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Identificação de linhas macho-estéreis e mantenedoras da macho-esterilidade na cultivar de cebola BRS Alfa São Francisco.

O objetivo final do trabalho é o desenvolvimento de híbridos adaptados às condições tropicais do Nordeste brasileiro, que apresentem tolerância às altas temperaturas e à principal doença da cebola na região, o mal-de-sete-voltas (Colletotrichum gloesporioides).Suplemento. Edição dos resumos expandidos do 45. Congresso Brasileiro de Olericultura; 15. Congresso Brasileiro de Floricultura e Plantas Ornamentais; 2. Congresso Brasileiro de Cultura de Tecidos de Plantas, Fortaleza, ago. 2005. 1 CD-ROM

Spirometric changes in obstructive disease: after all, how much is significant?

OBJECTIVE: To establish the upper limits for changes in FEV1, slow vital capacity (SVC), FVC, and inspiratory capacity (IC) after placebo administration in patients with airflow obstruction. METHODS: One hundred and two adults with airflow obstruction (FEV1 = 62 ± 19% of predicted) were included in the study. All of the participants performed SVC and FVC maneuvers before and after the administration of placebo spray. The changes in FEV1, SVC, FVC, and IC were expressed as absolute values, percentage of change from baseline values, and percentage of predicted values, 95% CIs and 95th percentiles being calculated. Factor analysis was performed in order to determine how those changes clustered. RESULTS: Considering the 95% CIs and 95th percentiles and after rounding the values, we found that the upper limits for a significant response were as follows: FEV1 = 0.20 L, FVC = 0.20 L, SVC = 0.25 L, and IC = 0.30 L (expressed as absolute values); FEV1 = 12%, FVC = 7%, SVC = 10%, and IC = 15% (expressed as percentage of change from baseline values); and FEV1 = 7%, FVC = 6%, SVC = 7%, and IC = 12% (expressed as percentage of predicted values). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with airflow obstruction, IC varies more widely than do FVC and SVC. For IC, values greater than 0.30 L and 15% of change from the baseline value can be considered significant. For FVC, values greater than 0.20 L and 7% of change from the baseline value are significant. Alternatively, changes exceeding 0.20 L and 7% of the predicted value can be considered significant for FEV1 and FVC. On factor analysis, spirometric parameters clustered into three dimensions, expressing changes in flows, volumes, and dynamic hyperinflation.OBJETIVO: Estabelecer os limites superiores para mudanças em VEF1, capacidade vital lenta (CVL), CVF e capacidade inspiratória (CI) após o uso de placebo em pacientes com obstrução ao fluxo aéreo. MÉTODOS: Cento e dois adultos com obstrução ao fluxo aéreo (VEF1 = 62 ± 19% do previsto) foram incluídos neste estudo. Todos os participantes realizaram manobras de CVL e CVF antes e depois do uso de spray de placebo. As mudanças em VEF1, CVL, CVF e CI foram expressas em valores absolutos, porcentagem de variação em relação aos valores basais e porcentagem dos valores previstos, e foram calculados os IC95% e os percentis 95. A análise fatorial foi realizada a fim de determinar como essas alterações se agrupavam. RESULTADOS: Considerando os IC95% e percentis 95 e após o arredondamento dos valores, obtivemos os seguintes limites superiores para resposta significante: VEF1 = 0,20 L, CVF = 0,20 L, CVL = 0,25 L e CI = 0,30 L (em valores absolutos); VEF1 = 12%, CVF = 7%, CVL = 10% e CI = 15% (em porcentagem de variação em relação aos valores basais) e VEF1 = 7%, CVF = 6%, CVL = 7% e CI = 12% (em porcentagem dos valores previstos). CONCLUSÕES: Em pacientes com obstrução ao fluxo aéreo, a CI apresenta maior variabilidade do que a CVF e a CVL. Para a CI, valores maiores que 0,30 L e 15% de variação em relação ao valor basal devem ser considerados significantes. Para CVF, valores maiores que 0,20L e 7% de variação em relação ao valor basal são significantes. Alternativamente, alterações de mais de 0,20 L e 7% do previsto no VEF1 e na CVF devem ser consideradas significantes. Na análise fatorial, os parâmetros espirométricos se agruparam em três dimensões, expressando mudanças no fluxo, volume e hiperinsuflação dinâmica.Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do NorteUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP)Hospital do Servidor Público Estadual de São PauloUNIFESPSciEL

Effectiveness of a web-based self-help smoking cessation intervention: protocol of a randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Cigarette smoking is a major risk factor for many chronic and fatal illnesses. Stopping smoking directly reduces those risks. The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of a web-based interactive self-help programme for smoking cessation, known as the StopSite, by comparing it to an online self-help guide. Both interventions were based on cognitive-behavioural and self-control principles, but the former provided exercises, feedback and interactive features such as one-to-one chatrooms and a user forum, which facilitated mutual support and experience sharing. METHODS AND DESIGN: We conducted a randomised controlled trial to compare the interactive intervention with the self-help guide. The primary outcome measure was prolonged abstinence from smoking. Secondary outcomes were point-prevalence abstinence, number of cigarettes smoked, and incidence of quit attempts reported at follow-up assessments. Follow-up assessments took place three and six months after a one-month grace period for starting the intervention after baseline. Analyses were based on intention-to-treat principles using a conservative imputation method for missing data, whereby non-responders were classified as smokers. DISCUSSION: The trial should add to the body of knowledge on the effectiveness of web-based self-help smoking cessation interventions. Effective web-based programmes can potentially help large numbers of smokers to quit, thus having a major public health impact. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN7442376

Large-scale genome-wide association studies and meta-analyses of longitudinal change in adult lung function.

BACKGROUND: Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified numerous loci influencing cross-sectional lung function, but less is known about genes influencing longitudinal change in lung function. METHODS: We performed GWAS of the rate of change in forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) in 14 longitudinal, population-based cohort studies comprising 27,249 adults of European ancestry using linear mixed effects model and combined cohort-specific results using fixed effect meta-analysis to identify novel genetic loci associated with longitudinal change in lung function. Gene expression analyses were subsequently performed for identified genetic loci. As a secondary aim, we estimated the mean rate of decline in FEV1 by smoking pattern, irrespective of genotypes, across these 14 studies using meta-analysis. RESULTS: The overall meta-analysis produced suggestive evidence for association at the novel IL16/STARD5/TMC3 locus on chromosome 15 (P  =  5.71 × 10(-7)). In addition, meta-analysis using the five cohorts with ≥3 FEV1 measurements per participant identified the novel ME3 locus on chromosome 11 (P  =  2.18 × 10(-8)) at genome-wide significance. Neither locus was associated with FEV1 decline in two additional cohort studies. We confirmed gene expression of IL16, STARD5, and ME3 in multiple lung tissues. Publicly available microarray data confirmed differential expression of all three genes in lung samples from COPD patients compared with controls. Irrespective of genotypes, the combined estimate for FEV1 decline was 26.9, 29.2 and 35.7 mL/year in never, former, and persistent smokers, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In this large-scale GWAS, we identified two novel genetic loci in association with the rate of change in FEV1 that harbor candidate genes with biologically plausible functional links to lung function

Aquaporin 5 Polymorphisms and Rate of Lung Function Decline in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

RATIONALE: Aquaporin-5 (AQP5) can cause mucus overproduction and lower lung function. Genetic variants in the AQP5 gene might be associated with rate of lung function decline in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). METHODS: Five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in AQP5 were genotyped in 429 European American individuals with COPD randomly selected from the NHLBI Lung Health Study. Mean annual decline in FEV(1) % predicted, assessed over five years, was calculated as a linear regression slope, adjusting for potential covariates and stratified by smoking status. Constructs containing the wildtype allele and risk allele of the coding SNP N228K were generated using site-directed mutagenesis, and transfected into HBE-16 (human bronchial epithelial cell line). AQP5 abundance and localization were assessed by immunoblots and confocal immunofluorescence under control, shear stress and cigarette smoke extract (CSE 10%) exposed conditions to test for differential expression or localization. RESULTS: Among continuous smokers, three of the five SNPs tested showed significant associations (0.02>P>0.004) with rate of lung function decline; no associations were observed among the group of intermittent or former smokers. Haplotype tests revealed multiple association signals (0.012>P>0.0008) consistent with the single-SNP results. In HBE16 cells, shear stress and CSE led to a decrease in AQP5 abundance in the wild-type, but not in the N228K AQP5 plasmid. CONCLUSIONS: Polymorphisms in AQP5 were associated with rate of lung function decline in continuous smokers with COPD. A missense mutation modulates AQP-5 expression in response to cigarette smoke extract and shear stress. These results suggest that AQP5 may be an important candidate gene for COPD

Detection of macrolide and disinfectant resistance genes in clinical Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Staphylococcus aureus </it>and Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) are a major source of infections associated with indwelling medical devices. Many antiseptic agents are used in hygienic handwash to prevent nosocomial infections by Staphylococci. Our aim was to determine the antibiotic susceptibility and resistance to quaternary ammonium compound of 46 <it>S. aureus </it>strains and 71 CoNS.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p><it>S. aureus </it>(n = 46) isolated from auricular infection and CoNS (n = 71), 22 of the strains isolated from dialysis fluids and 49 of the strains isolated from needles cultures were investigated. Erythromycin resistance genes (<it>erm</it>A, <it>erm</it>B, <it>erm</it>C, <it>msr</it>A and <it>mef</it>) were analysed by multiplex PCR and disinfectant-resistant genes (<it>qac</it>A, <it>qac</it>B, and <it>qac</it>C) were studied by PCR-RFLP.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The frequency of erythromycin resistance genes in <it>S. aureus </it>was: <it>erm</it>A+ 7.7%, <it>erm</it>B+ 13.7%, <it>erm</it>C+ 6% and <it>msr</it>A+ 10.2%. In addition, the number of positive isolates in CoNS was respectively <it>erm</it>A+ (9.4%), <it>erm</it>B+ (11.1%), <it>erm</it>C+ (27.4%), and <it>msr</it>A+ (41%). The MIC analyses revealed that 88 isolates (74%) were resistant to quaternary ammonium compound-based disinfectant benzalkonium chloride (BC). 56% of the BC-resistant staphylococcus isolates have at least one of the three resistant disinfectants genes (<it>qac</it>A, <it>qac</it>B and <it>qac</it>C). Nine strains (7.7%) among the CoNS species and two <it>S. aureus </it>strains (2%) harboured the three-<it>qac </it>genes. In addition, the <it>qac</it>C were detected in 41 strains.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Multi-resistant strains towards macrolide and disinfectant were recorded. The investigation of antibiotics and antiseptic-resistant CoNS may provide crucial information on the control of nosocomial infections.</p

Mesothelioma incidence surveillance systems and claims for workers’ compensation. Epidemiological evidence and prospects for an integrated framework

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Malignant mesothelioma is an aggressive and lethal tumour strongly associated with exposure to asbestos (mainly occupational). In Italy a large proportion of workers are protected from occupational diseases by public insurance and an epidemiological surveillance system for incident mesothelioma cases.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We set up an individual linkage between the Italian national mesothelioma register (ReNaM) and the Italian workers’ compensation authority (INAIL) archives. Logistic regression models were used to identify and test explanatory variables.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We extracted 3270 mesothelioma cases with occupational origins from the ReNaM, matching them with 1625 subjects in INAIL (49.7%); 91.2% (1,482) of the claims received compensation. The risk of not seeking compensation is significantly higher for women and the elderly. Claims have increased significantly in recent years and there is a clear geographical gradient (northern and more developed regions having higher claims rates). The highest rates of compensation claims were after work known to involve asbestos.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our data illustrate the importance of documentation and dissemination of all asbestos exposure modalities. Strategies focused on structural and systematic interaction between epidemiological surveillance and insurance systems are needed.</p