin was mixed with mannose, glucose, or mannose plus glucose. Mannose abolished the insecticidal activity. Affinity chromatography showed that TEL bound to midgut proteins of the insect Callosobruchus maculatus. Immunoblotting showed that TEL recognized some proteins, probably glycoproteins, present in the midgut membrane of this insect. The principal proteases responsible for digestive proteolysis in fourth instar larvae of C. maculatus were purified by chromatography on activated thiol-Sepharose. These purified proteases were unable to digest TEL after a 15-h incubation. These results suggest that the insecticidal activity of TEL involves a specific carbohydrate-lectin interaction with glycoconjugates on the surface of digestive tract epithelial cells, as well as binding to assimilatory glycoproteins present in midgut extracts and resistance to enzymatic digestion by cysteine proteinases., (Copyright 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)

We have studied by immunocytochemistry and monoclonal antibodies the presence and localization of estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors, and a 24-kD estrogen-regulated heat shock protein in biopsies from breast and endometrial cancer patients. Three different tissue processing protocols were used to colocalize the antigens in the same tissue sections: a) frozen sections, b) formalin fixation with routine paraffin embedding, and c) picric acid-formaldehyde (PAF) fixation with a rapid embedding in paraffin. Frozen sections showed good receptor staining but poor 24-kD protein immunoreactivity, while routine paraffin sections (with or without DNase pretreatment) were inadequate to reveal the nuclear receptor proteins at the same level seen in frozen sections. On the other hand, all three proteins could be detected satisfactorily in PAF-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue. Using this procedure we were able to visualize 24-kD protein and estrogen receptor or progesterone receptor in individual cells in paraffin sections. The study revealed that in all of the estrogen receptor positive breast and endometrial tumor samples, almost 90% of the cells expressing the cytoplasmic 24-kD protein contained estrogen receptor in the cell nucleus. In contrast, 24-kD immunoreactive cells did not express progesterone receptors in almost 40% of the progesterone receptor positive tumor samples.