Biotype stability of Candida albicans isolates after culture storage determined by randomly amplified polymorphic DNA and phenotypical methods

P>Typing methods to evaluate isolates in relation to their phenotypical and molecular characteristics are essential in epidemiological studies. In this study, Candida albicans biotypes were determined before and after storage in order to verify their stability. Twenty C. albicans isolates were typed by Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD), production of phospholipase and proteinase exoenzymes (enzymotyping) and morphotyping before and after 180 days of storage in Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) and sterilised distilled water. Before the storage, 19 RAPD patterns, two enzymotypes and eight morphotypes were identified. The fragment patterns obtained by RAPD, on the one hand, were not significantly altered after storage. On the other hand, the majority of the isolates changed their enzymotype and morphotype after storage. RAPD typing provided the better discriminatory index (DI) among isolates (DI = 0.995) and maintained the profile identified, thereby confirming its utility in epidemiological surveys. Based on the low reproducibility observed after storage in SDA and distilled water by morphotyping (DI = 0.853) and enzymotyping (DI = 0.521), the use of these techniques is not recommended on stored isolates.

Bioactive Chemical Constituents and Comparative Antimicrobial Activity of Callus Culture and Adult Plant Extracts from Alternanthera tenella

Crude extracts of a callus culture (two culture media) and adult plants (two collections) from Alternanthera tenella Colla (Amaranthaceae) were evaluated for their antibacterial and antifungal activity, in order to investigate the maintenance of antimicrobial activity of the extracts obtained from plants in vivo and in vitro. The antibacterial and antifungal activity was determined against thirty strains of microorganisms including Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, yeasts and dermatophytes. Ethanolic and hexanic extracts of adult plants collected during the same period of the years 1997 and 2002 [Ribeirao Preto (SP), collections 1 and 2] and obtained from plant cell callus culture in two different hormonal media (AtT43 and AtT11) inhibited the growth of bacteria, yeasts and dermatophytes with inhibition halos between 6 and 20 mm. For the crude extracts of adult plants bioassay-guided fractionation, purification, and isolation were performed by chromatographic methods, and the structures of the isolated compounds were established by analysis of chemical and spectral evidences (UV, IR, NMR and ES-MS). Steroids, saponins and flavonoids (aglycones and C-glycosides) were isolated. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the isolated compounds varied from 50 to 500 mu g/mL.

The impact of life stage and societal culture on subordinate influence ethics: A study of Brazil, China, Germany, and the US

In this paper, we investigate the effects of societal values and life stage on subordinate influence ethics. Based on the evolving crossvergence theory of macro-level predictors of values evolution, we demonstrate the applicability of crossvergence theory in the micro-level context. Furthermore, our study provides the first empirical multi-level analysis of influence ethics utilizing a multi pie-country sample. Thus, we illustrate how the breath of crossvergence can be expanded to provide a multi-level theoretical foundation of values and behavior evolution across cultures. Specifically, we integrate micro-level life stage theory and macro-level societal culture theory to concurrently assess the contributions of each theory in explaining subordinate influence ethics across the diverse societies of Brazil. China, Germany and the U.S. Consistent with previous research, we found significant societal differences in influence ethics. However, we also found that life stage theory played a significant role in understanding influence ethics. Thus, our findings expand the crossvergence perspective on societal change, indicating that key micro-level predictors (e.g., life stage) should be included in cross-cultural research. (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Formation Of The Maritime Labor Force In Brazil: Culture And Daily Life, Tradition And Resistance (1808-1850).

Formation Of The Maritime Labor Force In Brazil: Culture And Daily Life, Tradition And Resistance (1808-1850). Since the 16(th) Century, Brazil has played a major role in the rise of a new economical and social order, in which ships represented a space of struggle and contradictions among rulers, captains and sailors. This article will study the proletarization process that transformed Indians, small farmers, free and slave black people in maritime labor force in Brazil during the first half of 19(th) century.

Effect of Musculoskeletal Pain on Sexuality of Male Adolescents and. Adults with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

Objective. To develop a questionnaire for the evaluation of sexuality of male patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Methods. A cohort of male patients with rheumatoid factor (RF)-negative polyarticular. JIA according to the 2004 revised ILAR criteria and inactive disease was Studied. The Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) was applied to all patients. As a control group, 120 age-matched males of the same socioeconomic status were evaluated. A self-administered Structured instrument, the Male Sexual Evaluation Questionnaire (MSEQ), was developed by multiprofessional experts to assess sexual life, including satisfaction, practice. and related functional aspects. Results. Thirty-two male patients with RF-negative polyarticular JIA [mean age 20.8 +/- 3.8 yrs (range 16-26), mean disease duration 15.4 +/- 3.6 yrs (range 13-20)] were studied. Mean HAQ score was 1.25 +/- 0.67 (range 0.1-2.1). Masturbation was practiced similarly by patients and controls (87.5% vs 91%; p > 0.999), although joint pain was observed in only 2 (7%) patients. Regular sexual intercourse (>= once/week) was reported by 78% of patients and 62% of controls (p = 0.86). Joint pain during intercourse was more frequent in patients (48% vs 3% in controls; p < 0.001). The mean HAQ score was higher in the 12 patients with,joint pain (hips = 3, knees = 5, and hips + knees = 4) during intercourse compared to the 13 patients without joint pain (1.82 +/- 0.27 vs 1.43 +/- 0.32; p < 0.05). Preserved desire and satisfaction were universal findings for all JIA patients and controls. Conclusion. The MSEQ was applicable to this cohort of male patients with RF-negative polyarticular JIA and showed that sexual life is preserved despite longterm disease, morbidity/functional dysfunction, and joint pain. (First Release May 1 2009: J Rheumatol 2009;36: 1337-42; doi: 10.3899/jrheum.080867)

Effects of Perilipin (PLIN) Gene Variation on Metabolic Syndrome Risk and Weight Loss in Obese Children and Adolescents

Context: Genetic polymorphisms at the perilipin (PLIN) locus have been investigated for their potential utility as markers for obesity and metabolic syndrome (MS). We examined in obese children and adolescents (OCA) aged 7-14 yr the association of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) at the PLIN locus with anthropometric, metabolic traits, and weight loss after 20-wk multi-disciplinary behavioral and nutritional treatment without medication. Design: A total of 234 OCA [body mass index (BMI = 30.4 +/- 4.4 kg/m(2); BMI Z-score = 2.31 +/- 0.4) were evaluated at baseline and after intervention. We genotyped four SNPs (PLIN1 6209T -> C, PLIN4 11482G -> A, PLIN5 13041A -> G, and PLIN6 14995A -> T). Results: Allele frequencies were similar to other populations, PLIN1 and PLIN4 were in linkage disequilibrium (D` = 0.999; P < 0.001). At baseline, no anthropometric differences were observed, but minor allele A at PLIN4 was associated with higher triglycerides (111 +/- 49 vs. 94 +/- 42 mg/dl; P = 0.003), lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (40 +/- 9 vs. 44 +/- 10 mg/dl; P = 0.003) and higher homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (4.0 +/- 2.3 vs. 3.5 +/- 2.1; P +/- 0.015). Minor allele A at PLIN4 was associated with MS risk (age and sex adjusted) hazard ratio 2.4 (95% confidence interval = 1.1-4.9) for genotype GA and 3.5 (95% confidence interval = 1.2-9.9) for AA. After intervention, subjects carrying minor allele T at PLIN6 had increased weight loss (3.3 +/- 3.7 vs. 1.9 +/- 3.4 kg; P = 0.002) and increased loss of the BMI Z-score (0.23 +/- 0.18 vs. 0.18 +/- 0.15; P +/- 0.003). Due to group size, risk of by-chance findings cannot be excluded. Conclusion: The minor A allele at PLIN4 was associated with higher risk of MS at baseline, whereas the PLIN6 SNP was associated with better weight loss, suggesting that these polymorphisms may predict outcome strategies based on multidisciplinary treatment for OCA. (J Clin Endocrinol Metab 93: 4933-4940, 2008)

Binge eating symptoms, diet composition and metabolic characteristics of obese children and adolescents

This study aimed to determine the occurrence of symptoms of binge eating (BE) among children and adolescents seeking treatment for their obesity, as well as to evaluate their diet composition and metabolic characteristics. The Binge Eating scale (BES) was answered by 128 children and adolescents (10.77 +/- 2.04 years, BMI 29.15 +/- 4.98 kg/m(2), BMI Z score 2.28 +/- 0.46, 53.91% pubescent), who were classified into two subgroups-binge eaters (score greater than or equal to IS points) and non-binge eaters (score lower than 18 points). Anthropometric data, body composition and Tanner stages were collected and dietary evaluation conducted. Blood pressure was determined, and glucose, lipid profile and insulin assays were performed. insulin resistance was determined using HOMA-IR. BE symptoms were present in 39.06% of patients. Carbohydrate intake in diet composition was significantly higher among binge eaters. Children with BE did not demonstrate significant dissimilar metabolic characteristics when compared to their counterparts without BE. Therefore, BE seems to be a prevalent problem among children and adolescents seeking help for their obesity. When associated with obesity, this eating behaviour can influence macronutrient consumption through increased carbohydrate intake. Further research would be valuable to verify the reproducibility of these findings. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Psychosocial pathways to inconsistent condom use among male sex workers: personality, drug misuse and criminality

Background: This research compared street male sex workers in Santo Andre, Brazil, that reported consistent condom use with those that revealed inconsistent condom use with their clients, concerning personality aspects, impulsiveness, alcohol and drug consumption, depressive symptoms, sociodemographic data and criminal involvement. Methods: Eighty-six male sex workers were evaluated in face-to-face interviews at their place of work. A `snowball` sampling procedure was used to access this hard-to-reach population. Findings: Male sex workers with inconsistent condom use showed greater involvement with criminal activities, higher reward dependence level and more frequent self-report of being HIV-positive. Conclusions: Conceptualisation of male sex workers` psychological characteristics may be required where HIV risk is not only attributed to sex work per se, but to other aspects such as personality-related factors and negative identity.

Nutrition-related habits and associated factors of Brazilian adolescents

To investigate the nutrition-related habits (NRH) of Brazilian adolescents and evaluate the associations with risk factors. Cross-sectional school-based was carried out among high school adolescents aged 14-18 years (n = 1,759) from public and private schools from two cities. The NRH were investigated by the weekly consumption of vegetables, fruit, sweet food and fried food. Risk factors investigated were: city, sex, age, socioeconomic status and nutritional status. In statistics, Poisson regression was used with robust variance adjustment. Data indicated low consumption of fruits and vegetables, 70.0 and 71.0%, respectively, and high consumption of sweets and fried food, 66.7 and 63%, respectively. Boys showed risk of inadequate intake of vegetables [prevalence ratios (PR) 1.10, 95% CI 1.01-1.16] and fruit (PR 1.09, 95% CI 1.01-1.16). Furthermore, adolescents who live in Maringa had greater likelihood of consuming vegetables and fruit (20 and 25%, respectively). However, they presented risk of inadequate consumption of sweets (PR 1.19, 95% CI 1.11-1.28) for adolescents who live in Presidente Prudente. We concluded that inadequate NRH show high prevalence among adolescents and indicate the need to employ educational strategies that promote the adoption of more healthy habits and behaviors.

Measurements of adipocity and high blood pressure among children and adolescents living in Belo Horizonte

Objective: To verify an association, if it exists, between obesity and blood pressure raised beyond the 90th percentile in children and adolescents, and to determine the measure of adiposity that best correlates with blood pressure in these subjects. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: A school-based study in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Participants: We selected randomly 1,403 students, aged from 6 to 18 years, from 545,046 students attending 521 public and private schools. Those selected completed the study. Main measures of outcome: We recorded the weight, height, skin fold in the triceps, subscapular, and suprailiac areas, waist and hip circumference, body-mass index, and resting systolic and diastolic blood pressures using a mercury sphygmomanometer. Results: In univariate analyses, body mass index greater or lesser than 85th percentile, measurements of skin thickness in the subscapular and suprailiac areas, and the sum of all measurements of skinfold thickness, were associated with both systolic and diastolic measurements of blood pressure. After multivariate analyses that adjusted for all measurements of adiposity except itself, and age, race, and socioeconomic state, we found that the increased body mass index was associated with a 3.6-fold increased frequency of elevated systolic measurements of blood pressure, with 9596 confidence intervals from 2.2 to 5.8, and a 2.7-fold increased frequency of elevated measurements of diastolic blood pressure, with 95% confidence intervals from 1.9 to 4.0. Conclusions: Body-mass index serves as a better predictor of elevated blood pressure among children than do local measurements of adiposity.

Distribution of HDL-cholesterol and non-HDL-cholesterol in Brazilian children and adolescents - The Floripa study

Background and aims: HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) and non-HDL-cholesterol (nHDL-C) are involved in atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to determine the distribution of HDL-C and nHDL-C and its association with cardiovascular and socio-cultural variables in a pediatric Brazilian sample. Methods and results: Children and adolescents from Florianopolis were randomly selected and a structured questionnaire was administered, a physical examination was performed and a blood sample was collected. Enzymatic and Direct methods in vitro were used to determine the total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol levels. The associations among HDL-C and nHDL-C and the described variables were tested by odds ratio and logistic regression. A total of 1009 individuals were examined. Based on the Brazilian criteria, 23% were classified with low levels of HDL-C and 25% with high levels of non-HDL-C. After multivariate analysis there were significant associations among low HDL-C and high C-reactive protein (OR, 3.3; 95% CI, 2.1-5.2), paternal tobacco use (OR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.1-2.1), and high triceps-to-subscapular index (OR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.1-2.2). There were also significant associations among high nHDL-C and high waist circumference (OR, 1.95; 95% CI, 1.16-3.29), black skin color (OR, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.06-3.06), and high income (OR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.09-2.02). Conclusions: In this sample, low levels of HDL-C were associated with other clinical variables such as a centripetal fat pattern and C-reactive protein, and n-HDL-C was associated with abdominal obesity, skin color and economic class. (C) 2009 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.

Causes of death and cardiovascular complications in adolescents and adults with congenitally malformed hearts: an autopsy study of 102 cases

Objectives: To identify the causes of death and main cardiovascular complications in adolescents and adults with congenitally malformed hearts. Design: Retrospective review of 102 necropsy reports from a tertiary centre obtained over a period of 19 years. Methods: The diagnosis, the operated or non-operated state of the main defect, the cause of death, and main complications were related to the age and gender. Other clinically relevant conditions, and identifiable sequels of previous diseases, were also noted. Results: The ages ranged from 15 to 69 years, with a mean of 31.1 and a median of 28 years, with no difference detected according to the gender. Of the patients, two-thirds had been submitted to at least one cardiac surgery. The mean age of death was significantly higher in non-operated patients (p = 0.003). The most prevalent cause of death in the whole group was related to recent surgery, found in one-third. From them, two-fifths corresponded to reoperations. Among the others, cardiac failure was the main terminal cause in another third, and the second cause was pulmonary thromboembolism in just over one-fifth, presenting a significant association with histopathological signs of pulmonary hypertension (p = 0.011). Infection was the cause of death in 7.8% of the patients, all previously operated. Acute infective endocarditis was present or was the indication for the recent surgery in one-tenth of the patients, this cohort having a mean age of 27.8 years. There was a statistically significant association between the occurrence of endocarditis and defects causing low pulmonary blood flow (p = 0.043). Conclusions: Data derived from necropsies of adults with congenital heart defects can help the multidisciplinary team refine both their diagnosis and treatment.

Metabolic differences between male and female adolescents with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, as detected by ultrasound

Background: Age, developmental stage and gender are risk factors for paediatric non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Aims: The aim of this study was to identify differences in clinical or laboratory variables between sexes in adolescents with NAFLD. Methodology: Ninety obese adolescents including 36 males and 54 females were evaluated. Inclusion criteria for this study were a Body Mass Index above the 95th percentile, as set forth by the National Center for Health Statistics, and an age of 10-19 years. A clinical and laboratory evaluation was conducted for all adolescents. Results: The variables that were found to be predictive of NAFLD in adolescence were visceral fat, Aminotransferase, Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase, triglyderides, cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol. We also observed that cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol variables were influenced by gender, i.e. there was a significant statistical difference in the values of these variables between male and female adolescents. With regard to cholesterol serum concentrations, the risk was 6.99 times greater for females, compared with 1.2 times for males; and for LDL-cholesterol serum concentrations the risk was 8.15 times greater for females, compared with and 1.26 times for males. Conclusion: Female adolescents with NAFLD showed a significantly different metabolic behaviour than males.

Child psychiatry takes to the streets: A developmental partnership between a university institute and children and adolescents from the streets of Sao Paulo, Brazil

Objective: High levels of domestic violence, mental illness, and alienation from authorities are associated with high incidence of children/adolescents living on the streets in low and middle income countries. The Equilibrium Project (Programa Equilibrio) was created to facilitate social reintegration through a virtual partnership between an academic psychiatric institute and highly vulnerable children and adolescents living on the streets, in group shelter with supervision, and in other high risk situations. Methods: Descriptive presentation of qualitative data and analysis of preliminary empirical data collected over a 24-month period. Results: Dialogue between academic professionals, street children, and city officials shaped The Equilibrium Project over the last 2 years. The program has progressively moved from a professional clinic setting to a community-based but protected activity center with recreational and professional services and an emphasis on linkage with social service agencies, city government and law enforcement officials in an academic research context. A total of 351 patients have been served of whom virtually all were neglected by their parents, 58.4% report physical or sexual abuse, 88.89% have been diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder, 40.4% drug use. After 2 years of operation, 63.5% (n = 223) successfully completed or continue in treatment and 34.8% (n = 122) were reunited with their families. Conclusions and Practice implications: Program development guided by consumer input led to a successful program offering professional services in a protected community setting that facilitates social reintegration by providing ""go between"" services integrating relationships between alienated consumers and formal psychiatric, pediatric, social service, and criminal justice systems. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

ADHD in a representative sample of the Brazilian population: estimated prevalence and comparative adequacy of criteria between adolescents and adults according to the item response theory

Background: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a clinically significant disorder in adulthood, but current diagnostic criteria and instruments do not seem to adequately capture the complexity of the disorder in this developmental phase. Accordingly, there are limited data on the proportion of adults affected by the disorder, specially in developing countries. Method: We assessed a representative household sample of the Brazilian population for ADHD with the Adult ADHD Self-report Scale (ASRS) Screener, and evaluated the instrument according to the Rasch model of item response theory. Results: The sample was comprised by 3007 individuals, and the overal prevalence of positive screeners for ADHD was 5.8% [95% confidence interval (CI), 4.8-7.0]. Rasch analyses revealed the misfitt of the overall sample to expectations of the model. The evaluation of the sample stratified by age revealed that data for adolescents showed a signficant fittnes to the model expectations, while items completed by adults were not adequated. Conclusions: The lack of fitness to the model for adult respondents challenges the possibility of a linear transformation of the ordinal data into interval measures and the utilization of parametric analyses of data. This result suggests that diagnostic criteria and instruments for adult ADHD must take into account a developmental perspective. Moreover, it calls for further evaluation of currently employed research methods in light of modern theories of psychometrics. Copyright (C) 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.