Oral and genital ulcerations as the initial manifestation of leukemia in a child

OBJECTIVE: Increase awareness among pediatricians about the presence of aphtous oral lesions and genital ulcers as an initial manifestation of leukemia. CASE DESCRIPTION: A ten-year-old girl, who presented oral and genital ulcers, with a diagnostic hypothesis of Behcet disease. Due to persistent leucopenia, myelograms were performed and, initially, suggested a myelodysplastic syndrome, which progressed to an acute myeloid leukemia. COMMENTS: The authors would like to alert about the rarity of this association and the absence of similar reported cases in the pediatric literature.OBJETIVO: Alertar o pediatra para a presença de lesões aftosas orais e úlceras genitais como manifestação inicial de leucemia. DESCRIÇÃO DE CASO: Menina de dez anos de idade, com quadro de úlceras orais e genitais e hipótese diagnóstica de doença de Behçet. Em virtude de leucopenia, foram realizados mielogramas que, inicialmente, demonstraram se tratar de síndrome mielodisplásica e que, posteriormente, evoluiu para leucemia mielóide aguda. COMENTÁRIOS: Os autores alertam para a raridade da associação e para a ausência na literatura de casos na faixa etária pediátrica.Hospital Professor Edmundo VasconcelosUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de Medicina Departamento de PediatriaIrmandade da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo Departamento de Pediatria Serviço de Hemato-Oncologia InfantilUNIFESP, EPM, Depto. de PediatriaSciEL

Incidence of Chlamydia trachomatis and other potential pathogens in neonatal conjunctivitis.

Abstract Objective: Ocular infection in neonatology is a permanent and important health problem. To improve primary attention, prevention, and control, the study of the potential bacterial etiology of all consecutive cases of conjunctivitis was incorporated as a regular procedure in primary care from July 1995 to December 1998. Materials and Methods: Prof. A. Posadas Hospital (Great Buenos Aires) has an average of 4294 births per year. This report analyzes the results obtained in 332 infants (age range, 0–30 d) with conjunctivitis. Clinical conjunctivitis was diagnosed in inpatients and outpatients by the same specialized staff. Isolation and characterization of bacteria were done by conventional microbiologic methods, including specific search for Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis . Chlamydia trachomatis was studied by antigen immunodetection and polymerase chain reaction, and genotyped by restriction fragment length polymorphism. Results: Conjunctivitis had an incidence (cases per 1000 live births) of 39.6 in 1995, 25.3 in 1996, 15.4 in 1997, and 15.2 in 1998. Microbial growth was detected in 167 (50.3%) of 332 cases. Ocular C. trachomatis infection was detected in 26 cases (7.83%). Five of seven isolates in tissue cultures belonged to type E and two to type G. Bacteria from respiratory ecology were the main isolates: Haemophilus influenzae (16.9%), Streptococcus pneumoniae (12.3%), and Staphylococcus aureus (8.7%). Haemophilus influenzae isolates were not serotyped and 17.2% of them were β-lactamase producers. In 15 cases both H. influenzae and S. pneumoniae were isolated together. Of S. pneumoniae , 4,9% were oxacillin resistant. Conclusions: There has been a decline in the total number of cases of neonatal conjunctivitis, but the disease is still an important health problem. Chlamydia trachomatis also shows a decreasing profile with an incidence of (cases per 1000 live births) 4.39 in 1995, 1.85 in 1996, 1.01 in 1997, and 0.78 in 1998, and a tendency to show more incidence in spring-summer and significant accumulation of cases in babies between 7 and 9 days of age. Haemophilus influenzae alone (12.3%) or associated with S. pneumoniae (4.5%) appears as a prevalent potential bacterial pathogen. A significant accumulation of H. influenzae and S. pneumoniae cases occurs in winter. In 47.6% of cases, there was no bacterial growth. No significant seasonal differences in percentage of negative cultures or among the three-day age groups were detected. Neisseria gonorrhoeae was not found associated with ophthalmia neonatorum in this series

TROCAS GASOSAS DE PLANTAS JOVENS DE TAXI-BRANCO SUBMETIDAS À VARIAÇÃO DE TEMPERATURA FOLIAR E SUSPENSÃO DA IRRIGAÇÃO

The study aimed to investigate the influence of leaf temperature variation associated with irrigation suspension on gas exchange of seedlings of Sclerolobium paniculatum Vogel. The study was carried out in a greenhouse at experimental area of Embrapa, Amazônia Ocidental. Plants were grown in a greenhouse and, after four months were subjected to three treatments (irrigated maintained until the field capacity, irrigation suspended for eight and 14 days). We evaluated the physiological parameters of gas exchange, net assimilation rate of CO2 (A), leaf transpiration (E), stomatal conductance (gs) and water use efficiency (WUE) which were obtained through a photosynthesis portable meter (CI-340, CID, Inc). The results showed reduction of net assimilation rate of CO2 depending on the elevation of the leaf temperature and without irrigation. After eight days without irrigation, decreased rates of photosynthetic assimilation of CO2 in 62, 65, 75, 58, 50 and 64%, and after 14 days the reduction was 80, 85, 85, 84, 86 and 93% compared to plants irrigated maintained at temperatures of 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 and 50 °C, respectively. The leaf transpiration was inversely proportional to rates of net photosynthetic assimilation of CO2, which has increased with an increased leaf temperature. The physiological behavior of gas exchange of Sclerolobium paniculatum showed variations both as regards to the effect of leaf temperature as the suspension of irrigation.O objetivo deste trabalho foi investigar a influência da variação de temperatura foliar associada à suspensão de irrigação sobre as trocas gasosas de plantas jovens de taxi-branco (Sclerolobium paniculatum Vogel). O estudo foi realizado em casa de vegetação na área experimental da Embrapa Amazônia Ocidental. As plantas cresceram em casa de vegetação e depois de quatro meses de aclimatização foram submetidas a três regimes hídricos (mantidas irrigadas até a capacidade de campo do solo, irrigação suspensa por oito e 14 dias). Foram avaliados os parâmetros fisiológicos de trocas gasosas, taxa de assimilação líquida de CO2 (A), transpiração foliar (E), condutância estomática (gs) e eficiência no uso da água (EUA) os quais foram obtidos por meio do medidor portátil de fotossíntese (CI-340, CID, Inc.). Os resultados mostraram que houve redução das taxas de assimilação líquida de CO2 em função da elevação da temperatura foliar e da suspensão da irrigação. Após oito dias de suspensão da irrigação houve redução das taxas de assimilação líquida de CO2 fotossintéticas em 62, 65, 75, 58, 50 e 64% e aos 14 dias esta redução foi de 80, 85, 85, 84, 86 e 93% em comparação as plantas mantidas irrigadas, nas temperaturas de 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 e 50°C, respectivamente. O comportamento das taxas de transpiração foliar foi inversamente proporcional às taxas de fotossíntese líquida, mostrando incremento em função do aumento da temperatura foliar. O comportamento fisiológico de trocas gasosas de Sclerolobium paniculatum apresentou variações tanto em relação ao efeito da temperatura foliar, quanto da suspensão de irrigação

Protein supplementation does not increase nitric oxide plasmatic concentration in healthy men

Suplementos nutricionais, supostamente, capazes de potencializar a produção endógena de óxido nítrico (NO) têm experimentado crescente popularidade entre os indivíduos fisicamente ativos. Diante da carência de informações sobre o assunto, o objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar o efeito de um suplemento comercial à base de proteínas e aminoácidos sobre a produção endógena de NO. MÉTODOS: A amostra foi constituída de 12 homens sedentários, mas sem fatores de risco para doenças cardiovasculares. O protocolo de suplementação foi conduzido conforme o arranjo experimental duplo-cego cruzado. Os participantes receberam, aleatoriamente, placebo (PLA) ou suplemento proteico (SP), em dois momentos diferentes, separados por uma semana. Com o intuito de determinar a concentração plasmática de NO, amostras de sangue foram coletadas antes (24h e imediatamente antes) e depois (30 e 60 minutos) do consumo da substância PLA ou do SP. RESULTADOS: Não foi observada alteração na concentração plasmática de NO após a ingestão do SP em comparação com o PLA (pós-suplementação 30min - PLA: 19,3 ± 4,7µmol.L- 1 vs. SP: 18,9 ± 4,4µmol.L-1 e pós-suplementação 60min - PLA: 21,3 ± 6,5µmol.L-1 vs. SP: 20,3 ± 4,9µmol.L-1). Também não foi verificada alteração da pressão arterial. CONCLUSÃO: O suplemento nutricional à base de proteínas e aminoácidos, testado no presente estudo, não potencializou a produção endógena de NO.Nutritional supplements, theoretically able to increase endogenous nitric oxide (NO) production have experienced great popularity among physically active individuals. AIM: scientific evidence available regarding this issue is scarce. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a dietary supplement commercialized as a nitric oxide booster. MATERIALS AND METHODS: twelve sedentary men with no risk factors for cardiovascular diseases were supplemented with placebo or protein in two different occasions. The present study was conducted in a cross double-blind design. In order to assess plasmatic NO concentration, blood samples were obtained before (24hs and immediately before) and after (30 and 60 minutes) consumption of placebo (PLA) or protein supplement (SP). RESULTS: there was no difference in plasmatic nitric oxide concentration between both trails (Post-supplementation 30 min - PLA: 19.3±4.7 µmol.L-1 vs. SP: 18.9±4.4 µmol.L-1 and Post-supplementation 60 min - PLA: 21.3±6.5 µmol.L-1 vs. SP: 20.3±4.9 µmol.L-1). In addition, no difference was detected for arterial blood pressure. CONCLUSION: the dietary supplement analyzed in the present study failed to increase nitric oxide endogenous production

GAS EXCHANGE OF SEEDLINGS OF TAXI-BRANCO SUBMITTED TO LEAF TEMPERATURE VARIATION AND IRRIGATION SUSPENSION

O objetivo deste trabalho foi investigar a influ\ueancia da varia\ue7\ue3o de temperatura foliar associada \ue0 suspens\ue3o de irriga\ue7\ue3o sobre as trocas gasosas de plantas jovens de taxi-branco ( Sclerolobium paniculatum Vogel). O estudo foi realizado em casa de vegeta\ue7\ue3o na \ue1rea experimental da Embrapa Amaz\uf4nia Ocidental. As plantas cresceram em casa de vegeta\ue7\ue3o e depois de quatro meses de aclimatiza\ue7\ue3o foram submetidas a tr\ueas regimes h\ueddricos (mantidas irrigadas at\ue9 a capacidade de campo do solo, irriga\ue7\ue3o suspensa por oito e 14 dias). Foram avaliados os par\ue2metros fisiol\uf3gicos de trocas gasosas, taxa de assimila\ue7\ue3o l\uedquida de CO2 (A), transpira\ue7\ue3o foliar (E), condut\ue2ncia estom\ue1tica (gs) e efici\ueancia no uso da \ue1gua (EUA) os quais foram obtidos por meio do medidor port\ue1til de fotoss\uedntese (CI-340, CID, Inc.). Os resultados mostraram que houve redu\ue7\ue3o das taxas de assimila\ue7\ue3o l\uedquida de CO2 em fun\ue7\ue3o da eleva\ue7\ue3o da temperatura foliar e da suspens\ue3o da irriga\ue7\ue3o. Ap\uf3s oito dias de suspens\ue3o da irriga\ue7\ue3o houve redu\ue7\ue3o das taxas de assimila\ue7\ue3o l\uedquida de CO2 fotossint\ue9ticas em 62, 65, 75, 58, 50 e 64% e aos 14 dias esta redu\ue7\ue3o foi de 80, 85, 85, 84, 86 e 93% em compara\ue7\ue3o as plantas mantidas irrigadas, nas temperaturas de 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 e 50\ub0C, respectivamente. O comportamento das taxas de transpira\ue7\ue3o foliar foi inversamente proporcional \ue0s taxas de fotoss\uedntese l\uedquida, mostrando incremento em fun\ue7\ue3o do aumento da temperatura foliar. O comportamento fisiol\uf3gico de trocas gasosas de Sclerolobium paniculatum apresentou varia\ue7\uf5es tanto em rela\ue7\ue3o ao efeito da temperatura foliar, quanto da suspens\ue3o de irriga\ue7\ue3o.The study aimed to investigate the influence of leaf temperature variation associated with irrigation suspension on gas exchange of seedlings of Sclerolobium paniculatum Vogel. The study was carried out in a greenhouse at experimental area of Embrapa, Amaz\uf4nia Ocidental. Plants were grown in a greenhouse and, after four months were subjected to three treatments (irrigated maintained until the field capacity, irrigation suspended for eight and 14 days). We evaluated the physiological parameters of gas exchange, net assimilation rate of CO2 (A), leaf transpiration (E), stomatal conductance (gs) and water use efficiency (WUE) which were obtained through a photosynthesis portable meter (CI-340, CID, Inc). The results showed reduction of net assimilation rate of CO2 depending on the elevation of the leaf temperature and without irrigation. After eight days without irrigation, decreased rates of photosynthetic assimilation of CO2 in 62, 65, 75, 58, 50 and 64%, and after 14 days the reduction was 80, 85, 85, 84, 86 and 93% compared to plants irrigated maintained at temperatures of 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 and 50 \ub0C, respectively. The leaf transpiration was inversely proportional to rates of net photosynthetic assimilation of CO2, which has increased with an increased leaf temperature. The physiological behavior of gas exchange of Sclerolobium paniculatum showed variations both as regards to the effect of leaf temperature as the suspension of irrigation

Bacterioruberin from Haloarchaea plus dexamethasone in ultra-small macrophage-targeted nanoparticles as potential intestinal repairing agent

Oral administration of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory drugs have the potential to improve the current therapy of inflammatory bowel disease. Success of oral treatments, however, depends on the capacity of drugs to remain structurally stable along the gastrointestinal tract, and on the feasibility of accessing the target cells. Delivering anti-inflammatory and antioxidant drugs to macrophages using targeted nanoparticles, could make treatments more efficient. In this work structural features and in vitro activity of macrophage-targeted nanostructured archaeolipid carriers (NAC) containing the high antioxidant dipolar C50 carotenoid bacterioruberin (BR) plus dexamethasone (Dex): NAC-Dex, are described. Ultra-small (66 nm), -32 mV potential, 1200 g Dex /ml NAC-Dex, consisted of a compritol and BR core, covered by a shell of sn 2,3 ether linked archaeolipids and Tween 80 (2: 2: 1.2: 3 % w/w) were obtained. NAC-Dex were extensively captured by macrophages and Caco-2 cells and displayed high anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities on a gut inflammation model made of Caco-2 cells and lipopolysaccharide stimulated THP-1 derived macrophages reducing 65 % and 55 % TNF- and IL-8 release, respectively and 60 % reactive oxygen species production. NAC-Dex also reversed the morphological changes induced by inflammation and increased the transepithelial electrical resistance, partly reconstituting the barrier function. Activity of BR and Dex in NAC-Dex was partially protected after simulated gastrointestinal digestion, improving the chances of BR-Dex joint activity. Results suggest that oral NAC-Dex deserve further exploration as intestinal barrier repairing agent.Fil: Higa, Leticia Herminia. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes. Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología. Laboratorio de Diseño de Estrategias de Targeting de Drogas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Schilrreff, Priscila. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes. Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología. Laboratorio de Diseño de Estrategias de Targeting de Drogas; ArgentinaFil: Briski, Andrés Martín. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes. Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología. Laboratorio de Diseño de Estrategias de Targeting de Drogas; ArgentinaFil: Jerez, Horacio Emanuel. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes. Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología. Laboratorio de Diseño de Estrategias de Targeting de Drogas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: de Farias, Marcelo Alexandre. Brazilian Nanotechnology National Laboratory; BrasilFil: Villares Portugal, Rodrigo. Brazilian Nanotechnology National Laboratory; BrasilFil: Romero, Eder Lilia. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes. Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología. Laboratorio de Diseño de Estrategias de Targeting de Drogas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Morilla, María José. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes. Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología. Laboratorio de Diseño de Estrategias de Targeting de Drogas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Planeamiento estratégico para la industria peruana del Café

Perú cuenta con gran potencial para poder convertirse en uno de los mayores productores de café a nivel mundial. Debido a que Perú cuenta con factores climáticos y geográficos que propician las condiciones para poder tener café de alta calidad y alto rendimiento. Además, Perú cuenta con un gran valor de marca a nivel mundial por la calidad de sus productos orgánicos. En el presente documento se elabora el plan estratégico del café, para lo cual se desarrolló un análisis de los principales factores tanto el interno y el externo que influyen de forma determinante en el sector cafetalero, debido a este análisis se encontró las estrategias que permitirán al Perú posicionarse dentro de los mayores productores a nivel mundial y ser uno de los sectores claves a nivel nacional. Bajo las condiciones naturales, Perú debió de convertirse en uno de los países con mayor producción de café. Sin embargo, afronta una serie de factores que impidieron poder impulsar el desarrollo del sector, como la informalidad, la desorganización y carencia de tecnificación, entre otros que relegan el desarrollo. Estas estrategias buscan impulsar la empleabilidad, la productividad por hectárea y conseguir posicionar al Perú para el 2028 en uno de los seis mayores productores de café de alta calidad en el mundo. Trayendo consigo beneficios no solo para los productores, sino también a las familias y para para todo el país.Peru has great potential to become one of the largest producers of coffee worldwide. Because they have climatic and geographical factors that promote the conditions to be able to have high quality and high yield coffee. In addition, Peru has a great brand value worldwide for the quality of its organic products. In this document the coffee strategic plan is elaborated as an analysis of the main internal and external factors that influence in a decisive way in the coffee sector was developed. Due to this analysis we found the strategies that allow Peru to position itself among the largest producers worldwide and be one of the key industries nationwide. Under Peru's natural conditions, it must have become one of the countries with the highest coffee production. However, it faces a series of factors that prevented it from being able to boost the development of the sector such as informality, disorganization and lack of technology among others that relegate development. These strategies seek to boost employability, productivity per hectare and get positioned to Peru by 2028 in one of the six largest producers of high quality coffee in the world. Bringing benefits not only for producers, but also for families and for all of Peru.Tesi