Determinants of bone mineral density in post-menopause

Pós-menopausa é período de maior perda óssea e faz-se necessário instituir medidas preventivas que amenizem sua progressão. Objetivo: correlacionar o escore da densidade mineral óssea (DMO) e seus fatores de risco, buscando determinar aqueles que mais a influenciam. Método: estudo transversal, descritivo de 62 mulheres na pós-menopausa, saudáveis, idade média de 56,82 ± 4,02 anos, avaliadas quanto aos fatores de risco para osteoporose e nível de atividade física. Absorção de dupla energia de raios-X (DXA) avaliou coluna lombar e fêmur proximal. Os grupos, DMO normal e diminuída, foram analisados pelos testes T de Student, qui-quadrado e correlações. Resultados: Mulheres com menor índice de massa corporal (IMC), maior idade e maior tempo de menopausa apresentaram menor DMO em fêmur. Raça negra e ausência de história familiar correlacionaram-se com maior DMO. Conclusão: IMC, idade, peso, história familiar de osteoporose, raça e tempo de menopausa foram os principais fatores determinantes da DMO em mulheres na pós-menopausaPost-menopause is the period of greatest bone loss and it is necessary to introduce preventative measures to mitigate its progression. Aim: compare the score of bone mineral density (BMD) and their risk factors and to determine those most influencing. Method: Cross-sectional, descriptive study of 62 postmenopausal women, healthy, average age 56.82 ± 4.02 years, evaluated for risk factors for osteoporosis and physical activity level. Absorption dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) evaluated lumbar spine and proximal femur. Groups, normal and reduced BMD were analyzed by Student’s t test, chisquare and correlations. Results: Women with lower body mass index (BMI), older age and longer duration of menopause had lower BMD at the femur. Black race and absence of family history correlated with higher BMD. Conclusion: BMI, age, weight, family history of osteoporosis, race, and time since menopause were the main determinants of BMD in postmenopausal wome

Allele-specific antibodies to Plasmodium vivax merozoite surface protein-1: prevalence and inverse relationship to haemoglobin levels during infection.

BACKGROUND: Antigenic polymorphisms are considered as one of the main strategies employed by malaria parasites to escape from the host immune responses after infections. Merozoite surface protein-1 (MSP-1) of Plasmodium vivax, a promising vaccine candidate, is a highly polymorphic protein whose immune recognition is not well understood. METHODS AND RESULTS: The IgG responses to conserved (MSP-119) and polymorphic (block 2 and block 10) epitopes of PvMSP-1 were evaluated in 141 P. vivax infected patients. Ten recombinant proteins corresponding to block 2 (variants BR07, BP29, BP39, BP30, BEL) and block 10 (BR07, BP29, BP39, BP01, BP13) often observed in Brazilian P. vivax isolates were assessed by ELISA in order to determine levels of specific antibodies and their respective seroprevalence. The magnitude and the frequency of variant-specific responses were very low, except for BR07 variant (>40%), which was the predominant haplotype as revealed by block 10 PvMSP-1 gene sequencing. By contrast, 89% of patients had IgG against the C-terminal conserved domain (PvMSP-119), confirming the high antigenicity of this protein. Using multiple linear and logistic regression models, there was evidence for a negative association between levels of haemoglobin and several IgG antibodies against block 2 variant antigens, with the strongest association being observed for BP39 allelic version. This variant was also found to increase the odds of anaemia in these patients. CONCLUSIONS: These findings may have implications for vaccine development and represent an important step towards a better understanding of the polymorphic PvMSP-1 domain as potential targets of vaccine development. These data highlight the importance of extending the study of these polymorphic epitopes of PvMSP-1 to different epidemiological settings

Synthesis, anti-toxoplasma gondii and antimicrobial activities of 2-hydrazolyl-3-phenyl-5-(4-nitrobenzylidene)-4-thiazolidinone substituted derivatives

A novel series of 2-hydrazolyl-3-phenyl-5-(4-nitrobenzylidene)-4-thiazolidinone substituted (3a-p) has been synthesized. The intermediates 2-hydrazolyl-3-phenyl-4-thiazolidinone substituted (2a-p) were prepared by condensation of benzaldehyde 4-phenyl-3-thiosemicarbazone substituted (1a-p) with ethyl chloroacetate. Theses intermediates were submitted to reaction with ethyl 2-cyano-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-acetate to give the title compounds. The 4-thiazolidinones were screened for their anti-Toxoplasma gondii, and all derivatives promoted decrease of percentage of infection of Vero cells, with elimination of intracellular tachyzoites. The LD50 ranged around 0.5 mM for the intracellular parasites and were higher than 10 mM for Vero cells. According to results of antimicrobial activity, only two compounds showed significant inhibition against M. luteus, but demonstrated higher values of MIC and MBC when compared with standard drug.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

In vitro evaluation of modified surface microhardness measurement, focus variation 3D microscopy and contact stylus profilometry to assess enamel surface loss after erosive-abrasive challenges

The aim of the study was to compare surface loss values after erosion-abrasion cycles obtained with modified surface microhardness measurement (mSMH), focus variation 3D microscopy (FVM) and contact stylus profilometry (CSP). We cut human molars into buccal and lingual halves, embedded them in resin and ground 200 μm of enamel away. The resulting surfaces were polished. To maintain a reference area, we applied Block-Out resin to partly cover the enamel surface. The samples were incubated in artificial saliva (37°C; 1 h), then rinsed in deionized water (10 s) and dried with oil-free air (5 s). We immersed the specimens individually in 30 mL citric acid (1%, pH 3.6) for 2 min (25°C, 70 rpm dynamic conditions) before brushing them (50 strokes, 200 g) in an automatic brushing machine with toothpaste-slurry. We calculated the surface loss as per mSMH, by re-measuring the length of the same six indentations made before the abrasive challenge. The experiment consisted of five experimental groups that received between 2 and 10 erosion-abrasion cycles. Each group contained 15 specimens and samples in groups 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 underwent a total of 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 cycles, respectively. The resin was removed from the reference area in one piece under 10× magnification and the FVM and CSP were performed. Agreement between the methods was calculated with the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and depicted in Bland-Altman plots. All methods presented a linear pattern of surface loss measurements throughout the experiment, leading overall to a strong, statistically significant correlation between the methods (ICC = 0.85; p<0.001). So, despite the different surface loss values, all methods presented consistent results for surface loss measurement

Lymphatic endothelial cells are a replicative niche for Mycobacterium tuberculosis

In extrapulmonary tuberculosis, the most common site of infection is within the lymphatic system, and there is growing recognition that lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) are involved in immune function. Here, we identified LECs, which line the lymphatic vessels, as a niche for Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the lymph nodes of patients with tuberculosis. In cultured primary human LECs (hLECs), we determined that M. tuberculosis replicates both in the cytosol and within autophagosomes, but the bacteria failed to replicate when the virulence locus RD1 was deleted. Activation by IFN-γ induced a cell-autonomous response in hLECs via autophagy and NO production that restricted M. tuberculosis growth. Thus, depending on the activation status of LECs, autophagy can both promote and restrict replication. Together, these findings reveal a previously unrecognized role for hLECs and autophagy in tuberculosis pathogenesis and suggest that hLECs are a potential niche for M. tuberculosis that allows establishment of persistent infection in lymph nodes

High rates of physical inactivity and cardiovascular risk factors in patients with resistant hypertension

Background: Hypertension.is a multifactorial disease of high prevalence in Brazil and the world’s population and is the major treatable risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Objectives: To investigate the prevalence, according to sex, of risk behaviors and comorbidities associated with Hypertension.in the treated patients in Hiperdia Center Viçosa, MG. Methods: Cross-sectional study that evaluated 172 medical records of hypertensive patients greater than 18 years, nondiabetic, referred to the center of Viçosa Hiperdia. Among the data evaluated from analysis of medical records are the factors and behaviors of cardiovascular risk as overweight / obesity, dyslipidemia, smoking, drinking and physical inactivity, as well as medical conditions or comorbidities associated with hypertension. For data analysis were used the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Mann-Whitney test and the Pearson correlation test. The level of significance was 5%. Results: There was a higher prevalence of men among the patients and rates of alcoholism and smoking were significantly higher in this group. Women had a higher rate of obesity. Physical inactivity and dyslipidemia were present in 77% and 44% of patients, respectively, with no difference between sexes. Resistant Hypertension.was found in 71% of patients. Lower education was also very present among the hypertensive. Among the clinical conditions related to hypertension, there was a predominance of left ventricular hypertrophy, followed by kidney disease and cerebrovascular disease. Conclusions: The study showed that 71% of patients were classified as resistant Hypertension.and that, beyond this serious condition, they still showed a combination of behaviors and risk factors that confer a high risk of cardiovascular complicationsFundamento: A hipertensão arterial sistêmica é uma doença multifatorial, de alta prevalência na população brasileira e mundial e constitui o principal fator de risco tratável para as doenças cardiovasculares. Objetivos: Verificar a prevalência, de acordo com o sexo, dos comportamentos de risco e das comorbidades associadas à hipertensão nos pacientes atendidos no Centro Hiperdia de Viçosa, MG Métodos: Estudo transversal que avaliou 172 prontuários de hipertensos maiores de 18 anos, não diabéticos, encaminhados ao Centro Hiperdia de Viçosa. Entre os dados avaliados a partir de análise de prontuários estão os fatores e comportamentos de risco cardiovascular como sobrepeso/obesidade, dislipidemia, tabagismo, etilismo e sedentarismo, bem como condições clínicas ou comorbidades associadas à HAS. Para análise dos dados foram empregados os testes de Kolmogorov-Smirnov, o teste de Mann-Whitney e o teste de correlação de Pearson. O nível de significância adotado foi de 5%. Resultados: Observou-se uma prevalência maior de homens entre os hipertensos analisados e as taxas de etilismo e tabagismo foram significativamente maiores neste grupo. As mulheres apresentaram uma taxa maior de obesidade. O sedentarismo e a dislipidemia estiveram presentes em 77% e 44% dos pacientes, respectivamente, sem diferença entre os sexos. Hipertensão arterial resistente foi encontrada em 71% dos pacientes. Dentre as condições clínicas relacionadas à hipertensão, houve um predomínio da hipertrofia do ventrículo esquerdo, seguida pela doença renal e pela doença cerebrovascular. Conclusões: O estudo mostrou que 71 % dos pacientes eram classificados como hipertensos resistentes e que, além desta séria condição, os mesmos ainda apresentavam uma combinação de comportamentos e fatores de risco que conferem um alto risco de complicações cardiovasculare

Synthesis, anti-toxoplasma gondii and antimicrobial activities of 2-hydrazolyl-3-phenyl-5-(4-nitrobenzylidene)-4-thiazolidinone substituted derivatives

A novel series of 2-hydrazolyl-3-phenyl-5-(4-nitrobenzylidene)-4-thiazolidinone substituted (3a-p) has been synthesized. The intermediates 2-hydrazolyl-3-phenyl-4-thiazolidinone substituted (2a-p) were prepared by condensation of benzaldehyde 4-phenyl-3-thiosemicarbazone substituted (1a-p) with ethyl chloroacetate. Theses intermediates were submitted to reaction with ethyl 2-cyano-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-acetate to give the title compounds. The 4-thiazolidinones were screened for their anti-Toxoplasma gondii, and all derivatives promoted decrease of percentage of infection of Vero cells, with elimination of intracellular tachyzoites. The LD50 ranged around 0.5 mM for the intracellular parasites and were higher than 10 mM for Vero cells. According to results of antimicrobial activity, only two compounds showed significant inhibition against M. luteus, but demonstrated higher values of MIC and MBC when compared with standard drug.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Cinema: an humanist and pedagogical tool for themes in Health-Education. The experience of CineSocial

Study design: The approach to the research was qualitative. Objective: we used the audiovisual resources (movies) to make teachers, students and health professionals reflect, discuss and updatesocial subjects relevant to health and education. Methodology: The Project was structured as a coursewith five meetings that took place between 2008 August and December. Subjects relevant to PublicHealth and Education were focused (hunger, school violence, teenage pregnancy, health-disease process and teenage drug abuse); for each theme, specialists were invited. The instrument used to acquirethe participant perceptions was a questionnaire with 14 semi-structured questions and at the end ofeach meeting, a report was requested. A Thematic analysis of narrative was conducted with the materialfrom the individual reflection report. Results: The meeting had the presence of 49 participants (undergraduates, public teachers, health professionals, graduates and professors). In the analysis of thenarrative open question material from the individual reflection report, we could identify two sets of categories: the first one identified was the participants' expectancy before beginning the CineSocial project andthe second one identified was the participants' opinions about the course relevance. Discussion andConclusions: The cinema use enabled knowledge flow and experience diffusion; it also corroborated theidea that not only documentaries and fiction films could express the knowledge aimed by Science, butother types of cinema as well. Focusing on cinema was not the priority of this experience, the priority wasfocus on life, society, school, exclusion, current subjects present inside or outside of the school.Modelo do estudo: Abordagem qualitativa de pesquisa Objetivo: foi utilizado recurso audiovisual (filmes)para propiciar reflexões, discussões e atualização de professores, alunos e profissionais da saúde emtemas sociais pertinentes às áreas da saúde e educação. Metodologia: o projeto foi estruturado em formade curso de difusão com cinco encontros, entre agosto e dezembro de 2008. Foram abordados temasrelevantes em Saúde e Educação (fome, violência escolar, gravidez na adolescência, processo saúdedoença e drogas na adolescência) e foram convidados especialistas em cada temática para debate. Oinstrumento utilizado para captar as percepções dos participantes foi um questionário de 14 questõessemi-estruturadas e ao final de cada encontro foi solicitada a entrega de relatório. Foi realizada AnáliseTemática de Narrativa de material proveniente dos relatórios individuais de reflexão. Resultados: osencontros tiveram a presença de 49 participantes (estudantes de graduação, professores da rede municipal de ensino, profissionais da área da saúde, pós-graduandos e docentes do ensino superior). Naanálise do material narrativo advindo das questões abertas dos relatórios individuais de reflexão foipossível levantar dois blocos de categorias, sendo que o primeiro deles destacou as expectativas que osparticipantes tinham antes de iniciar o projeto CineSocial e o segundo bloco levantou a opinião dosparticipantes sobre a relevância do curso. Discussão e Conclusões: o uso do cinema possibilitou acirculação dos conhecimentos, tornou possível a difusão de experiências, corroborou a ideia de quedocumentários assim como filmes de ficção podem exprimir os conhecimentos orientados pela Ciência.Pensar a arte do cinema não foi a prioridade dessa experiência, a prioridade foi pensar a vida, a sociedade, a escola, a saúde, a exclusão social e temas do cotidiano presentes dentro ou fora das escolas