Genética molecular do hipotireoidismo congênito

O hipotireoidismo congênito (HC) ocorre, mundialmente, em 1/3000-4000 neonatos e pode ser classificado em permanente ou transitório. O HC primário é responsável pela maioria dos afetados, enquanto o secundário e terciário são raros. Nos países iodo-suficientes, a disgenesia tireóidea (DT) é a causa mais freqüente de HC. Os defeitos hereditários da síntese hormonal ocorrem em minoria de crianças portadoras de HC. Fatores ambientais, genéticos e auto-imunes concorrem na etiologia do HC, mas na maioria dos casos de DT a causa é obscura. Atribui-se aos genes envolvidos na ontogenia da glândula tireóidea, como os fatores de transcrição TITF1, TITF2, PAX-8 e receptor de TSH (TSHR), função patogenética na DT. Até o momento não foi descrita anormalidade no gene TITF1 como causa de HC, enquanto foram identificadas mutações no PAX-8 em cinco recém-nascidos com DT. Embora não envolvidas na DT, mutações inativadoras do TSHR podem produzir espectro de defeitos congênitos oscilando entre hipertirotropinemia com eutireoidismo e hipotireoidismo com hipoplasia glandular. A clonagem dos genes envolvidos na biossíntese dos hormônios tireóideos, como o da tireoperoxidase (TPO) e tireoglobulina (Tg), permitiu a identificação de mutações responsáveis por alguns casos de bócio e hipotireoidismo decorrente de defeito de incorporação de iodeto ou anormalidades na síntese de Tg. Recentemente, foi demonstrada a base molecular do defeito de transporte ativo de iodeto e da síndrome de Pendred, respectivamente, devidas a mutações no gene NIS (simportador de sódio e iodeto) e no gene PDS (pendrina). em conclusão, grande parte dos pacientes com HC e DT não tem esclarecida, ainda, a causa molecular desta síndrome.

Aspectos genéticos do hipotireoidismo congênito

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

Família e creche: crenças a respeito de temperamento e desempenho de bebês

Este estudo baseia-se na Abordagem Bioecológica de Bronfenbrenner. O objetivo foi verificar o julgamento de mães e educadoras de berçário sobre os fatores que causam ou influenciam o temperamento e o desempenho de bebês. Foram entrevistadas 50 mães que tinham filho de 4 a 24 meses em uma creche vinculada a um HC e 21 de suas educadoras (responsáveis por 90 bebês, nas fixas etárias mencionadas). As questões feitas às mães incluíam falar da rotina diária do filho, quais as competências dele e como interpretavam seu temperamento e desempenho. Para as educadoras, os temas foram os mesmos, pedindo-se para descreverem como viam cada um dos bebês sob sua responsabilidade. Os resultados mostram pouca diferença nas crenças das mães e das educadoras, sendo que a maioria apresenta crenças ambientalistas, tanto no que diz respeito ao temperamento quanto ao desempenho do bebê; e as pessoas que mais exerceriam influência seriam os pais.

Análise econômica da produção de carne de cordeiros sob dois sistemas de terminação: pastagem e confinamento

Foram analisados os custos de produção e o retorno econômico do quilograma de carcaça, de 13 cordeiros Corriedale (C), 14 Bergamácia x Corriedale (BC) e 9 Hampshire Down x Corriedale (HC), em pastagem de Cynodon dactylon e 10 C, 11 BC e 8 HC em confinamento, recebendo ração completa, com 18% de proteína bruta e 72% de nutrientes digestíveis totais, idênticos ao da pastagem. A lotação utilizada foi de 20 cordeiros/ha. No confinamento, considerou-se 0,5m²/cordeiro. A despesa total para terminação dos cordeiros na pastagem foi R$2.382,40 e para terminação em confinamento foi R$2.918,40, com as respectivas receitas de R$3.686,90 e R$4.498,03. O custo de produção do kg de carcaça dos cordeiros confinados (R$2,30), em valor absoluto foi superior, porém, muito próximo dos terminados em pastagem (R$2,26). O retomo econômico para os cordeiros terminados em confinamento (R$1.579,63) foi superior ao dos terminados em pastagem (R$1.304,50), mostrando uma diferença em valores absolutos de R$275,13 a favor dos cordeiros confinados. A produção de carne de cordeiro em confinamento é economicamente viável.

Chemical Composition and fermentative characteristics of Elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) silages added of increasing levels of mango (Mangifera indica L.) byproducts

Aiming at evaluating the use of those byproducts on ruminant feeding an experiment has been carried out in the Forage Research department (www.npf.ufc.br), in order to evaluate the effects of addition of increasing levels of mango processing byproducts (MB) in Elephant grass silages. Twenty experimental silos made of PVC pipe (100 x 340 mm), in a completely randomized design with 5 levels of addition (0; 5; 10; 15; and 20%) of MB and 4 replications. Upon 32 days of ensilage, samples were collected for determination of levels of dry Matter (DM), crude protein (CP), ethereal extract (EE), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), hemicelluloses (HC), ammonia nitrogen (N-NH3), and pH values. Data were evaluated by analyses of variance and regression analyses using the F test at the 5% level. The levels of DM and CP increased of 0.50 and 0.03 percentage units, respectively, for every 1% of MB added. The levels of NDF and ADF decreased of 0.51 and 0.24 percentage units, respectively, for every 1% of MB added. The levels of N-NH3 decreased from 4 to 23 percentage units while pH values remained constant (p>0.05), with average values of 3.29. Addition of 20% of MB improved silages chemical composition by promoting an increase in the levels of MS and reduction in the levels of fiber.

Anthropometrical parameters and markers of obesity in rats

The present study was undertaken to determine anthropometrical parameters in male adult Wistar rats. We tested the hypothesis that the anthropometrical index may identify obesity and may predict its adverse effects on lipid profile and oxidative stress in rats. Two experimental protocols were performed. in the first experiment, 50 male Wistar rats, 21 days old and fed a control chow were studied up to 150 days of age. in the second experiment, male Wistar rats, 60 days old, were divided into three groups (n = 8): control (C) given free access to a control chow; (S) receiving the control chow and drinking 30% sucrose ad libitum and (HQ fed a high-carbohydrate diet ad libitum. The first experiment showed that food consumption, energy intake and body weight increased with increasing age, while specific rate of body mass gain was significantly decreased. There were no significant differences in body length and thoracic circumference of rats from 60 days of age. The abdominal circumference (AC) and body mass index (BMI) significantly increased with enhancing age in rats up to 90 days of age and remained constant thereafter. In the second experiment, after 30 days of dietary treatment, the final body weight, body mass gain, carcass fat and BMI were higher in S and HC rats than in C. There were no significant alterations in body length and carcass protein among the groups. Triacylglycerol (TG), total cholesterol (CT), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and lipid hydroperoxide (LH) were higher in S and HC rats than in C. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) decreased in HC rats and total antioxidant substances (TAS) decreased in S and HC rats. There were positive correlations between BMI with carcass fat, BMI with LH and BMI and serum TG concentration. In conclusion, the BMI for male adult Wistar rats ranged between 0.45 and 0.68 g/cm(2). Obesity may be easily estimated from the BMI in rats. Alterations in BMI were associated with dyslipidemic profile and oxidative stress in serum of rats and BMI may predict these adverse consequences of the obesity in rats.

Hemoglobin and HFE gene polymorphisms in Brazilian populations in regions endemic for malaria

Our objective was to determine how the distribution of red blood cell diseases is related to malaria occurrence in north Brazil, a region endemic for malaria. We evaluated the incidence of two mutations in the HFE gene, H63D and C282Y, in two study groups: a control blood donor group, with no indication of malaria infection, and a group constituted of malaria patients of four states of the Amazonian region. The hemoglobin polymorphisms were obtained by HPLC and classical laboratory methodologies, and the two mutations in the HFE gene were assayed by PCR-RFLP. We found a high frequency of alpha thalassemia, but there were no significant differences between blood donors and malaria patients. There were also no significant differences in the frequencies of HbA(2); however, the frequency of HbF was significantly different in individuals with malaria from Para and Rondonia. The mean number of reticulocytes was significantly reduced in the blood donors from the northern region, suggesting an adaptive strategy of these populations to parasitic attack by Plasmodium. Most individuals were heterozygous for the H63D allele of the HFE gene in both study groups. In the blood donors group, the greatest frequency of the H63D allele was found in Caucasians of all the states. In the malaria patients group in Rondonia, there was a high frequency of the H63D allele among the non-Caucasians. In the other states, and in the malaria patients group, the H63D allele was the most frequent among the Caucasians. Based on our results, we suggest that the maintenance of polymorphism of the mutations in the gene HFE can be explained by selective factors other than malaria, or it is due to simple allelic oscillation and by the constant gene flow among the populations in Brazil.

Effect of presence of an acid catalyst on structure and properties of iron-doped siloxane-polyoxyethylene nanocomposites prepared by sol-gel

In this work we investigate the effect of hydrochloric acid (HC) addition on the structure and thermal and magnetic properties of iron-doped siloxane-polyoxyethylene (POE) hybrids prepared by the sol-gel route. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) results reveal the dominance of ferrihydrite nanoparticles and a mixture of this phase with FeCl4- species in the hybrid prepared without and with HCl, respectively. Thermal analysis reveals the existence of two crystalline polymeric phases in the hybrid prepared with HCl whereas hybrids prepared without HCl are amorphous. The 105 and 60 Angstrom sized ferrihydrite nanoparticles were detected by SAXS analysis of the composite prepared without and with HCl, respectively. The magnetic results suggest that in both samples antiferromagnetic nanoparticles coexist with small clusters/isolated ions. In the sample without HCl addition, larger particles dominate the magnetic behavior, while the opposite occurs for the sample prepared using HCl catalyst. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effects of Antibacterial Agents on Dental Pulps of Monkeys Mechanically Exposed and Contaminated.

The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of antibacterial agents and mineral trioxide aggregate in the healing of bacterial contaminated primate pulps. Study Design: The experiment required four adult male primates (Cebus opella) with 48 teeth prepared with buccal penetrartions into the pulpal tissues. The preparations (Cebus opella) with 48 teeth prepared with buccal penetrations into the exposed to cotton pellets soaked in a bacterial mixture consisting of microorganisms normally found in human pulpal abscesses obtained from the Endodontic Clinic of UNESP. Following bacterial inoculation (30 minute exposure), the pulpal tissue was immediately treated with either sterile saline, Cipro HC Otic solution (12), diluted Buckley formecresol solution (12) or Otosporin otic solution (12) for 5 minutes. After removal of the pellet, hemostasis was obtained and a ZOE base applied to the DFC treated pulps and the non-treated controls (12). After hemostasis, the other exposed pulps were covered with mineral trioxide aggregate (ProRoot). The pulpal bases were all covered with a RMGI (Fuji II LC). The tissue samples were collected at one day, two days, one week and over four weeks (34 days). Results: Following perfusion fixation, the samples were demineralized, sectioned, stained and histologically graded. After histologic analysis, presence of neutrophilic infiltrate and areas of hemorrhage with hyperemia were observed . The depth of the neutrophilic infiltrate depended on the agent or material used. The pupal tissue treated with Otic suspensions demonstrated significantly less inflammation (Kruskal Wallis non parametric analysis, H=9.595 with 1 degree of freedom; P=0.0223) than the formocresol and control groups. The hard tissue bridges formed over the exposure sites were more organized in the MTA treatment groups than in the control and ZOE groups (Kruskal Wallis non parametric analysis, H=18.291 with 1 degree of freedom; P=0.0004). Conclusions: Otic suspensions and MTA are effective in treating bacterial infected pulps and stimulate the production of a hard tissue bridge over the site of the exposure.

Comparison of oxidative stress and the frequency of polymorphisms in the HFE gene between hemoglobin S trait blood donors and sickle cell disease patients

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Magnetic properties of Ni(NO3)2·2H2O

This work is concerned with the magnetic properties of Ni(NO3)2·2H2O from (Hin-T) and (Hap-T) phase diagrams. From these diagrams we have obtained the values of Hc(0), TN and Tt. A comparison between experimental and theoretical values of Tt is made, where a Tt relation for a spin 1 metamagnetic model is found. © 1988.

HIPERTENSAO ARTERIAL EM PACIENTES OBESOS COM HIPERTROFIA CARDIACA. EFEITOS DO CAPTOPRIL SOBRE A SENSIBILIDADE A INSULINA E HORMONIO DE CRESCIMENTO

Purpose. To evaluate the effects of captopril (Cpt) on carbohydrate metabolism and growth hormone (GH) in adults hypertensive obese patients with normal (NGT) or impaired (IGT) glucose tolerance and left ventricular hypertrophy. Methods. Ten patients (53 ± 8 years), 8 women and 2 men, white, body mass index (BMI) ≥ 26 kg/m2, left ventricular mass index (LVMI) > 135 g/m2 in man and > 110 g/m2 in woman, with diastolic blood pressure (DBP) 95-115 mmHg after 3 weeks of placebo, were identified by oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT-75 g) as either with NGT or IGT, and treated with Cpt 25 mg t.i.d. for 8 weeks. At the 8 weeks, dosage was increased to 50 mg b.i.d. if DBP > 90 mmHg or the decrease of the DBP < 10%, during the next 8 weeks. OGTT and clonidine tests (0,04 mg/kg) with determinations, every 30 minutes of glucose, insulin, and GH during 2 hours, were performed. Results. Cpt lowered SBP and DBP in the NGT group and IGT group. The LVMI and the left ventricular mass (LVM) decreased in the IGT group with no significant change in the NGT group. Cpt promoted in the IGT group decrease in the area under the curve (AUC) of glucose, and AUC of insulin, with increase of the AUC of the percent of the β cell function, AUC of HC, and insulin sensitivity index with no significantly change in the NGT group. Conclusion. Adults hypertensive obese patients with IGT had decreased significantly in mean fasting level of GH concentrations compared to age, race, and BMI matched hypertensive patients with NGT. Treatment with Cpt induced a significant increased of the GH, with improvement of the metabolism in patients with IGT.

Adaptação para o Português do questionário de auto-avaliação de percepção de saúde física e mental da mulher de meia-idade - Questionário da Saúde da Mulher

The objective of this study is to translate to Brazilian Portuguese, and validate (criterion) it to the Brazilian population, the Women's Health Questionnaire (WHQ), questionnaire was developed by Hunter (1992) in order to evaluate physical and mental symptoms, which were experienced by women, along their climacteric transition. A sample of 63 women, from 45 to 65 years old, was selected from the HC-UNESP staff and HC-Community Health School Center users. The WHQ and the General Health Questionnaire - GHQ (Goldberg-1972 - 60 items) were answered by all of them. The GHQ was used as reference. Pearson correlation coefficient, sensitivity and specificity were calculated for assessing the validity of the questionnaire. Cut-off points were determined in the WHQ by linear regressions (the reference was GHQ's cut-off points - higher than 2). Outcomes highlighted a general index of sensitivity of 0.83, specificity of 0.87, and correlation of - 0.82 and reliability of 0.89. The study sample does not portray the general population because the persons interviewed had high level of education. As the WHQ is easy to be applied and analyzed, it could be used in general, gynecologic, oncology and psychiatric practice.

Fermented soy product supplemented with isoflavones affected fat depots in juvenile rats

Objectives: This study investigated the effects of soy product fermented by Enterococcus faecium and Lactobacillus jugurti supplemented with isoflavones on adipose tissue, blood lipid, and glucose levels on juvenile rats. Methods: Rats were fed a cholesterol-enriched diet for 3 wk as a preliminary treatment to create hypercholesterolemia. They were then fed a chow diet (HC), a chow diet plus fermented soy product supplemented with isoflavones (HCFI), a chow diet plus placebo (HCP), or a chow diet plus placebo supplemented with isoflavones (HCPI), respectively, for an additional 3 wk. Results: The beneficial effects of fermented soy product supplemented with isoflavones on epididymal (EPI) and retroperitoneal (RET) fat pads was likely due to isoflavones because adipocyte circumference (micrometers) in the HC group was significantly larger (EPI: 105.66 ± 13.36; RET: 134.95 ± 25.40) than that in the HCFI group (EPI: 93.17 ± 12.80; RET: 108.62 ± 15.50) and HCPI group (EPI: 93.06 ± 15.10; RET: 112.34 ± 18.21). The probiotic micro-organism accentuated the antilipogenic effect of isoflavones on RET (HCFI: 108.62 ± 15.50 micrometers versus HCPI: 112.34 ± 18.21 micrometers). Moreover, the fermented product increased glucose concentration similar to that in the chow group but did not change blood lipids. Conclusion: This product may offer new approaches to obesity prevention. © 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Sleep bruxism: Clinical aspects and characteristics in patients with and without chronic orofacial pain

Objective. Evaluation of long-standing sleep bruxism (SB) patients. Study Design. Descriptive study. Results. One hundred subjects with SB (80 women and 20 men, mean age: 36.1±11.3 years) were evaluated according to the RDC/TMD and a pain questionnaire (EDOF-HC). The patients were divided into 2 groups: Group A-without (30.0%) and Group B-with orofacial pain (70.0%). AM stiffness: 36.4% in Group A and 88.6% in Group B; mean pain duration: 6.92 years; mean intensity of pain: 4.33 (VAS); quality of pain: tightness/pressure (84,3%); 95.7% of Group B had myofascial pain. Depression and somatization levels were different between the groups (p = 0.001). Higher frequency of depression was found with body pain or presence of comorbidities. Conclusion. The data presented in this study showed statistical differences between long-standing bruxism without and with chronic facial pain; the two questionnaires allowed interaction between the chief complaint and the clinical findings; depression levels increased with pain in several regions of the body. © 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.