Prevalence of depression and anxiety disorders in hospitalized patients at the dermatology clinical ward of a university hospital

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of depression and anxiety disorders in hospitalized patients at the dermatology ward at a university hospital in Sao Paulo, Brazil. OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of mood and anxiety disorders in hospitalized patients at the dermatology ward at a university hospital in Sao Paulo. METHOD: A total of 75 patients, men and women, aged between 18 and 76 years, took part in the research. The study employed a descriptive, cross sectional and correlational method. The data was collected by means of a social demographic questionnaire and the PRIME-MD. RESULTS: It was found that 45.3 percent of the subjects presented with depressive symptoms, and 52 percent presented with symptoms of anxiety and that this survey showed moderate and high significant correlations (p<0,01; r= 0,616) for depression and anxiety. CONCLUSION: These facts could evidence the relationship between physical and psyche, just as the literature presents.

Production of a xylose-stimulated beta-glucosidase and a cellulase-free thermostable xylanase by the thermophilic fungus Humicola brevis var. thermoidea under solid state fermentation

Humicola brevis var. thermoidea cultivated under solid state fermentation in wheat bran and water (1:2 w/v) was a good producer of beta-glucosidase and xylanase. After optimization using response surface methodology the level of xylanase reached 5,791.2 +/- A 411.2 U g(-1), while beta-glucosidase production was increased about 2.6-fold, reaching 20.7 +/- A 1.5 U g(-1). Cellulase levels were negligible. Biochemical characterization of H. brevis beta-glucosidase and xylanase activities showed that they were stable in a wide pH range. Optimum pH for beta-glucosidase and xylanase activities were 5.0 and 5.5, respectively, but the xylanase showed 80 % of maximal activity when assayed at pH 8.0. Both enzymes presented high thermal stability. The beta-glucosidase maintained about 95 % of its activity after 26 h in water at 55 A degrees C, with half-lives of 15.7 h at 60 A degrees C and 5.1 h at 65 A degrees C. The presence of xylose during heat treatment at 65 A degrees C protected beta-glucosidase against thermal inactivation. Xylanase maintained about 80 % of its activity after 200 h in water at 60 A degrees C. Xylose stimulated beta-glucosidase activity up to 1.7-fold, at 200 mmol L-1. The notable features of both xylanase and beta-glucosidase suggest that H. brevis crude culture extract may be useful to compose efficient enzymatic cocktails for lignocellulosic materials treatment or paper pulp biobleaching.

Effects of Natural Radiation, Photosynthetically Active Radiation and Artificial Ultraviolet Radiation-B on the Chloroplast Organization and Metabolism of Porphyra acanthophora var. brasiliensis (Rhodophyta, Bangiales)

We undertook a study of Porphyra acanthophora var. brasiliensis to determine its responses under ambient conditions, photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), and PAR+UVBR (ultraviolet radiation-B) treatment, focusing on changes in ultrastructure, and cytochemistry. Accordingly, control ambient samples were collected in the field, and two different treatments were performed in the laboratory. Plants were exposed to PAR at 60 mu mol photons m(-2) s(-1) and PAR+UVBR at 0.35 W m(-2) for 3 h per day during 21 days of in vitro cultivation. Confocal laser scanning microscopy analysis of the vegetative cells showed single stellate chloroplast in ambient and PAR samples, but in PAR+UVBR-exposed plants, the chloroplast showed alterations in the number and form of arms. Under PAR+UVBR treatment, the thylakoids of the chloroplasts were disrupted, and an increase in the number of plastoglobuli was observed, in addition to mitochondria, which appeared with irregular, disrupted morphology compared to ambient and PAR samples. After UVBR exposure, the formation of carpospores was also observed. Plants under ambient conditions, as well as those treated with PAR and PAR+UVBR, all showed different concentrations of enzymatic response, including glutathione peroxidase and reductase activity. In summary, the present study demonstrates that P. acanthophora var. brasiliensis shows the activation of distinct mechanisms against natural radiation, PAR and PAR+UVBR.

Ward identities in Lifshitz-like field theories

In this work, we develop a normal product algorithm suitable to the study of anisotropic field theories in flat space, apply it to construct the symmetries generators and describe how their possible anomalies may be found. In particular, we discuss the dilatation anomaly in a scalar model with critical exponent z = 2 in six spatial dimensions.

Evaluation of the genetic diversity of Histoplasma capsulatum var. capsulatum isolates from north-eastern Brazil

Since the beginning of the HIV epidemic, there has been a significant increase in the number of histoplasmosis cases in Ceara, a state in north-east Brazil. The lack of epidemiological data on the genotypes circulating in the north-east region shows the importance of more detailed studies on the molecular epidemiology of Histoplasma capsulatum var. capsulatum in this region. Different molecular techniques have been used to better characterize the genetic profile of H. capsulatum var. capsulatum strains. The aim of this study was to analyse the genetic diversity of H. capsulatum var. capsulatum isolates in Fortaleza, the capital of Ceara, through the sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS)1-5.8S-ITS2 region, and establish the molecular profile of these isolates, along with strains from south-east Brazil, by RAPD analysis, featuring the different clusters in those regions. The isolates were grouped into two clusters. Cluster 1 included strains from the south-east and north-east regions with separation of isolates into three distinct subgroups (subgroups 1a, 1 b and 1 c). Cluster 2 included only samples from north-east Brazil. Sequencing of the ITS1 -5.8S-ITS2 region allowed the detection of two major clades, which showed geographical correlation between them and their subgroups. Therefore, it can be concluded that the H. capsulatum var. capsulatum isolates from Ceara have a high degree of genetic polymorphism. The molecular data also confirm that populations of this fungus are composed of different genotypes in Brazil and worldwide.

Effects of neuromuscular electrostimulation in patients with heart failure admitted to ward

Background: Neuromuscular electrostimulation has become a promising issue in cardiovascular rehabilitation. However there are few articles published in the literature regarding neuromuscular electrostimulation in patients with heart failure during hospital stay. Methods: This is a randomized controlled pilot trial that aimed to investigate the effect of neuromuscular electrostimulation in the walked distance by the six-minute walking test in 30 patients admitted to ward for heart failure treatment in a tertiary cardiology hospital. Patients in the intervention group performed a conventional rehabilitation and neuromuscular electrostimulation. Patients underwent 60 minutes of electrostimulation (wave frequency was 20 Hz, pulse duration of 20 us) two times a day for consecutive days until hospital discharge. Results: The walked distance in the six-minute walking test improved 75% in the electrostimulation group (from 379.7 +/- 43.5 to 372.9 +/- 46.9 meters to controls and from 372.9 +/- 62.4 to 500 +/- 68 meters to electrostimulation, p<0.001). On the other hand, the walked distance in the control group did not change. Conclusion: The neuromuscular electrostimulation group showed greater improvement in the walked distance in the six-minute walking test in patients admitted to ward for compensation of heart failure.

Megastigmanes from Aleurites moluccana (L.) Willd. (Euphorbiaceae)

CNPq

Diversity and genetic structure in natural populations of Hancornia speciosa var. speciosa Gomes in northeastern Brazil

Hancornia speciosa Gomes is a fruit tree native from Brazil that belongs to Apocinaceae family, and is popularly known as Mangabeira. Its fruits are widely consumed raw or processed as fruit jam, juices and ice creams, which have made it a target of intense exploitation. The extractive activities and intense human activity on the environment of natural occurrence of H. speciosa has caused genetic erosion in the species and little is known about the ecology or genetic structure of natural populations. The objective of this research was the evaluation of the genetic diversity and genetic structure of H. speciosa var. speciosa. The genetic variability was assessed using 11 allozyme loci with a sample of 164 individuals distributed in six natural populations located in the States of Pernambuco and Alagoas, Northeastern Brazil. The results showed a high level of genetic diversity within the species (e= 0.36) seeing that the most of the genetic variability of H. speciosa var. speciosa is within its natural populations with low difference among populations ( or = 0.081). The inbreeding values within ( = -0.555) and among populations ( =-0.428) were low showing lacking of endogamy and a surplus of heterozygotes. The estimated gene flow ( m ) was high, ranging from 2.20 to 13.18, indicating to be enough to prevent the effects of genetic drift and genetic differentiation among populations. The multivariate analyses indicated that there is a relationship between genetic and geographical distances, which was confirmed by a spatial pattern analysis using Mantel test (r = 0.3598; p = 0.0920) with 1000 random permutations. The high genetic diversity index in these populations indicates potential for in situ genetic conservation.

Potencial do flavedo (epicarpo) de Citrus aurantifolia cv. Tahiti no controle do bolor verde e da antracnose em citros

O Brasil é considerado o maior produtor de citros e o maior exportador de suco de laranja. Doenças de pós-colheita representam uma grande perda para a citricultura, sendo que para a exportação de frutos são rígidas as exigências com relação a isenção de resíduos químicos nos mesmos. Patógenos de importância em pós-colheita de citros incluem o Penicillium digitatum, agente causal do bolor-verde e o Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, agente causal da antracnose. Dada a importância econômica que representam estas doenças dos frutos cítricos, tanto em termos de comprometimento da qualidade e dificuldade de controle, a busca de alternativas adicionais que possam viabilizar a capacidade produtiva e garantir a obtenção de frutos com excelentes padrões de qualidade torna-se imprescindível. Portanto, estudou-se os efeitos dos extratos aquosos do flavedo de Citrus aurantifolia var. Tahiti, Lentinula edodes, Agaricus subrufescens (syn. Agaricus brasiliensis), albedo de Citrus sinensis var. Valência e do ácido jasmônico no controle póscolheita do bolor verde e da antracnose e na indução de resistência em frutos de laranjeira Valência (Citrus sinensis). Foi possível observar que o extrato aquoso do flavedo (C. aurantifolia) apresentou efeito inibitório sobre os patógenos, quando tratados em pós-colheita, em função da redução dos sintomas e esporulação. Porém, os extratos de albedo (C. sinensis), L. edodes, A. subrufescens e o ácido jasmônico não apresentaram efeitos sobre P. digitatum e C. gloeosporioides.

Efeito de restritores hídricos sobre a germinação, comprimento da radícula e níveis de detecção de Colletotrichum gossypii var. cephalosporioides em sementes de algodão

O fungo Colletotrichum gossypii var. cephalosporioides, agente causal da ramulose do algodoeiro, é transmitido pela semente que se constitui em uma das mais importantes fontes de inóculo inicial e de introdução da doença em áreas indenes. Para que se possa identificar sua presença em lotes de sementes, é importante que se empreguem métodos de detecção rápidos e seguros. O mais empregado é o do papel de filtro, que se baseia na avaliação de sinais do patógeno desenvolvidos sobre as sementes, seguida da sua identificação morfológica. O método apresenta a desvantagem do crescimento das plântulas no período de incubação das sementes que pode favorecer o desenvolvimento de outros fungos e prejudicar a caracterização do patógeno. Para minimizar este problema vem sendo empregada a técnica da restrição hídrica. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito de três solutos em dois potenciais osmóticos, comparados ao tratamento padrão de água destilada, ao congelamento e ao 2,4 D, sobre a germinação, comprimento da radícula e detecção do agente causal da ramulose, durante o teste de sanidade. Os solutos Manitol e NaCl foram mais eficientes em inibir a germinação e favorecer a incidência do patógeno no potencial osmótico de -0,8 MPa. O KCl mostrou-se eficiente em inibir a germinação nos dois potenciais osmóticos testados, -0,6 e -0,8 MPa, porém reduziu a incidência do patógeno no potencial de -0,8 MPa. Os solutos Manitol, nos potenciais osmóticos de -0,8 e -0,6 MPa e o NaCl no potencial osmótico de -0,8 foram eficientes em reduzir o comprimento da radícula, sem interferir negativamente nos níveis de detecção de C. gossypii var. cephalosporioides, podendo ser recomendados para uso em análises sanitárias de rotina.