Predictive factors of non-deterioration of glucose tolerance following a 2-year behavioral intervention

Aim: To identify predictive factors associated with non-deterioration of glucose metabolism following a 2-year behavioral intervention in Japanese-Brazilians. Methods: 295 adults (59.7% women) without diabetes completed 2-year intervention program. Characteristics of those who maintained/improved glucose tolerance status (non-progressors) were compared with those who worsened (progressors) after the intervention. In logistic regression analysis, the condition of non-progressor was used as dependent variable. Results: Baseline characteristics of non-progressors (71.7%) and progressors were similar, except for the former being younger and having higher frequency of disturbed glucose tolerance and lower C-reactive protein (CRP). In logistic regression, non-deterioration of glucose metabolism was associated with disturbed glucose tolerance impaired fasting glucose or impaired glucose tolerance - (p < 0.001) and CRP levels <= 0.04 mg/dL (p = 0.01), adjusted for age and anthropometric variables. Changes in anthropometry and physical activity and achievement of weight and dietary goals after intervention were similar in subsets that worsened or not the glucose tolerance status. Conclusion: The whole sample presented a homogeneous behavior during the intervention. Lower CRP levels and diagnosis of glucose intolerance at baseline were predictors of non-deterioration of the glucose metabolism after a relatively simple intervention, independent of body adiposity.

Prognostic Factors in Patients with Malignant Salivary Gland Neoplasms in a Brazilian Population

Due to the difficulty of follow-up for long periods, information about the survival rates of malignant salivary gland tumors is deficient in the global scientific literature. This study was aimed at investigating the epidemiological profile and prognostic factors that might affect survival in patients with primary malignant salivary gland tumors in Brazil. Patients were investigated regarding histopathological subtypes, age, gender, anatomic localization, smoking and alcohol intake, tumor size, clinical stage, histological grade, recurrence, metastasis, and treatment on clinicopathological outcomes. Survival curves were generated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and both univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using the log rank test and Cox regression, respectively. A total of 63 cases were analyzed, females beingslightly predominant (50.8%), with ages ranging from 13 to 87 years. The most common diagnosis was adenoid cystic carcinoma and the most affected anatomical location was the parotid. Tumors were predominantly classified as stage I and high-grade at the diagnosis. The 5- and 10-year overall survival rates were 84.6% and 74.7%, respectively. Disease-free survival (DFS) rates were 71.6% (5 years) and 56.6% (10 years). Univariate analysis showed significant effects of tumor size and clinical stage on the DFS (P < 0.0001 for both), and Cox regression analysis confirmed clinical stage as an independent prognostic factor (P = 0.035). Our results highlight the relevance of clinical stage as an independent prognostic parameter for malignant salivary gland tumors.

Dispersive analysis of KL mu 3 and KLe3 scalar and vector form factors using KTeV data

Using the published KTeV samples of K(L) -> pi(+/-)e(-/+)nu and K(L) -> pi(+/-)mu(-/+)nu decays, we perform a reanalysis of the scalar and vector form factors based on the dispersive parametrization. We obtain phase-space integrals I(K)(e) = 0.15446 +/- 0.00025 and I(K)(mu) = 0.10219 +/- 0.00025. For the scalar form factor parametrization, the only free parameter is the normalized form factor value at the Callan-Treiman point (C); our best-fit results in InC = 0.1915 +/- 0.0122. We also study the sensitivity of C to different parametrizations of the vector form factor. The results for the phase-space integrals and C are then used to make tests of the standard model. Finally, we compare our results with lattice QCD calculations of F(K)/F(pi) and f(+)(0).

Nuclear modification factors of phi mesons in d plus Au, Cu plus Cu, and Au plus Au collisions at root s(NN)=200 GeV

The PHENIX experiment at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider has performed systematic measurements of phi meson production in the K(+)K(-) decay channel at midrapidity in p + p, d + Au, Cu + Cu, and Au + Au collisions at root s(NN) = 200 GeV. Results are presented on the phi invariant yield and the nuclear modification factor R(AA) for Au + Au and Cu + Cu, and R(dA) for d + Au collisions, studied as a function of transverse momentum (1 < p(T) < 7 GeV/c) and centrality. In central and midcentral Au + Au collisions, the R(AA) of phi exhibits a suppression relative to expectations from binary scaled p + p results. The amount of suppression is smaller than that of the pi(0) and the. in the intermediate p(T) range (2-5 GeV/c), whereas, at higher p(T), the phi, pi(0), and. show similar suppression. The baryon (proton and antiproton) excess observed in central Au + Au collisions at intermediate p(T) is not observed for the phi meson despite the similar masses of the proton and the phi. This suggests that the excess is linked to the number of valence quarks in the hadron rather than its mass. The difference gradually disappears with decreasing centrality, and, for peripheral collisions, the R(AA) values for both particle species are consistent with binary scaling. Cu + Cu collisions show the same yield and suppression as Au + Au collisions for the same number of N(part). The R(dA) of phi shows no evidence for cold nuclear effects within uncertainties.

Simple analytic model for astrophysical S factors

We propose a physically transparent analytic model of astrophysical S factors as a function of a center-of-mass energy E of colliding nuclei (below and above the Coulomb barrier) for nonresonant fusion reactions. For any given reaction, the S(E) model contains four parameters [two of which approximate the barrier potential, U(r)]. They are easily interpolated along many reactions involving isotopes of the same elements; they give accurate practical expressions for S(E) with only several input parameters for many reactions. The model reproduces the suppression of S(E) at low energies (of astrophysical importance) due to the shape of the low-r wing of U(r). The model can be used to reconstruct U(r) from computed or measured S(E). For illustration, we parametrize our recent calculations of S(E) (using the Sao Paulo potential and the barrier penetration formalism) for 946 reactions involving stable and unstable isotopes of C, O, Ne, and Mg (with nine parameters for all reactions involving many isotopes of the same elements, e. g., C+O). In addition, we analyze astrophysically important (12)C+(12)C reaction, compare theoretical models with experimental data, and discuss the problem of interpolating reliably known S(E) values to low energies (E less than or similar to 2-3 MeV).

g factors of coexisting isomeric states in (188)Pb

The g factors of the 12(+), 11(-), and 8(-) isomeric states in (188)Pb were measured using the time-differential perturbed angular distribution method as g(12(+)) = -0.179(6), g(11(-)) = +1.03(3), and g(8(-)) = -0.037(7). The g factor of the 12(+) state follows the observed slight down-sloping evolution of the g factors of the i(13/2)(2) neutron spherical states with decreasing N. The g factors of the 11(-) and 8(-) isomers proposed as oblate and prolate deformed states, respectively, were interpreted within the rotational model, using calculated and empirical g factor values for the involved single-particle orbitals.

Heritability of cardiovascular risk factors in a Brazilian population: Baependi Heart Study

Background: The heritability of cardiovascular risk factors is expected to differ between populations because of the different distribution of environmental risk factors, as well as the genetic make-up of different human populations. Methods: The purpose of this analysis was to evaluate genetic and environmental influences on cardiovascular risk factor traits, using a variance component approach, by estimating the heritability of these traits in a sample of 1,666 individuals in 81 families ascertained randomly from a highly admixed population of a city in a rural area in Brazil. Results: Before adjustment for sex, age, age(2), and age x sex interaction, polygenic heritability of systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure were 15.0% and 16.4%, waist circumference 26.1%, triglycerides 25.7%, fasting glucose 32.8%, HDL-c 31.2%, total cholesterol 28.6%, LDL-c 26.3%, BMI 39.1%. Adjustment for covariates increased polygenic heritability estimates for all traits mainly systolic and diastolic blood pressure (25.9 and 26.2%, respectively), waist circumference (40.1%), and BMI (51.0%). Conclusion: Heritability estimates for cardiovascular traits in the Brazilian population are high and not significantly different from other studied worldwide populations. Mapping efforts to identify genetic loci associated with variability of these traits are warranted.

Bothrops jararaca Peptide with Anti-Hypertensive Action Normalizes Endothelium Dysfunction Involved in Physiopathology of Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia, a pregnancy-specific syndrome characterized by hypertension, proteinuria and edema, is a major cause of fetal and maternal morbidity and mortality especially in developing countries. Bj-PRO-10c, a proline-rich peptide isolated from Bothrops jararaca venom, has been attributed with potent anti-hypertensive effects. Recently, we have shown that Bj-PRO-10c-induced anti-hypertensive actions involved NO production in spontaneous hypertensive rats. Using in vitro studies we now show that Bj-PRO-10c was able to increase NO production in human umbilical vein endothelial cells from hypertensive pregnant women (HUVEC-PE) to levels observed in HUVEC of normotensive women. Moreover, in the presence of the peptide, eNOS expression as well as argininosuccinate synthase activity, the key rate-limiting enzyme of the citrulline-NO cycle, were enhanced. In addition, excessive superoxide production due to NO deficiency, one of the major deleterious effects of the disease, was inhibited by Bj-PRO-10c. Bj-PRO-10c induced intracellular calcium fluxes in both, HUVEC-PE and HUVEC, which, however, led to activation of eNOS expression only in HUVEC-PE. Since Bj-PRO-10c promoted biological effects in HUVEC from patients suffering from the disorder and not in normotensive pregnant women, we hypothesize that Bj-PRO-10c induces its anti-hypertensive effect in mothers with preeclampsia. Such properties may initiate the development of novel therapeutics for treating preeclampsia.

Intercellular transport of epidermis-expressed MADS domain transcription factors and their effect on plant morphology and floral transition

P>During the lifetime of an angiosperm plant various important processes such as floral transition, specification of floral organ identity and floral determinacy, are controlled by members of the MADS domain transcription factor family. To investigate the possible non-cell-autonomous function of MADS domain proteins, we expressed GFP-tagged clones of AGAMOUS (AG), APETALA3 (AP3), PISTILLATA (PI) and SEPALLATA3 (SEP3) under the control of the MERISTEMLAYER1 promoter in Arabidopsis thaliana plants. Morphological analyses revealed that epidermal overexpression was sufficient for homeotic changes in floral organs, but that it did not result in early flowering or terminal flower phenotypes that are associated with constitutive overexpression of these proteins. Localisations of the tagged proteins in these plants were analysed with confocal laser scanning microscopy in leaf tissue, inflorescence meristems and floral meristems. We demonstrated that only AG is able to move via secondary plasmodesmata from the epidermal cell layer to the subepidermal cell layer in the floral meristem and to a lesser extent in the inflorescence meristem. To study the homeotic effects in more detail, the capacity of trafficking AG to complement the ag mutant phenotype was compared with the capacity of the non-inwards-moving AP3 protein to complement the ap3 mutant phenotype. While epidermal expression of AG gave full complementation, AP3 appeared not to be able to drive all homeotic functions from the epidermis, perhaps reflecting the difference in mobility of these proteins.

Purification and characterization of an antimicrobial peptide produced by Pseudomonas sp strain 4B

An antimicrobial peptide produced by a bacterium isolated from the effluent pond of a bovine abattoir was purified and characterized. The strain was characterized by biochemical profiling and 16S rDNA sequencing as Pseudomonas sp. The antimicrobial peptide was purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation, gel filtration, and ion exchange chromatography. Direct activity on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) was observed. A major band on SDS-PAGE suggested that the antimicrobial peptide has a molecular mass of about 30 kDa. The substance was inhibitory to a broad range of indicator strains, including pathogenic and food spoilage bacteria such as Listeria monocytogenes, Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, among other. The partially purified antimicrobial substance remained active over a wide temperature range and was resistant to all proteases tested. This substance showed different properties than other antimicrobials from Pseudomonas species, suggesting a novel antimicrobial peptide was characterized.

Participation of kinin receptors on memory impairment after chronic infusion of human amyloid-beta 1-40 peptide in mice

Chronic infusion of human amyloid-beta 1-40 (A beta) in the lateral ventricle (LV) of rats is associated with memory impairment and increase of kinin receptors in cortical and hippocampal areas. Deletion of kinin B1 or B2 receptors abolished memory impairment caused by an acute single injection of A beta in the LV. As brain tissue and kinin receptors could unlikely react to acute or chronic administration of a similar quantity of A beta, we evaluated the participation of B1 or B2 receptors in memory impairment after chronic infusion of A beta. Male C57BI/6 J (wt), knock-out B1 (koB1) or B2 (koB2) mice (12 weeks of age) previously trained in a two-way shuttle-box and achieving conditioned avoidance responses (CAR, % of 50 trials) were infused with AB (550 pmol, 0.12 mu L/h, 28 days) or vehicle in the LV using a mini-osmotic pump. They were tested before the surgery (TO), 7 and 35 days after the infusion started (T7; T35). In T0, no difference was observed between CAR of the control (Cwt = 59.7 +/- 6.7%; CkoB1 = 46.7 +/- 4.0%; CkoB2 = 64.4 +/- 5.8%) and A beta (A beta wt = 66.0 +/- 3.0%; A beta koB1 = 66.8 +/- 8.2%; A beta koB2 = 58.7 +/- 5.9%) groups. In T7, A beta koB2 showed a significant decrease in CAR (41.0 +/- 8.6%) compared to the control-koB2 (72.8 +/- 2.2%, P <0.05). In T35, a significant decrease (P <0.05) was observed in A beta wt (40.7 +/- 3.3%) and A beta koB2 (41.2 +/- 10.7%) but not in the A beta koB1 (64.0 +/- 14.0%) compared to their control groups. No changes were observed in the controls at T35. We suggest that in chronic infusion of BA, B1 receptors could playan important role in the neurodegenerative process. Conversely, the premature memory impairment of koB2 suggests that it may be a protective factor. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effect of physical exercise on risk factors for chronic diseases in obeses women

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of physical exercise on body weight reduction. For 12 weeks, 22 obese women (BMI>30 kg/m(2)) were submitted to a physical exercise program. At the beginning and at the final of the program there were evaluated: BMI, waist (WC) and hip circumferences (HC), and waist-hip ratio (WHR); body composition by DEXA; hemoglobin and erythroctye, total cholesterol, HDL and LDL, triacylglycerol and blood glucose; aerobic power. At the final of the program, aerobic power, hemoglobin and erythrocyte values were significantly increased, confirming the physical training effects. Related to anthropometric values, only the visceral fat (WC, HC and WHR) were reduced. The exercise shows to be an important supporting in the body weight loss program, not exactly promoting body weight loss, but lowering risk factors to develop chronic diseases.

Risk factors for neonatal transfers from the Sapopemba free-standing birth centre to a hospital in Sao Paulo, Brazil

Objective: to identify risk factors associated with neonatal transfers from a free-standing birth centre to a hospital. Design: epidemiological case-control study. Setting: midwifery-led free-standing birth centre in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Participants: 96 newborns were selected from 2840 births between September 1998 and August 2005. Cases were defined as all new borns transferred from the birth centre to a hospital (n = 32), and controls were defined as new borns delivered at the same birth centre, during the same time period, and who had not been transferred to a hospital (n = 64). Measurements and findings: data were collected from medical records available at the birth centre. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using logistic regression. The multivariate analysis included outcomes with p<0.25, specifically: smoking during pregnancy, prenatal care appointments, labour complications, weight in relation to gestational age, and one-minute Apgar score. Of the foregoing outcomes, those that remained in the full regression model as a risk factor associated with neonatal transfer were: smoking during pregnancy [p = 0.009, odds ratio (OR) = 4.1,95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03-16.33], labour complications (p<0.001, OR = 5.5, 95% CI 1.06-28.26) and one-minute Apgar score <= 7 (p<0.001, OR = 7.8,95% CI 1.62-37.03). Key conclusions and implications for practice: smoking during pregnancy, labour complications and one-minute Apgar score <= 7 were confirmed as risk factors for neonatal transfer from the birth centre to a hospital. The identified risk factors can help to improve institutional protocols and formulate hypotheses for other studies. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Acute and chronic effects of exercise on inflammatory markers and B-type natriuretic peptide in patients with coronary artery disease

Few studies have prospectively addressed the effects of exercise in the inflammatory activity of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). We sought to evaluate the consequences of an acute bout of exercise on inflammatory markers and BNP in untrained CAD patients before and after randomization to a training program. 34 CAD patients underwent a 50-min acute exercise session on a cycle-ergometer at 65% peak oxygen uptake before and after blood sampling. They were then randomized to a 4-month chronic exercise program (15 patients) or general lifestyle recommendations (19 patients), undergoing a new acute session of exercise after that. In the overall population, acute exercise caused a significant increase in C-reactive protein [CRP; 1.79 (4.49) vs. 1.94 (4.89) mg/L, P < 0.001], monokine induced by interferon-gamma [Mig; 351 (324) vs. 373 (330) pg/mL, P = 0.027] and vascular adhesion molecule-1 [VCAM-1; 226 (82) vs. 252 (110) pg/mL, P = 0.02]. After 4-months, in exercise-trained patients, there was a significant decrease in the inflammatory response provoked by the acute exercise compared to patients in the control group reflected by a significant decrease in the differences between rest and post-exercise levels of CRP [-0.29 (0.84) mg/L vs. -0.11 (0.21) mg/L, P = 0.05]. Resting BNP was also significantly lower in exercise-trained patients when compared to untrained controls [15.6 (16.2) vs. 9.7 (11.4) pg/mL, P = 0.04 and 19.2 (27.8) vs. 23.2 (27.5) pg/mL, P = 0.76; respectively]. Chronic exercise training might partially reverse the inflammatory response caused by acute exercise in CAD patients. These results suggest that regular exercise is an important nonpharmacological strategy to the improvement in inflammation in CAD patients.

Alcohol Dependence: Analysis of Factors Associated with Retention of Patients in Outpatient Treatment

Aims: To identify factors associated with retention in treatment of alcohol-dependent individuals and to compare treatment retention between men and women. Methods: Analysis of the treatment attendance records and baseline characteristics of 833 men and 218 women who undertook to attend follow-up treatment in an alcoholism treatment centre. Results: Retention after 4 weeks of treatment is more likely to occur among those using adjuvant medication (the most frequent of which was disulfiram), those presenting severe alcoholism and those who are older and tend to be frequent drinkers. There was no gender difference regarding treatment retention. Conclusion: Such results suggest possibilities for developing specific strategies to reduce the risk of early dropout from treatment.