Soroprevalência da infecção chagásica em indivíduos jovens em hemocentro no Estado de São Paulo, Brasil

This study aimed at estimating the number of cases of non-negative serological reactions to Chagas disease in blood donors at the Blood Center of Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil, from 2003 to 2010 and at relating them to their cities of origin. Five hundred and seventy-four non-negative results for Chagas disease were evaluated. Of these, 371 (64.8%) were reagent, and 203 (35.4%) were inconclusive. The prevalence of Chagas disease in blood donors was 0.05%. There were, on average, 72 cases/year, and a prevalence of males was observed (64.8%). Forty-three (7.49%) individuals were 18 to 30 years old; 92 (16.02%) were 31 to 40; 147 (25.61%) 41 to 50, and 292 (50.87%) were older than 50 years. It was observed that 29.3% of females with reagent serology were at their fertile age (18 and 45 years). The majority of donors were originally from cities in the southwestern and central regions of São Paulo, but individuals from other states contributed with 20%. The provenance of most donors was the city of Botucatu/SP, followed by the city of Taquarituba/SP. Therefore, the profile of donors at this blood center favors the occurrence of a larger number of non-negative serological reactions. Although there has been a significant reduction in the number of new cases/year for this disease, it is still a public-health problem, and results suggest the need for new epidemiological assessments in the studied region.

Symptom dimensions, clinical course and comorbidity in men and women with obsessive-compulsive disorder

The study aimed to compare male and female patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) across symptom dimensions, clinical course and comorbidity. A cross-sectional study was undertaken with 858 adult OCD patients (DSM-IV) from the Brazilian Research Consortium on Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum Disorders. Patients were evaluated using structured interviews, including the Dimensional Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (DY-BOCS) and the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I disorders (SCID-I). The sample was composed of 504 women (58.7%) and 354 men (41.3%) with a mean age of 35.4 years-old (range: 18-77). Men were younger, more frequently single and presented more tics, social phobia and alcohol use disorders. Among men, symptom interference occurred earlier and symptoms of the sexual/religious dimension were more common and more severe. Conversely, women were more likely to present symptoms of the aggressive, contamination/cleaning and hoarding dimension and comorbidity with specific phobias, anorexia nervosa, bulimia, trichotillomania, skin picking and compulsive buying. In the logistic regression, female gender remained independently associated with the aggressive and contamination/cleaning dimensions. In both genders the aggressive dimension remained associated with comorbid post-traumatic stress disorder, the sexual/religious dimension with major depression and the hoarding dimension with tic disorders. Gender seems to be relevant in the determination of OCD clinical presentation and course and should be considered an important aspect when defining more homogeneous OCD subgroups. © 2012 Elsevier B.V.

Soroepidemiologia de rotavírus em uma população infantil, Goinia, Goiás, Brasil

Amostras de soro de 125 crianças, com idades entre 0 e 10 anos, da população de Goiânia, Goiás, Brasil, geraram um índice de prevalência de anticorpos para rotavirus (ensaio imunoenzimático) de 82,4%. Aparentemente, o maior risco de infecção pelo vírus se dá no grupo de 1 a 3 anos. Não existe diferença de infecção de acordo com o sexo. Informações soroepidemlológicas a nível nacional, são de grande importância para o melhor conhecimento do comportamento do vírus na população em risco, principalmente quando existe a possibilidade de uma futura imuno-profilaxia. O teste imuno-enzimático em comparação com a contraimuno-eletro-osmoforese, mostrou-se mais sensível para a detecção de anticorpos para rotavirus.

Popularion biology of abdominant fish species of the Santa Bárbara river, a tributary of the Nova Avanhandava reservoir (low Tietê river, São Paulo State, Brazil)

The aim of this study is to characterize some population biology parameters of P. squamosissimus, A. altiparanae and S. maculatus, the dominant fish species of the Santa Bárbara river, a tributary of the Nova Avanhandava reservoir, low Tietê river. Fish samplings were performed monthly between September/2002 and August/2003, using gill nets with different mesh sizes. Females of all species have larger standard lengths than males (Mann-Whitney, p < 0.0001), and are more frequent in superior size classes (Kolmogorov-Smirnov, p < 0.0001). All populations presented isometric growth, but differences between males and females were observed. Only P. squamosissimus presented a gender ratio different from 1:1, with a higher proportion of males (1:2, X2, p < 0.05). The onset of gonadal maturation occurs at 15 cm in P. squamosissimus, 9 cm in S. maculatus and at 8.9 cm in A. altiparanae. In all species populations, the adults predominate over juveniles. The allometric condition factor (K) of P. squamosissimus and S. maculatus presented higher values in the periods from March-May and June-August, and A. altiparanae in the period from March-May (Kruskal-Wallis, p < 0.05). These results indicate that the populations successfully exploit the lentic environment, and present life cycle tactics adapted to their particular means of environment occupation.

Differences and similarities between spontaneous dissections of the internal carotid artery and the vertebral artery

Background and Purpose—To compare potential risk factors, clinical symptoms, diagnostic delay, and 3-month outcome between spontaneous internal carotid artery dissection (sICAD) and spontaneous vertebral artery dissection (sVAD). Methods—We compared patients with sICAD (n=668) and sVAD (n=302) treated in 3 university hospitals. Results—Patients with sICAD were older (46.3±9.6 versus 42.0±10.2 years; P<0.001), more often men (62.7% versus 53.0%; P=0.004), and presented more frequently with tinnitus (10.9% versus 3.4%; P<0.001) and more severe ischemic strokes (median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, 10±7.1 versus 5±5.9; P<0.001). Patients with sVAD had more often bilateral dissections (15.2% versus 7.6%; P<0.001) and were more often smokers (36.0% versus 28.7%; P=0.007). Thunderclap headache (9.2% versus 3.6%; P=0.001) and neck pain were more common (65.8% versus 33.5%; P<0.001) in sVAD. Subarachnoid hemorrhage (6.0% versus 0.6%; P<0.001) and ischemic stroke (69.5% versus 52.2%; P<0.001) were more frequent in sVAD. After multivariate analysis, sex difference lost its significance (P=0.21), and all other variables remained significant. Time to diagnosis was similar in sICAD and sVAD and improved between 2001 and 2012 compared with the previous 10-year period (8.0±10.5 days versus 10.7±13.2 days; P=0.004). In sVAD, favorable outcome 3 months after ischemic stroke (modified Rankin Scale, 0–2: 88.8% versus 58.4%; P<0.001), recurrent transient ischemic attack (4.8% versus 1.1%; P=0.001), and recurrent ischemic stroke (2.8% versus 0.7%; P=0.02) within 3 months were more frequent. Conclusions—sICAD and sVAD patients differ in many aspects. Future studies should perform separate analyses of these 2 entities.

Genetic and hormonal factors modulate spreading depression and transient hemiparesis in mouse models of familial hemiplegic migraine type 1.

Familial hemiplegic migraine type 1 (FHM1) is an autosomal dominant subtype of migraine with aura that is associated with hemiparesis. As with other types of migraine, it affects women more frequently than men. FHM1 is caused by mutations in the CACNA1A gene, which encodes the alpha1A subunit of Cav2.1 channels; the R192Q mutation in CACNA1A causes a mild form of FHM1, whereas the S218L mutation causes a severe, often lethal phenotype. Spreading depression (SD), a slowly propagating neuronal and glial cell depolarization that leads to depression of neuronal activity, is the most likely cause of migraine aura. Here, we have shown that transgenic mice expressing R192Q or S218L FHM1 mutations have increased SD frequency and propagation speed; enhanced corticostriatal propagation; and, similar to the human FHM1 phenotype, more severe and prolonged post-SD neurological deficits. The susceptibility to SD and neurological deficits is affected by allele dosage and is higher in S218L than R192Q mutants. Further, female S218L and R192Q mutant mice were more susceptible to SD and neurological deficits than males. This sex difference was abrogated by ovariectomy and senescence and was partially restored by estrogen replacement, implicating ovarian hormones in the observed sex differences in humans with FHM1. These findings demonstrate that genetic and hormonal factors modulate susceptibility to SD and neurological deficits in FHM1 mutant mice, providing a potential mechanism for the phenotypic diversity of human migraine and aura.

EFFECTS OF TETRAHYDROCANNABINOL ON SEXUAL DIMORPHISM OF RAT LIVER MIXED FUNCTION OXIDASE

Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were gavaged with vehicle (olive oil) or 37.5, 75, 150 or 300 mg/kg of (DELTA)('9)-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on days 18 or 19 of gestation. Male offspring as well as a group of hypophysectomized rats (positive control) were sacrificed at 35 days of age, while females and hypophysectomized control were sacrificed at 36 days of age. The sex-differences in ethylmorphine-N-demethylase and aniline hydroxylase liver activities were evaluated.^ Ethylmorphine-N-demethylase activity showed a significant difference between males and females from control and 37.5, 75 and 150 mg/kg THC dosed groups. Female offspring exposed prenatally to 300 mg/kg THC had a significant increase (p < .01) in N-demethylation activity, while their male counterparts had similar enzyme activity to those found in the male groups from control and 37.5 to 150 mg/kg THC dosed. Moreover, the percent increase in the 300 mg/kg THC dosed females was similar to that detected in the hypophysectomized female rats (positive control). As expected no sex difference in aniline hydroxylase activity was detected in control as well as exposed groups, including the 300 mg/kg THC dosed group.^ It is concluded that (DELTA)('9)-Tetrahydrocannabinol administered once by gavage in days 18 or 19 of gestation alters the liver Mixed Function Oxidase (MFO) sexual dimorphism imprinting process of the rat. ^

Kvinnligt och manligt på sociala medier : En kvantitativ studie om medieanvändning och negativa känslor

In the present study the use and experience of using social media was examined in men and women in order to evaluate a possible relationship to gender. Particular emphasis was placed upon negative emotions. A questionnaire was constructed and submitted via Facebook by an online survey. There were 61 women and 50 men who completed the questionnaire. It was found that women and men used social media similarly with regard to frequency and the kind of social media they approached. Both genders used social media on a daily basis and both had profiles on the most popular social network sites as Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Snapchat. The main purpose for using social media was to maintain already established friend relationships and to take part of other peoples content. A majority of the women but not the men used blogs, whereas a majority of the men but not the women used Twitter more frequently. The study also indicated a sex difference concerning the contents they took part of in the social media. More women took part of content that was related to a female stereotypic image whereas more men took part of content that was related to a male stereotypic image. There was no gender difference concerning contents such as fashion, entertainment, humour, news or politics. In the women there was a significant relationship between the use of social media and negative emotions. However, in the men, such a relationship was not found. The results indicate that more women tend to experience negative emotions when active on social media. More women experienced life as meaningless and boring, as well as stress after consuming contents in social media. They also did compare their life with others on social media leaving them with negative feelings. Such relationships could not be found in the men. In conclusion the present study indicated that for many aspects the use of social media is similar in women and men. However there seems to be a difference with regard to the experience of negative emotions in relation to the use of social media in women but not in men. 

Sexual dimorphism of the femoral neck during the adolescent growth spurt: a structural analysis

Before puberty, there are only small sex differences in body shape and composition. During adolescence, sexual dimorphism in bone, lean, and fat mass increases, giving rise to the greater size and strength of the male skeleton. The question remains as to whether there are sex differences in bone strength or simply differences in anthropometric dimensions. To test this, we applied hip structural analysis (HSA) to derive strength and geometric indices of the femoral neck using bone densitometry scans (DXA) from a 6-year longitudinal study in Canadian children. Seventy boys and sixty-eight girls were assessed annually for 6 consecutive years. At the femoral neck, cross-sectional area (CSA, an index of axial strength), subperiosteal width (SPW), and section modulus (Z, an index of bending strength) were determined, and data were analyzed using a hierarchical (random effects) modeling approach. Biological age (BA) was defined as years from age at peak height velocity (PHV). When BA, stature, and total-body lean mass (TB lean) were controlled, boys had significantly higher Z than girls at all maturity levels (P < 0.05). Controlling height and TB lean for CSA demonstrated a significant independent sex by BA interaction effect (P < 0.05). That is, CSA was greater in boys before PHV but higher in girls after PHV The coefficients contributing the greatest proportion to the prediction of CSA, SPW, and Z were height and lean mass. Because the significant sex difference in Z was relatively small and close to the error of measurement, we questioned its biological significance. The sex difference in bending strength was therefore explained by anthropometric differences. In contrast to recent hypotheses, we conclude that the CSA-lean ratio does not imply altered mechanosensitivity in girls because bending dominates loading at the neck, and the Z-lean ratio remained similar between the sexes throughout adolescence. That is, despite the greater CSA in girls, the bone is strategically placed to resist bending; hence, the bones of girls and boys adapt to mechanical challenges in a similar way. (C) 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Lung cancer rates in men and women with comparable histories of smoking

Background: Recent case-control studies suggest that, given equal smoking exposure, women may have a higher relative risk of developing lung cancer than men. Despite prospective data that conflict with this hypothesis, mechanistic studies to find a biologic basis for a sex difference continue. Methods: We addressed the hypothesis directly by analyzing prospective data from former and current smokers in two large cohorts-the Nurses' Health Study of women and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study of men. We calculated incidence rates and hazard ratios of lung cancer in women compared with men, adjusting for age, number of cigarettes smoked per day, age at start of smoking, and time since quitting, using Cox proportional hazards models. We also reviewed published results from prospective analyses. Results: From 1986 through 2000, 955 and 311 primary lung cancers were identified among 60 296 women and 25 397 men, respectively, who ranged in age from 40 to 79 years. Incidence rates per 100 000 person-years for women and men were 253 and 232, respectively, among current smokers and 81 and 73, respectively, among former smokers. The hazard ratio in women ever smokers compared with men was 1.11 (95% confidence interval = 0.95 to 1.31). Six published prospective cohort studies allowed assessment of comparative susceptibility to lung cancer by sex. None supported an excess risk of lung cancer for women. Conclusions: Women do not appear to have a greater susceptibility to lung cancer than men, given equal smoking exposure. Research should be focused on enhancing preventive interventions for all.

Order of instruction effects - do they make a difference when teaching senior chemistry with computer based visualizations?

This study investigated whether conceptual development is greater if students learning senior chemistry hear teacher explanations and other traditional teaching approaches first then see computer based visualizations or vice versa. Five Canadian chemistry classes, taught by three different teachers, studied the topics of Le Chatelier’s Principle and dynamic chemical equilibria using scientific visualizations with the explanation and visualizations in different orders. Conceptual development was measured using a 12 item test based on the Chemistry Concepts Inventory. Data was obtained about the students’ abilities, learning styles (auditory, visual or kinesthetic) and sex, and the relationships between these factors and conceptual development due to the teaching sequences were investigated. It was found that teaching sequence is not important in terms of students’ conceptual learning gains, across the whole cohort or for any of the three subgroups.

The effect of Tenofovir on vitamin D metabolism in HIV-infected adults is dependent on sex and ethnicity

Background: Tenofovir has been associated with renal phosphate wasting, reduced bone mineral density, and higher parathyroid hormone levels. The aim of this study was to carry out a detailed comparison of the effects of tenofovir versus non-tenofovir use on calcium, phosphate and, vitamin D, parathyroid hormone (PTH), and bone mineral density. Methods: A cohort study of 56 HIV-1 infected adults at a single centre in the UK on stable antiretroviral regimes comparing biochemical and bone mineral density parameters between patients receiving either tenofovir or another nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor. Principal Findings: In the unadjusted analysis, there was no significant difference between the two groups in PTH levels (tenofovir mean 5.9 pmol/L, 95% confidence intervals 5.0 to 6.8, versus non-tenofovir; 5.9, 4.9 to 6.9; p = 0.98). Patients on tenofovir had significantly reduced urinary calcium excretion (median 3.01 mmol/24 hours) compared to non-tenofovir users (4.56; p,0.0001). Stratification of the analysis by age and ethnicity revealed that non-white men but not women, on tenofovir had higher PTH levels than non-white men not on tenofovir (mean difference 3.1 pmol/L, 95% CI 5.3 to 0.9; p = 0.007). Those patients with optimal 25-hydroxyvitamin D (.75 nmol/L) on tenofovir had higher 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)2D] (median 48 pg/mL versus 31; p = 0.012), fractional excretion of phosphate (median 26.1%, versus 14.6;p = 0.025) and lower serum phosphate (median 0.79 mmol/L versus 1.02; p = 0.040) than those not taking tenofovir. Conclusions: The effects of tenofovir on PTH levels were modified by sex and ethnicity in this cohort. Vitamin D status also modified the effects of tenofovir on serum concentrations of 1,25(OH)2D and phosphate.