Impact of voluntary folate fortification on plasma homocysteine and serum folate in Australia from 1995 to 2001: a population based cohort study

Study objective: To investigate the effect of the voluntary folate fortification policy in Australia on serum folate and total plasma homocysteine (tHcy) concentrations. Design: Population based cohort study. Setting: Perth, Western Australia. Participants: Men and women aged 27 to 77 years (n = 468), who were originally randomly selected from the Perth electoral roll. The cohort was surveyed in 1995/96 before widespread introduction of folate fortification of a variety of foods, and followed up on two occasions, firstly in 1998/99 and again in 2001, when a moderate number of folate fortified foods were available. Subjects with abnormal serum creatinine concentrations at baseline were excluded from this analysis. Main results: Repeated measures analysis of variance was used to determine changes in serum folate and tHcy over the three surveys and to assess whether time trends were related to age, sex, MTHFR C677T genotype, or consumption of folate fortified foods. An increase (38%) in mean serum folate (p < 0.0005) and a decrease (21%) in mean tHcy (p < 0.0005) were seen after introduction of the voluntary folate fortification policy in Australia. Serum folate was consistently higher (p = 0.032) and tHcy was consistently lower (p = 0.001) in subjects who consumed at least one folate fortified food compared with subjects who did not consume any folate fortified foods in the previous week. The time related changes in serum folate and tHcy were affected only by intake of folate fortified foods (p < 0.0005) and not by any other measured variables including age, sex, or MTHFR genotype. Conclusion: Voluntary fortification of foods with folate in Australia has been followed by a substantial increase in serum folate and decrease in tHcy in the general population.

Sexual maturity and egg production in an unexploited population of the red squat lobster Pleuroncodes monodon (Decapoda, Galatheidae) from Central America

The squat lobster Pleuroncodes monodon is one of the most common and abundant galatheid species in the deepwater fishery of Pacific coast of America. In contrast with Peru and Chile, the red squat lobster is not commercially exploited in Costa Rica. Here we estimated the size of sexual maturity and analysed egg production in P. monodon from the Pacific of Costa Rica; the results might be important for an adequate management strategy when initiating a sustainable fishery of this resource in Costa Rica. Analyses of allometric growth revealed that females and males reached their morphological sexual maturity at 26.9 and 30.4 mm CL. respectively. The percentage of immature females captured in the present study (54%) suggests that almost half of females are able to reproduce before they are caught. Egg production was positively correlated with body size; females that measured between 24.1 and 29.0 mm CL contributed roughly 90% to the offspring production of the population. Females from Costa Rica had a considerably lower average egg volume (0.039 mm(3)) and higher fecundity (9810) than females from Chile. In comparison to other American galatheids P. monodon from Costa Rica produces numerous but small eggs, a typical strategy of species with a prolonged larval development. An analysis between our results and information published about P. monodon from Chile also revealed differences in the size-frequency distribution shape of both populations. The non-exploited character of the Costa Rican P. monodon population and a latitudinal (temperature-related) cline in body size might be associated with these differences. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Hematological parameters and anaerobic threshold in Brazilian soccer players throughout a training program

We assessed the responses of hematological parameters and their relationship to the anaerobic threshold of Brazilian soccer players during a training program. Twelve athletes were evaluated at the beginning (week 0, T1), in the middle (week 6, T2), and at the end (week 12, T3) of the soccer training program. On the first day at 7:30 AM, before collecting the blood sample at rest for the determination of the hematological parameters, the athletes were conducted to the anthropometric evaluation. On the second day at 8:30 AM, the athletes had their anaerobic threshold measured. Analysis of variance with Newman-Keuls`post hoc was used for statistical comparisons between the parameters measured during the soccer training program. Correlations between the parameters analyzed were determined using the Pearson`s correlation coefficient. Erythrocytes concentration, hemoglobin, and hematocrit were significantly increased from T1 to T2. The specific soccer training program led to a rise in erythrocytes, hemoglobin, and hematocrit from T1 to T2. We assumed that these results occurred due to the plasma volume reduction and may be explained by the soccer training program characteristics. Furthermore, we did not observe any correlation between the anaerobic threshold and the hematological parameters.

Homicide mortality, socioeconomic development, and police violence in the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil

Objective. To analyze the association between police violence and homicide mortality rates taking into consideration the effect of contextual variables. Methods. This was an environmental, cross-sectional study that included the 96 census districts in the City of Sao Paulo. The association between the variables was analyzed using Spearman`s rank correlation and simple and multiple regression analysis. Results. Univariate analysis revealed a strong and significant association between homicide mortality coefficients and all the indicators of socioeconomic development and police violence. After controlling for potential confounding factors, the association between police violence and homicide mortality coefficients remained strong and significant. This significance was lost only after control for the size of the resident population. Conclusion. The results indicate that police action that violates basic human rights is not the right answer to urban violence. The combination of homicides from interpersonal violence and deaths from police violence results in negative socialization and promotes further violence.

Amphetamine modulates cellular recruitment and airway reactivity in a rat model of allergic lung inflammation

Asthma is characterized by pulmonary cellular infiltration, vascular exudation and airway hyperresponsiveness. Several drugs that modify central nervous system (CNS) activity can modulate the course of asthma. Amphetamine (AMPH) is a highly abused drug that presents potent stimulating effects on the CNS and has been shown to induce behavioral, biochemical and immunological effects. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of AMPH on pulmonary cellular influx, vascular permeability and airway reactivity. AMPH effects on adhesion molecule expression, IL-10 and IL-4 release and mast cell degranulation were also studied. Male Wistar rats were sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA) plus alum via subcutaneous injection. One week later, the rats received another injection of OVA-alum (booster). Two weeks after this booster, the rats were subjected to AMPH treatment 12 h prior to the OVA airway challenge. In rats treated with AMPH, the OVA challenge reduced cell recruitment into the lung, the vascular permeability and the cellular expression of ICAM-1 and Mac-1. Additionally, elevated levels of IL-10 and IL-4 were found in samples of lung explants from allergic rats. AMPH treatment, in comparison, increased IL-10 levels but reduced those of IL-4 in the lung explants. Moreover, the tracheal responsiveness to methacholine (MCh), as well as to an in vitro OVA challenge, was reduced by AMPH treatment, and levels of PCA titers were not modified by the drug. Our findings suggest that single AMPH treatment down-regulates several parameters of lung inflammation, such as cellular migration, vascular permeability and tracheal responsiveness. These results also indicate that AMPH actions on allergic lung inflammation include endothelium-leukocyte interaction mechanisms, cytokine release and mast cell degranulation. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Presence of the metabolic syndrome is associated with reduced adiponectin levels and liver dysfunction in patients with type 2 diabetes

No abstract.

RACE, RESOURCES, AND POLITICAL PARTICIPATION IN A BRAZILIAN CITY

Does race influence political behavior in Brazil? Using data from Belo Horizonte, Brazil, we explore whether an individual`s propensity to take part in a political association is affected by race, independent of socioeconomic position and of the availability of resources derived from this position. We found that white individuals participate more in political associations than do black individuals; however, after taking into account the differences in all types of resources, we found no difference in participation by racial groups. Nevertheless, by interacting race, skills, and income, it turns out that different racial groups use the same resources differently. A white individual`s propensity to participate politically is significantly more affected by income than a similar black individual`s propensity. Therefore, we argue that race mediates the effect of resources on political participation, which means that either different groups may use different resources or different groups can differ in how intensively they use resources.

Letters that construct limits: intellectual and political projects in the letters of Capistrano de Abreu to Barao do Rio Branco (1886-1903)

The intention of this paper is to analyze the letters from Capistrano de Abreu to Barao do Rio Branco in the years between 1886 and 1903. The focus will be given to the divergences around the notion of territorial formation, a basic concept for these authors who were thinking about the construction of a historical narrative at the end of the 19(th) and beginning of the 20(th) century. Later, the question is the construction of the craft of the historian in the letters of Capistrano de Abreu and his distinction and proximity to the ideas of the Barao do Rio Branco.

Achieving the millennium development goals for health - Cost effectiveness analysis of strategies for. maternal and neonatal health in developing countries

Objective To determine the costs and benefits of interventions for maternal and newborn health to assess the appropriateness of current strategies and guide future plans to attain the millennium development goals. Design Cost effectiveness analysis. Setting Two regions classified by the World Health Organization according to their epidemiological grouping: Afr-E, those countries in sub-Saharan Africa with very high adult and high child mortality, and Sear-D, comprising countries in South East Asia with high adult and high child mortality. Data sources Effectiveness data from several sources, including trials, observational studies, and expert opinion. For resource inputs, quantifies came from WHO guidelines, literature, and expert opinion, and prices from the WHO choosing interventions that are cost effective database. Main outcome measures Cost per disability adjusted life year (DALY) averted in year 2000 international dollars. Results The most cost effective mix of interventions was similar in Afr-E and Sear-D. These were the community based newborn care package, followed by antenatal care (tetanus toxoid, screening for pre-eclampsia, screening and treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria and syphilis); skilled attendance at birth, offering first level maternal and neonatal care around childbirth; and emergency obstetric and neonatal care around and after birth. Screening and treatment of maternal syphilis, community based management of neonatal pneumonia, and steroids given during the antenatal period were relatively less cost effective in Sear-D. Scaling up all of the included interventions to 95% coverage would halve neonatal and maternal deaths. Conclusion Preventive interventions at the community level for newborn babies and at the primary care level for mothers and newborn babies are extremely cost effective, but the millennium development goals for maternal and child health will not be achieved without universal access to clinical services as well.

Differences in the early biomechanical effects of hyperopic and myopic laser in situ keratomileusis

PURPOSE: To compare changes in corneal hysteresis (CH) and the corneal resistance factor (CRF) in myopic and hyperopic laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and evaluate their relationship to the number of photoablative pulses delivered, a surrogate for ablation volume. SETTING: Cleveland Clinic Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland, Ohio, USA. METHODS: Preoperative and 1-week postoperative Ocular Response Analyzer measurements in eyes that had femtosecond-assisted LASIK were studied retrospectively. Changes in CH and CRF were compared and tested for correlation with the number of excimer laser pulses. RESULTS: Thirteen myopic eyes and 11 hyperopic eyes were evaluated. Preoperative corneal thickness, CH, CRF, programmed correction magnitude, flap thickness, and total number of fixed spotsize photoablative pulses were similar in the 2 groups (P>.1). Decreases in CH and CRF were greater after myopic LASIK than after hyperopic LASIK (P<.005), and changes in CRF were correlated with the number of excimer laser pulses in the myopic group only (r = -0.63, P = .02). Regardless of ablation profile, changes in CH were more strongly correlated with preoperative CH values than with attempted ablation volume. CONCLUSIONS: With comparable flap thickness and attempted ablation volumes, myopic photoablation profiles were associated with greater decreases in CRF and CH than hyperopic profiles. Results indicate that preoperative corneal biomechanical status, ablation volume, and the spatial distribution of ablation are important factors that affect corneal resistance and viscous dissipative properties differently. Preferential tissue removal in the natively thicker paracentral cornea in hyperopia may partially account for the rarity of ectasia after hyperopic LASIK.

Genetic polymorphism in an inflammasome component, cervical mycoplasma detection and female infertility in women undergoing in vitro fertilization

The inflammasome is an inducible cytoplasmic structure that is responsible for production and release of biologically active interleukin-1 (IL-1). A polymorphism in the inflammasome component NALP3 has been associated with decreased IL-1 levels and increased occurrence of vaginal Candida infection. We hypothesized that this polymorphism-induced variation would influence susceptibility to infertility. DNA was obtained from 243 women who were undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) and tested for a length polymorphism in intron 2 of the gene coding for NALP3 (gene symbol CIAS1). At the conclusion of testing the findings were analyzed in relation to clinical parameters and IVF outcome. The frequency of the 12 unit repeat allele, associated with maximal inflammasome activity, was 62.3% in cases of female infertility vs. 75.6% in cases where only the male partner had a detectable fertility problem (p = 0.0095). Conversely, the frequency of the 7 unit repeat allele was 28.9% in those with a female fertility problem, 17.0% in women with infertile males and 18.4% in idiopathic infertility (p = 0.0124). Among the women who were cervical culture-positive for mycoplasma the frequency of the 7 unit repeat was 53.7% as opposed to 19.5% in those negative for this infection (p < 0.0001). We conclude that the CIAS1 7 unit repeat polymorphism increases the likelihood of mycoplasma infection-associated female infertility. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effects of Nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Treatment on Oxidative Stress and Adiponectin Levels in Obese Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Background: Obesity and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are both associated with the prevalence of major cardiovascular illnesses and certain common factors they are considered responsible for, such as stress oxidative increase, sympathetic tonus and resistance to insulin. Objective: The aim of the present study was to compare the effect of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) on oxidative stress and adiponectin levels in obese patients with and without OSA. Methods: Twenty-nine obese patients were categorized into 3 groups: group 1: 10 individuals without OSA (apnea-hypopnea index, AHI <= 5) who did not have OSA diagnosed at polysomnography; group 2: 10 patients with moderate to severe OSA (AHI >= 20) who did not use CPAP; group 3: 9 patients with moderate to severe OSA (AHI >= 20) who used CPAP. Results: Group 3 showed significant differences before and after the use of CPAP, in the variables of diminished production of superoxide, and increased nitrite and nitrate synthesis and adiponectin levels. Positive correlations were seen between the AHI and the superoxide production, between the nitrite and nitrate levels and the adiponectin levels, between superoxide production and the HOMA-IR, and between AHI and the HOMA-IR. Negative correlations were found between AHI and the nitrite and nitrate levels, between the superoxide production and that of nitric oxide, between the superoxide production and the adiponectin levels, between AHI and the adiponectin levels, and between the nitrite and nitrate levels and the HOMA-IR. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that the use of CPAP can reverse the increased superoxide production, the diminished serum nitrite, nitrate and plasma adiponectin levels, and the metabolic changes existing in obese patients with OSA. Copyright (C) 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel

EEG-based Brain-Computer Interfaces: An Overview of Basic Concepts and Clinical Applications in Neurorehabilitation

Some patients are no longer able to communicate effectively or even interact with the outside world in ways that most of us take for granted. In the most severe cases, tetraplegic or post-stroke patients are literally `locked in` their bodies, unable to exert any motor control after, for example, a spinal cord injury or a brainstem stroke, requiring alternative methods of communication and control. But we suggest that, in the near future, their brains may offer them a way out. Non-invasive electroencephalogram (EEG)-based brain-computer interfaces (BCD can be characterized by the technique used to measure brain activity and by the way that different brain signals are translated into commands that control an effector (e.g., controlling a computer cursor for word processing and accessing the internet). This review focuses on the basic concepts of EEG-based BC!, the main advances in communication, motor control restoration and the down-regulation of cortical activity, and the mirror neuron system (MNS) in the context of BCI. The latter appears to be relevant for clinical applications in the coming years, particularly for severely limited patients. Hypothetically, MNS could provide a robust way to map neural activity to behavior, representing the high-level information about goals and intentions of these patients. Non-invasive EEG-based BCIs allow brain-derived communication in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and motor control restoration in patients after spinal cord injury and stroke. Epilepsy and attention deficit and hyperactive disorder patients were able to down-regulate their cortical activity. Given the rapid progression of EEG-based BCI research over the last few years and the swift ascent of computer processing speeds and signal analysis techniques, we suggest that emerging ideas (e.g., MNS in the context of BC!) related to clinical neuro-rehabilitation of severely limited patients will generate viable clinical applications in the near future.