Comparative Analysis of Fecal Microbiota in Infants with and without Eczema

Eczema is a chronic form of childhood disorder that is gaining in prevalence in affluent societies. Previous studies hypothesized that the development of eczema is correlated with changes in microbial profile and composition of early life endemic microbiota, but contradictory conclusions were obtained, possibly due to the lack of minimization of apparent non-health related confounders (e.g., age, antibiotic consumption, diet and mode of delivery). In this study, we recruited seven caesarean-delivered and total formula-fed infants, and comparatively examined the early-life endemic microbiota in these infants with and without eczema. Using 16S pyrosequencing, infants' fecal microbiota were observed to comprise Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Actinobacteria and Bacteroidetes as the four main phyla, and the presence and absence of specific populations within these four phyla are primarily mediated by ageing. Quantitative analysis of bacterial targets on a larger sample size (n = 36 at 1, 3, and 12 months of age) revealed that the abundances of Bifidobacterium and Enterobacteriaceae were different among caesarean-delivered infants with and without eczema, and the bacterial targets may be potential biomarkers that can correlate to the health status of these infants. Our overall findings suggest that the minimization of possible confounders is essential prior to comparative evaluation and correlation of fecal microbiota to health status, and that stool samples collected from caesarean-delivered infants at less than 1 year of age may represent a good cohort to study for potential biomarkers that can distinguish infants with eczema from those without. These findings would greatly facilitate future efforts in understanding the possible pathogenesis behind certain bacterial targets, and may lead to a timely intervention that reduces the occurrence of early life eczema and possibly allergic disorders in later life

Influência do turno de rega no crescimento e produção do tomateiro no verão em Seropédica Influence of the irrigation schedule on growth and production of tomato during summer

Com o objetivo de analisar a influência do turno de rega na cultura do tomateiro para mesa (híbrido Débora tipo longa vida), realizou-se um experimento de campo, no delineamento em faixas, com quatro tratamentos e quatro repetições, de 21/09/05 a 31/01/06. Foram avaliados , o turno de rega diário (TR0); turno de rega alternado de um dia (TR1); turno de rega alternado de dois dias (TR2); e turno de rega alternado de três dias (TR3). Para todos os tratamentos foi reposto 100% da ETc. Durante o experimento, foram realizadas seis coletas para determinação da biomassa e da área foliar visando o estudo de análise do crescimento das plantas, sendo ajustadas equações para estimativa dos índices fisiológicos de crescimento da cultura. Foi possível constatar que o pico máximo de crescimento ocorreu entre 80 e 90 dias após o transplante, não sendo possível no entanto, diferenciar um tratamento que proporcionasse melhor crescimento. Os resultados obtidos indicaram que o turno de rega de três dias reduziu o número de frutos grandes (>60 mm) e aumentou o número de frutos miúdos (40 a 50 mm). Contudo, o turno de rega de dois dias proporcionou produção de tomate igual ou superior ao de turnos mais frequentes e com maior eficiência de uso de água. Para as condições de primavera-verão de 2005-2006 em Seropédica-RJ, o turno de rega alternado de dois dias mostrou-se mais favorável para recomendação aos agricultores.<br>The influence of the irrigation schedule was evaluated on the tomato culture, Debora hybrid for salad, in a field experiment, in a split plot design with four treatments and four replications, conducted from September, 21st, 2005 to January, 31st, 2006. We evaluated the irrigation every day (TR0); irrigation every two days (TR1); irrigation every three days (TR2); irrigation every four days (TR3). 100% of the ETc was applied in all treatments. During the essay, six samplings of plants were performed to determine the plant weight and leaf area to adjust equations for the estimation of the growth parameters. The maximum growth was obtained between 80 and 90 days after transplanting, but in these experimental conditions the growth analysis did not discriminate the treatments. The irrigation schedule of three days caused a reduction in the number of big fruits (>60 mm) and increase in the number of small fruits (40-50 mm). However, the irrigation frequency of two days showed the same or higher fruit quality of the smaller intervals, but with improved water use efficiency. For the spring-summer of 2005-2006 conditions, at Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, the irrigation schedule of two days was the best to be recommended for the farmer

Estudo comparativo da evolução e sobrevida de pacientes com claudicação intermitente, com ou sem limitação para exercícios, acompanhados em ambulatório específico Comparative study of evolution and survival of patients with intermittent claudication, with or without limitation for exercises, followed in a specific outpatient setting

CONTEXTO: Os fatores de risco para doença aterosclerótica, que influenciam na evolução natural dessa doença, estão bem estabelecidos, assim como o benefício do programa de exercícios para pacientes claudicantes. Entretanto, faltam informações sobre a relação entres limitações clínicas e fatores de risco, com desempenho do programa de caminhadas e suas implicações na evolução e mortalidade destes pacientes. OBJETIVO: Comparar, ao longo do tempo, a distância de claudicação e sobrevida de pacientes claudicantes em ambulatório específico, com ou sem limitação para exercícios. MÉTODOS: Foi feito um estudo tipo coorte retrospectivo de 185 pacientes e 469 retornos correspondentes, no período de 1999 a 2005, avaliando-se dados demográficos, distância média de claudicação (CI) e óbito. Os dados foram analisados nos programas Epi Info, versão 3.2, e SAS, versão 8.2. RESULTADOS: A idade média foi de 60,9±11,1 anos, sendo 61,1% do sexo masculino e 38,9% do sexo feminino. Oitenta e sete por cento eram brancos, e 13%, não-brancos. Os fatores de risco associados foram: hipertensão (69,7%), tabagismo (44,3%), dislipidemia (32,4%) e diabetes (28,6%). Nos claudicantes para menos de 500 m, a CI inicial em esteira foi de 154,0±107,6 m, e a CI final, de 199,8±120,5 m. Cerca de 45% dos pacientes tinham alguma limitação clínica para realizar o programa de exercícios preconizado, como: angina (26,0%), acidente vascular cerebral (4,3%), artropatia (3,8%), amputação menor ou maior com prótese (2,1%) ou doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica (1,6%). Cerca de 11,4% dos pacientes tinham infarto do miocárdio prévio, e 5,4% deles usavam cardiotônico. O tempo de seguimento médio foi de 16,0±14,4 meses. A distância média de CI referida pelos pacientes aumentou 100% (de 418,47 m para 817,74 m) ao longo de 2 anos, nos grupos não-limitante (p < 0,001) e não-tabagista (p < 0,001). A sobrevida dos claudicantes foi significativamente menor no grupo com limitação. A análise de regressão logística mostrou que a limitação para realização de exercícios, isoladamente, influenciou significativamente na mortalidade (p < 0,001). CONCLUSÃO: A realização correta e regular dos exercícios e o abandono do fumo melhoram a distância de claudicação, além de reduzir a mortalidade nesses casos, seja por meio de efeitos positivos próprios do exercício, seja por meio de controle dos fatores de risco e de seus efeitos adversos.<br>BACKGROUND: Risk factors for atherosclerotic disease acting on natural history are well established, as well as the benefits of physical training in the treatment of intermittent claudication (IC). However, current data do not provide enough information about the relationship between clinical limitations and risk factors and the performance of physical training and its implications on the evolution and mortality of these patients. OBJECTIVE: To compare the claudication distance and survival of patients with IC throughout time in a specific outpatient setting, with or without limitation for exercises. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed to review the protocols of 185 patients and 469 returns, from 1999 to 2005, evaluating demographic data, average claudication distance and death. The data were analyzed using the software Epi-Info, version 3.2, and SAS, version 8.2. RESULTS: Mean age was 60.9±11.1 years; 61.1% were males and 38.9% were females; 87% were Caucasians and 13% were non-Caucasians. Associated risk factors were hypertension (69.7%), smoking (44.3%), dyslipidemia (32.4%), and diabetes (28.6%). For the patients with claudicating distance lower than 500 m, mean initial distance was 154.0±107.6 m and final distance was 199.8±120.5 m. About 45% of the patients had some clinical limitation to perform the prescribed exercise program, such as angina (26.0%), stroke (4.3%), osteoarthrosis (3.8%), previous minor or major amputation (2.1%), or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (1.6%). About 11.4% of the patients had previous myocardial infarction, and 5.4% of them were using cardiotonic drugs. Mean follow-up time was 16.0±14.4 months. Mean claudication distance increased 100% (418.47 to 817.74 m) throughout 2 years in the group without limitation (p < 0.001) and in nonsmokers (p < 0.001). Survival rate of patients with IC was significantly reduced in the group with limitation for exercises. Logistic regression analysis showed that limitation to exercises was the single factor significantly influencing mortality (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Proper and regular exercises and quitting smoking improve claudication distance and reduce mortality rates of these patients, whether by the positive effects of exercises or by controlling risk factors and their adverse effects