Cerebellar Cognitive Affective Syndrome in Machado Joseph Disease: Core Clinical Features

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Ultrasonographic and ecobiometric findings in the eyes of adult goats

Conhecer o aspecto e as dimensões de olhos de cabras facilita o uso da ultrassonografia na avaliação de doenças oculares. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi o de avaliar os achados ultrassonográficos e ecobiométricos em olhos de cabras adultas. Ultrassonogramas nos modos A e B foram realizados em 30 caprinos adultos (60 olhos) (n=15 fêmeas intactas e n=15 machos castrados). O exame ultrassonográfico foi realizado após a instilação de colírio anestésico. Gel a base de água foi utilizado sobre o transdutor de 20 MHz posicionado-o de forma longitudinasobre a córneal, até que imagens no modo B estivessem de acordo com os ecos gerados pelo modo A. Utilizou-se análise estatística para se comparar os achados ecobiométricos entre os sexos (p<0,05). As médias com seus respectivos desvios padrões das estruturas oculares em machos e fêmeas foram, respectivamente, 3,46±0,55, 3,33±0,46mm (profundidade da câmara anterior); 8,60±0,34, 8,65±0,39mm (espessura da lente); 11,34±0,61, 11,39±0,66mm (profundidade da câmara vítrea) e 23,43±0,92, 23,39±0.86mm (comprimento axial do bulbo ocular). Não foi observada diferença significativa entre os olhos direito e esquerdo, assim como entre machos e fêmeas (p>0,05). O aspecto ultrassonográfico de olhos de cabras se assemelha com o de outras espécies domésticas e silvestres.

The malarial impact on the nutritional status of Amazonian adult subjects

A avaliação antropométrica (pêso, altura, circunferência branquial, prega cutânea tricipital, prega cutânea subescapular, índice de Quetelet e circunferência muscular do braço) e bioquímica (proteínas e lipides) foi realizado em 120 indivíduos (93 masculinos e 27 do sexo feminino), de 17 a 72 anos de idade, moradores de área endêmica de malária (Humaitá -AM). de acordo com a história da doença (malária) eles foram divididos em 4 grupos: G1 - controle (n = 30), sem história de malária; G2 - controle (n = 40), com história de malária, mas sem manifestação de doença atual; G3 - doentes com Plasmodium vivax (n = 19) e G4 - doentes com Plasmodium faleiparum (n = 31). O diagnóstico de malária foi estabelecido por manifestações clínicas e confirmado laboratorialmente (gota espessa e esfregaço). No global as medidas antropométricas e bioquímicas discriminaram os grupos diferentemente. As medidas antropométricas do pêso, altura, reservas calóricas e estoque proteicos somáticos, apresentaram pouca sensibilidade, discriminado apenas os grupos extremos (Gl > G4). As medidas bioquímicas, no geral diferenciaram dois grandes grupos, os sadios e os doentes (G1+G2) e (G3+G4). Os doentes com Plasmodium falciparum (G4) foram os que se apresentaram em pior estado nutricional para a maioria das variáveis, sem entretanto, nenhuma variável individual que os discriminasse significativamente do G3. Estes dados permitem concluir que a malária resulta em desnutrição do hospedeiro, cuja gravidade está relacionada ao tipo e estágio da doença.

Landfills as risk factors for respiratory disease in children

Objective: To investigate the relationship between exposure to a landfill site closed 6 years previously and respiratory symptoms in children aged up to 13 years.Method: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in Varzea Paulista, in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. One adult in every household in a neighborhood close to the landfill and from a randomized sample of households in another neighborhood with similar socioeconomic characteristics but no landfill were interviewed and asked about respiratory symptoms and other variables relating to children aged up to 13. A logistic regression model was used to study this relationship.Results: The likelihood of a child having respiratory symptoms was a function of -2.36 + 0.43 if the child was less than 2 years old; + 0.24 if the child lived in the landfill area; -0.67 if there was a computer at home; + 0.54 if firewood was burnt in the home in the last year; + 0.94 if the child was diagnosed with asthma; + 0.87 if the child visited a health service in the previous 30 days.Conclusion: The authors conclude that living near to a landfill closed 6 years previously may be a risk factor for respiratory disease in children.

Immunological disturbances in toxic multinodular goitre and active Graves' disease

Cell-mediated and humoral immunity were studied in seventeen patients with toxic multinodular goitre, ten with active Graves' disease and fourteen healthy controls. The study included determination of sheep erythrocyte and complement rosette-forming cells in peripheral blood, immunoglobulin levels, titres of microsomal antibodies and migration inhibition test using thyroid extract and phytohaemagglutinin. When compared with controls the patients showed a positive response to thyroid antigen in the leucocyte migration inhibition test. Microsomal antibodies were detected in seven out of ten active Graves' disease patients against two out of seventeen of those with toxic multinodular goitre. Significantly increased IgG and IgA and decreased IgM levels were found only in the toxic multinodular group. These data provide further evidence for immunological disturbances in toxic multinodular goitre.

Serology of paracoccidioidomycosis. II. Correlation between class-specific antibodies and clinical forms of the disease

Untreated and previously treated patients with paracoccidioidomycosis were studied for: (i) serum levels of total IgG, IgM and IgA immunoglobulins, by radial immunodiffusion and Paracoccidioides brasiliensis (Pb) antibodies, by indirect immunofluorescence; (ii) correlation between their levels with the clinical forms of the disease; (iii) correlation between the serum titres obtained by tube precipitin with those of anti-Pb IgG, IgM and IgA. In the untreated group, serum IgG levels were significantly increased in patients with the more systemic forms of the disease, especially the acute progressive form. Serum IgA levels were significantly increased in all patients with no statistical difference between clinical forms. Serum IgM levels were normal in all patients. Anti-Pb IgG, IgA and IgM were detected in 97·5%, 32·5% and 45·0% of all cases, respectively. There was a sharp tendency towards higher levels of anti-Pb IgG among those with the acute progressive form (83·4%) in relation to the chronic, more localized forms, mixed form (68·0%) and isolated organic form (55·5%). In the untreated and previously treated group sera, there was positive correlation between the level of anti-Pb IgG and positivity for the tube precipitin test, suggesting that the precipitin-type antibodies are of the IgG class. Broadly, the present data demonstrate a polyclonal activation of the humoral immune system in paracoccidioidomycosis, with a positive relationship between serological results and severity of the disease. © 1984.

Hand, foot, and mouth disease: A case report

Hand, foot, and mouth disease is a viral infection related to coxsackieviruses A5, A6, A9, and A10, coxsackieviruses B2 and B5, and echovirus 11. It generally affects children, but this article presents a clinical case of a young woman with hand, foot, and mouth disease. Patients with this disease have oral and skin lesions that may be confused with other diseases. The differential diagnosis is very important because both dental and medical professionals may misdiagnose the disease and sometimes prescribe an inappropriate medication.

Is chronic hypoxemia in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease associated with more marked nutritional deficiency?: A study of the fat-free mass evaluated by anthropometry and bioelectrical impedance methods

In order to determine wheter blood gases abnormalities, specially hypoxemia, are associated with more marked changes in fat-free mass in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (CPOD), nutritional assessment was performed on 16 normoxemic (PaO 2 > 55 mm Hg) and 16 hypoxemic (PaO 2 < 55 mm Hg) COPD patients in stable clinical condition. Body weight was expressed as percentage of the ideal body weight. Fat-free mass was estimated by anthropometry (FFM-Anthr) and by bioelectrical impedance (FFM- BI). Handgrip-strength was assessed as a measure of peripheral skeletal muscle strength. Patients were age-matched and presented similar degree of airway obstruction. Malnutrition, defined as body weight less than 90% of the ideal, was observed in 19% of the normoxemic patients and in 25% of the hypoxemic patients (p>0,05). FFM values in hypoxemic patients, estimated by both methods, were not different from those observed in normoxemic patients. No significant difference was observed on handgrip values between the two groups. No correlation was found between nutritional indices and pulmonary function and gases exchange parameters. FFM correlated positively with values of peripheral muscle function in normoxemic and hypoxemic patients. These data add further evidence to the hypothesis that hypoxemia is not a primary cause of the nutritional deficiency observed in COPD patients.

Use of aspartate aminotransferase in diagnosing periodontal disease: a comparative study of clinical and microbiological parameters

The objective of this study was to assess the association between the levels of enzyme aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) with the BANA hydrolysis microbiological test (Perioscan) and clinical periodontal diagnostic measurements, such as bleeding on probing, plaque index, gingival index, probing depth, and attachment level in patients with chronic periodontitis using an enzymatic test (PocketWatch). One hundred and forty-seven sites were evaluated in 22 patients with a probing depth of > or = 5 mm at selected sites. AST and BANA enzymatic tests were carried out, and clinical parameters recorded. Pearson's chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were used for statistical analysis. There was no statistical correlation between AST levels and any of the analyzed parameters. The lack of any association between the factors studied does not indicate, however, that the latter cannot be used in diagnosing the actual periodontal condition of patients and/or sites. However, more research should be carried out to evaluate the true relationship between AST and periodontal disease.

Cytokines and dietary energy restriction in stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients

Tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α has been found to be increased in malnourished chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients; however, the main cause of this phenomenon remains undetermined. In normal subjects, TNF-α production may be induced by dietary energy deprivation. The aim of this study was to investigate if stable COPD patients present alterations of inflammatory mediators after 48 h of dietary energy restriction. Fourteen COPD patients were admitted to the hospital while receiving an experimental diet with an energy content of approximately one-third of their energy needs. Clinical evaluation, nutritional assessment and serum levels of interleukin (IL)-6, TNF-α and C-reactive protein, and secretion of TNF-α by peripheral blood monocytes were assessed on admission and after the experimental diet. For reference values of the laboratory parameters, blood was collected from 10 healthy, elderly subjects. COPD patients showed significantly higher serum concentrations of IL-6 than control subjects, however, the experimental diet was not associated with statistically significant changes in the inflammatory mediators. The findings of this study, although preliminary because of the limited degree and duration of the energy restriction, suggest that the elevated levels of tumour necrosis factor-α, previously described in undernourished or weight-losing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients, may not be linked to a decrease of dietary energy intake.

Clinical and nutritional profile of individuals with Chagas disease

Chagas disease (CD), caused by the protozoan Trypanossoma cruzi, affects approximately 18 million individuals in the Americas, 5 million of which five in Brazil. Most chronic sufferers have either the indeterminate form of the disease, without organic compromise, or the cardiac or digestive forms. Despite the importance of this disease, there is no information on the effect of nutrition on CD evolution. We evaluated the clinical-nutritional profile of individuals with CD treated at the Tropical Diseases Nutrition Out-Patient Clinic of the Botucatu School of Medicine, UNESP.A retrospective cohort study was performed between 2002 and 2006, on 66 patients with serum and parasitological diagnosis of CD. Epidemiological, clinical, nutritional, and biochemical data were collected, including gender, age, skin color, smoking, alcoholism, physical activity, weight, stature, body mass index, abdominal circumference, glycemia, and lipid profile. Fifty-three percent were mate and 47% female; 96% were white skinned. Mean age was 49.6±6.36 years. The predominant form was indeterminate in 71 %; smoking and drinking were recorded in 23% and 17%, respectively. Sedentariness predominated in 83%, and 55% presented increased abdominal circumference. Most, 94%, were overweight or obese. The biochemical exam revealed hyperglycemia in 12% and dyslipidemia in 74%. These findings suggest that the Chagas population presents co-morbidities and risk factors for developing chronic non-transmissible diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, making CD evolution even worse. © 2007 by The Brazilian Journal of Infectious Diseases and Contexto Publishing. All rights reserved.

Prevalence of trachoma in a population of the upper Rio Negro basin and risk factors for active disease

Purpose: To determine the prevalence of trachoma in Sao Gabriel da Cachoeira (SGC), the only urban community of the upper Rio Negro Basin of the Amazon state in Brazil, near the Colombian border, and to investigate the risk factors associated with the active forms of the disease. Methods: A total of 1702 people (440 children up to 9 years and 1069 adults aged 15 years and above) were examined. The sample was selected from a probabilistic household sampling procedure based on census data and a previous study of trachoma prevalence in Sao Gabriel da Cachoeira. A two-stage probabilistic household cluster sample was drawn. Household units were randomly selected within each cluster. A variety of socioeconomic and hygiene variables were studied in order to determine the risk factors for active trachoma in a household. Results: The total prevalence of trachoma was 8.9%. Prevalence of active trachoma (TF and/or TI) in children aged 1-9 years was 11.1% and trachomatous trichiasis in adults aged 15 years and above was 0.19%. Trachomatous scarring reached a peak of 22.4% for subjects between 50 to 60 years of age. Corneal opacity occurred in subjects aged 50 years and older with a prevalence of 2.0%. No sex effect was found on the overall prevalence of trachoma in SGC. Risk factors associated with active trachoma were mainly related to poor socioeconomic indicators. Conclusions: Despite the ubiquitous presence of water, the analysis of the risk factors associated with the active forms of the disease supports the idea that a low personal standard of hygiene and not water availability per se, is the key factor associated with trachoma. Copyright © 2008 Informa Healthcare USA, Inc.

Evaluation of experimental vaccination against newcastle disease and the blood proteinogram in ring - necked pheasants(Phasianus colchicus) during breeding season

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

DNA repair gene polymorphism is associated with the genetic basis of atherosclerotic coronary artery disease

Background: Atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (CAD) is a multifactorial process that appears to be caused by the interaction of environmental risk factors with multiple predisposing genes. It is nowadays accepted that increased levels of DNA damage induced by xenobiotics play an important role in the early phases of atherogenesis. Therefore, in this study, we focus on determining whether genetic variations in xenobiotic-metabolizing [glutathione-S-transferase theta 1 (GSTT1), glutathione-S-transferase mu 1 (GSTM1), cytochrome P450 IIEI (CYP2E1)] and DNA repair [X-ray cross-complementing group 1 (XRCC1)] genes might be associated with increased risk for CAD. Methods: A case-control study was conducted with 400 individuals who underwent subjected to coronary angiography. A total of 299 were patients diagnosed with effective coronary atherosclerosis (case group; >20% obstructive lesion), and 101 (control group) were individuals diagnosed as negative for CAD (<20% obstructive lesions). The polymorphism identifications for GSTM1 and GSTT1, and for CYP2E1 and XRCC1 genes were performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and by PCR-RFLP, respectively. Results and conclusions: The XRCC1 homozygous wild-type genotype Arg/Arg for codon 399 was statistically less pronounced in the case subjects (21.4%) than in controls (38.5%); individuals with the variant XRCC1 genotype had a 2.3-fold increased risk for coronary atherosclerosis than individuals with the wild-type genotype (OR=2.3, 95% CI=1.13-4.69). Conversely, no association between GSTM1, GSTT1, and CYP2E1gene polymorphisms and coronary atherosclerosis was detected. The results provide evidence of the role of DNA damage and repair in cardiovascular disease. © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.