Spontaneous cytokine production in children according to biological characteristics and environmental exposures.

BACKGROUND: Environmental factors are likely to have profound effects on the development of host immune responses, with serious implications for infectious diseases and inflammatory disorders such as asthma. OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to investigate the effects of environmental exposures on the cytokine profile of children. METHODS: The study involved measurement of T helper (Th) 1 (interferon-gamma), 2 [interleukin (IL)-5 and IL-13], and the regulatory cytokine IL-10 in unstimulated peripheral blood leukocytes from 1,376 children 4-11 years of age living in a poor urban area of the tropics. We also assessed the impact of environmental exposures in addition to biological characteristics recorded at the time of blood collection and earlier in childhood (0-3 years before blood collection). RESULTS: The proportion of children producing IL-10 was greater among those without access to drinking water [p < 0.05, chi-square test, odds ratio (OR) = 1.67]. The proportion of children producing IL-5 and IL-10 (OR = 10.76) was significantly greater in households that had never had a sewage system (p < 0.05, trend test). CONCLUSIONS: These data provide evidence for the profound effects of environmental exposures in early life as well as immune homeostasis in later childhood. Decreased hygiene (lack of access to clean drinking water and sanitation) in the first 3 years of life is associated with higher spontaneous IL-10 production up to 8 years later in life

DORMANCY OF SEEDS AND PLANTS PRODUCTION OF Dimorphandra mollis Benth.

Dimorphandra mollis Benth. \ue9 uma esp\ue9cie florestal nativa, encontrada nos biomas Cerrado e Caatinga, de grande import\ue2ncia em fun\ue7\ue3o de sua utilidade econ\uf4mica e ecol\uf3gica, o que justifica a exist\ueancia de programas de produ\ue7\ue3o de mudas. Este trabalho teve por objetivo estudar metodologias eficientes para supera\ue7\ue3o da dorm\ueancia das sementes e avaliar, em viveiro florestal, os efeitos de diferentes substratos e da fertiliza\ue7\ue3o sobre o crescimento inicial das mudas. Foram realizados os seguintes tratamentos para supera\ue7\ue3o de dorm\ueancia: T1 - testemunha (sementes sem escarifica\ue7\ue3o); T2 - escarifica\ue7\ue3o manual com lixa no50; T3 - imers\ue3o em \ue1gua a 80\ub0C e (T4) a 100\ubaC at\ue9 atingir a temperatura ambiente; T5 - fervura em \ue1gua a 100\ubaC durante 10, (T6) 30 e (T7) 60 segundos; T8 - escarifica\ue7\ue3o qu\uedmica com \ue1cido sulf\ufarico durante 20, (T9) 30 e (T10) 40 minutos. Para a produ\ue7\ue3o de mudas, o delineamento experimental adotado foi o inteiramente casualizado, em arranjo fatorial 4 x 2 (quatro substratos: Tropstrato\uae puro, e os demais: Tropstrato\uae, p\uf3 de coco e vermiculita com composto org\ue2nico; sem e com fertiliza\ue7\ue3o). Os melhores resultados para a supera\ue7\ue3o da dorm\ueancia s\ue3o obtidos com a escarifica\ue7\ue3o manual com lixa para metal n\uba50 ou fervura em \ue1gua durante 10 segundos. O p\uf3 de coco e a vermiculita, combinados com composto org\ue2nico, s\ue3o bons substratos para produ\ue7\ue3o de mudas de Dimorphandra mollis.Dimorphandra mollis Benth. is an important native forest species coming from Cerrado and Caatinga due to its economical and ecological use, what justifies the existence of programs of seedling production. This paper aimed to study the efficient methodology to overcome dormancy in seeds and to evaluate, in natural nursery, the effects of distinct substrates and the fertilization on the initial growth of plants. The following treatments applied: T1 - control (seeds whithout scarification); T2 \u2013 manual scarification with sandpaper number 50; T3 - immersion in water at 80 and (T4) at 100\ubaC; T5 - boil in water at 100\ubaC for 10, (T6) 30 and (T7) 60 seconds; T8 - chemical scarification with sulfuric acid for 20, (T9) 30 and (T10) 40 minutes. For the seedling production, the experiment was arranged in 4 x 2 factorial, complete randomized design (4 substrates: Tropstrato\uae pure, and the others: Tropstrato\uae, coconut fiber and vermiculite with organic compost; without and with fertilization). The best results for overcoming dormancy are obtained with the manual scarification with sandpaper n\uba50 or boil in water at 100\ubaC for 10 seconds. The coconut fiber and the vermiculite with organic compost are good substrates for the seedling production of Dimorphandra mollis

MORPHOLOGY OF THE FRUIT, SEEDS AND SEEDLINGS OF Eschweilera ovata (Cambess.) Miers

O estudo morfol\uf3gico de sementes e pl\ue2ntulas, com o objetivo de obter um maior conhecimento de suas estruturas, al\ue9m de fornecer informa\ue7\uf5es sobre a germina\ue7\ue3o, viabilidade, armazenamento e m\ue9todos de semeadura, auxilia a an\ue1lise do ciclo vegetativo das esp\ue9cies, fornecendo informa\ue7\uf5es relativas \ue0 identifica\ue7\ue3o. O principal objetivo deste trabalho foi desenvolver metodologia de identifica\ue7\ue3o morfol\uf3gica de frutos, sementes e pl\ue2ntulas de imbiriba ( Eschweilera ovata (Cambess.) Miers), por meio de descri\ue7\uf5es e ilustra\ue7\uf5es das caracter\uedsticas morfol\uf3gicas externas e internas. Os frutos e as sementes foram colhidos no Parque Estadual de Dois Irm\ue3os, no munic\uedpio de Recife-PE e conduzidos em sacos de polietileno para o Laborat\uf3rio de Sementes do Departamento de Agronomia da Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco. Foi realizada caracteriza\ue7\ue3o morfol\uf3gica dos frutos, sementes e pl\ue2ntulas, sendo tomadas as medidas de comprimento e largura. A descri\ue7\ue3o foi feita com aux\uedlio do microsc\uf3pio estereosc\uf3pico binocular. As sementes foram desinfestadas com solu\ue7\ue3o de hipoclorito de s\uf3dio a 5% durante cinco minutos e semeadas em substrato sobre vermiculita, esterilizado e umedecido com solu\ue7\ue3o de nistatina a 0,2%. Constatou-se que os frutos constituem-se em um pix\ueddio, fruto seco, em forma de sino. As sementes de imbiriba apresentam arilo funicular lateral e endosperma abundante, possuem germina\ue7\ue3o hip\uf3gea, sendo a pl\ue2ntula classificada como criptocotiledonar, ocorrendo poliembrionia em torno de 4%.The study of seeds and seedlings morphology the purpose to obtain a larger knowledge their structures, besides supplying information about the germination, viability, storage and sowing methods, it aid the analysis of the vegetative cycle of the species supplying relative information to the identification. The main objective of this work was to develop methodology of identification of fruits, seeds and seedlings of ( Eschweilera ovata (Cambess.) Miers) through descriptions and illustrations of the external and internal morphological characteristics. The fruits and the seeds were harvested in the State Park of Dois Irm\ue3os, in the municipal district of Recife-PE, Brasil, and led in sacks of polyethylene to the Laboratory of Seeds of the Department of Agronomy of the Rural Federal University of Pernambuco. The morphological characterization of the fruits, seeds and seedlings were accomplished, being taken measures of length and width. The description was made with aid of the estereoscopic binocular microscope. The seeds were desinfected with solution of sodium hypochlorite to 5% for five minutes and sowed into vermiculite sterilized and moisture with nistatine solution to 0,2%. It was found that the fruits are in a pix\ueddio, dried fruit, bell-shaped. The seeds have imbiriba aryl funicular side and abundant endosperm, has hypogeal germination, the seedlings being classified as cryptocotyledonary, polyembryony occurring around 4%

PROCESSO GERMINATIVO E VIGOR DE SEMENTES DE Cedrela odorata L. SOB ESTRESSE SALINO

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of salt stress on the viability and the vigor of Cedrela odorata L. seeds. The experiment was conducted at conditions of laboratory (temperature medium from 28 \ub0C and humidity medium of 84 %), under continuous light where four replicates of 25 seeds were put to germinate on blotting paper and moistened with solutions of NaCl, KCl and CaCl2 at different concentrations (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 mM). The parameters analysed were: germination, first germination count, germination speed index, primary root and hypocotyl length and dry weight matter of the seedling. The adverse effects of salt stress on germination and seedling vigor of 'cedro' are indeed evident from the concentration of 25 mM NaCl, KCl and CaCl2, indicating that their use in saline environments may be limited. The 'cedro' seeds are more sensitive to CaCl2 and KCl compared to NaCl, the effect of salinity was more aggressive on the germination and vigor than in seedling vigor.O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito do estresse salino na viabilidade e vigor de sementes de Cedrela odorata L. O experimento foi conduzido em ambiente de laborat\uf3rio (temperatura m\ue9dia de 28 \ub0C e UR m\ue9dia 84 %), sob regime de luz cont\uednua, onde quatro repeti\ue7\uf5es de 25 sementes foram colocadas para germinar em papel mata-borr\ue3o e umedecidos com solu\ue7\uf5es de NaCl, KCl e CaCl2 em diferentes concentra\ue7\uf5es (0, 25, 50, 75 e 100 mM). Os par\ue2metros avaliados foram: porcentagem de germina\ue7\ue3o, primeira contagem de germina\ue7\ue3o, \uedndice de velocidade de germina\ue7\ue3o, comprimento da raiz prim\ue1ria e do hipoc\uf3tilo e massa seca da pl\ue2ntula. Os efeitos adversos do estresse salino sob a germina\ue7\ue3o e o vigor de pl\ue2ntulas de cedro s\ue3o efetivamente evidentes a partir da concentra\ue7\ue3o de 25 mM de NaCl, KCl e CaCl2, o que indica que sua utiliza\ue7\ue3o em ambientes salinos pode ser limitada. As sementes de cedro s\ue3o mais sens\uedveis ao CaCl2 e KCl em rela\ue7\ue3o ao NaCl, o efeito da salinidade foi mais agressivo sobre a germina\ue7\ue3o e vigor das sementes do que no vigor das pl\ue2ntulas

PROCESSO GERMINATIVO E VIGOR DE SEMENTES DE Cedrela odorata L. SOB ESTRESSE SALINO

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of salt stress on the viability and the vigor of Cedrela odorata L. seeds. The experiment was conducted at conditions of laboratory (temperature medium from 28 \ub0C and humidity medium of 84 %), under continuous light where four replicates of 25 seeds were put to germinate on blotting paper and moistened with solutions of NaCl, KCl and CaCl2 at different concentrations (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 mM). The parameters analysed were: germination, first germination count, germination speed index, primary root and hypocotyl length and dry weight matter of the seedling. The adverse effects of salt stress on germination and seedling vigor of 'cedro' are indeed evident from the concentration of 25 mM NaCl, KCl and CaCl2, indicating that their use in saline environments may be limited. The 'cedro' seeds are more sensitive to CaCl2 and KCl compared to NaCl, the effect of salinity was more aggressive on the germination and vigor than in seedling vigor.O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito do estresse salino na viabilidade e vigor de sementes de Cedrela odorata L. O experimento foi conduzido em ambiente de laborat\uf3rio (temperatura m\ue9dia de 28 \ub0C e UR m\ue9dia 84 %), sob regime de luz cont\uednua, onde quatro repeti\ue7\uf5es de 25 sementes foram colocadas para germinar em papel mata-borr\ue3o e umedecidos com solu\ue7\uf5es de NaCl, KCl e CaCl2 em diferentes concentra\ue7\uf5es (0, 25, 50, 75 e 100 mM). Os par\ue2metros avaliados foram: porcentagem de germina\ue7\ue3o, primeira contagem de germina\ue7\ue3o, \uedndice de velocidade de germina\ue7\ue3o, comprimento da raiz prim\ue1ria e do hipoc\uf3tilo e massa seca da pl\ue2ntula. Os efeitos adversos do estresse salino sob a germina\ue7\ue3o e o vigor de pl\ue2ntulas de cedro s\ue3o efetivamente evidentes a partir da concentra\ue7\ue3o de 25 mM de NaCl, KCl e CaCl2, o que indica que sua utiliza\ue7\ue3o em ambientes salinos pode ser limitada. As sementes de cedro s\ue3o mais sens\uedveis ao CaCl2 e KCl em rela\ue7\ue3o ao NaCl, o efeito da salinidade foi mais agressivo sobre a germina\ue7\ue3o e vigor das sementes do que no vigor das pl\ue2ntulas

Vigor Of Apeiba tibourbou Aubl. Seeds Under Different Storage And Packaging Conditions1

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o vigor das sementes de pau-de-jangada (Apeiba tibourbou) quando estas foram submetidas a diferentes condi\ue7\uf5es de armazenamento e embalagens durante 225 dias. Ap\uf3s o beneficiamento, as sementes de pau-de-jangada foram acondicionadas nas seguintes embalagens: vidro transparente, sacos de papel Kraft e sacos de polietileno transparente e armazenadas nos ambientes: natural de laborat\uf3rio (24,8\ub0C a 28\ub0C; UR 68,9 a 82,5%), freezer (-20\ub0C; UR 90%) e c\ue2mara (18,5 \ub1 1\ub0C; UR 71 \ub1 3%). Para avalia\ue7\ue3o da qualidade inicial das sementes e a cada 45 dias, totalizando 225 dias de armazenamento, foi determinado o teor de \ue1gua das sementes e realizados testes de vigor (porcentagem e velocidade de emerg\ueancia, comprimento e massa seca das pl\ue2ntulas). Dentre as condi\ue7\uf5es de armazenamento estudadas, a mais adequada para conserva\ue7\ue3o das sementes de pau-de-jangada por 180 dias, com menor perda de vigor, foi o ambiente natural de laborat\uf3rio, quando se utilizou a embalagem saco de polietileno.This study had the objective of evaluating the vigor of Apeiba tibourbou seeds submitted to different storage and packaging conditions, during 225 days. After processing, the Apeiba tibourbou seeds were conditioned in the following packages: transparent glass containers, Kraft paper bags and transparent polyethylene bags and stored under the following conditions: room temperature in a laboratory (24.8\ub0C to 28\ub0C; UR 68.9 to 82.5%), in a freezer (-20\ub0C; UR 90%) and in a chamber (18.5 \ub1 1\ub0C; UR 71 \ub1 3%). At the beginning and every 45 days, during 225 days of storage, the seed moisture content was determined and a vigor test was carried out (percentage and index of speed of emergence, length (cm) and dry weight matter (mg) of seedling). Among the storage conditions studied, the most suitable for conservation of Apeiba tibourbou seeds for 180 days, with less loss of vigor was the natural environment of the laboratory, when using the polyethylene bag packaging

Prevalência e fatores de risco de transtorno do jogo pela Internet

Objetivos: Estimar a prevalência de transtorno do jogo pela Internet (IGD) e fatores de risco associados em uma amostra de estudantes do ensino médio e superior de uma instituição pública federal de ensino superior (Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia) no sul do Brasil. Métodos: O estudo incluiu um questionário sociodemográfico, o Inventário de Depressão de Beck (BDI), Self-Report Questionnaire (SRQ-20), Índice de Qualidade do Sono de Pittsburgh (PSQI-BR), Mini-Social Phobia Inventory (Mini-SPIN), e a Escala de Adição a Jogos (GAS). Finalmente, o IGD foi mensurado com a versão brasileira da Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short-Form (IGDS9-SF), que foi validada psicometricamente nesta população. Resultados: No geral, 38,2% (n=212) da amostra apresentou sintomas de IGD, com 18,2% (n=101) sendo classificados como jogadores de risco. A análise de regressão constatou que o IGD estava associado ao sexo masculino, sintomas depressivos graves, má qualidade do sono, aumento do tempo gasto em jogos e tempo livre total gasto em jogos (p < 0,001). Conclusões: A prevalência de IGD nesta amostra foi relativamente alta, e os fatores de risco associados encontrados foram similares aos relatados anteriormente na literatura. Estudos futuros investigando a epidemiologia da IGD em amostras brasileiras são necessários para entender melhor as necessidades de tratamento e informar as medidas preventivas nesta população

METHODS FOR OVERCOMING DORMANCY OF QUIXABEIRA SEEDS ( Sideroxylon obtusifolium (Roem.&amp; Schult.) T.D.Penn.)

Devido \ue0 aus\ueancia de informa\ue7\uf5es sobre a metodologia para avalia\ue7\ue3o da qualidade fisiol\uf3gica de sementes das esp\ue9cies arb\uf3reas medicinais, o presente trabalho teve por objetivo determinar o m\ue9todo mais eficiente para supera\ue7\ue3o da dorm\ueancia tegumentar em sementes de Sideroxylon obtusifolium (Roem. &amp; Schult.) T.D.Penn.. Al\ue9m das sementes intactas, sementes que n\ue3o foram submetidas a nenhum tratamento, tamb\ue9m foram utilizados os seguintes tratamentos pr\ue9-germinativos: escarifica\ue7\ue3o qu\uedmica - as sementes foram imersas em \ue1cido sulf\ufarico absoluto por 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 e 60 minutos; escarifica\ue7\ue3o mec\ue2nica - as sementes foram friccionadas manualmente em lixa n\ub0 50, do lado oposto \ue0 micr\uf3pila, sem ou com embebi\ue7\ue3o por 24 ou 48 horas; imers\ue3o em \ue1gua a 100\ub0C por 15 ou 30 segundos; imers\ue3o em \ue1gua a 80\ub0C at\ue9 o resfriamento. Os efeitos foram avaliados atrav\ue9s de testes de germina\ue7\ue3o e vigor. Constatou-se que houve diferen\ue7a significativa entre os tratamentos para todos os par\ue2metros avaliados (porcentagem e velocidade de germina\ue7\ue3o, comprimento e massa seca de parte a\ue9rea e raiz prim\ue1ria), e a causa mais evidente da dorm\ueancia \ue9 a impermeabilidade do tegumento, a qual foi superada com maior efici\ueancia pelo m\ue9todo de imers\ue3o em \ue1cido sulf\ufarico por 30 minutos.Due to absence of information about the methodology for the evaluation of the physiological quality of seeds of medicinal arboreal species seeds, the aim of the present work was to determine the most efficient method to overcome the seed coat dormancy in seeds of Sideroxylon obtusifolium (Roem.&amp; Schult.) T.D.Penn.. Besides the intact seeds, the ones which had not been submitted to any treatment, the following pre-germinating methods were used: chemical scarification: the seeds were immersed in pure sulfuric acid for 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 minutes at the environment temperature (27\ub0C \ub1 1\ub0C); mechanical scarification: the seeds were rubbed manually in sandpaper number 50, in the opposite side of micropyle, without and with soaking for 24 or 48 hours; thermal scarification: immersion in water at 100\ub0C for 15 or 30 seconds; immersion in water to 80\ub0C until cooling. The effects of treatments were evaluated through tests of germination and vigor. There were significant differences among the treatments for all the evaluated parameters (percentage and speed of germination, length and dry weight of shoot and root), and the most evident cause of dormancy was the coat impermeability, which efficiency was overcame by the immersion of seeds in pure sulfuric acid for 30 minutes

Prevalence and risk factors for internet gaming disorder

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of internet gaming disorder (IGD) and associated risk factors in a sample of secondary and postsecondary students from a public federal institution of higher education (Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia) in Southern Brazil. Methods: The study included a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Self-Report Questionnaire (SRQ-20), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI-BR), the Mini-Social Phobia Inventory (Mini-SPIN), and the Game Addiction Scale (GAS). Finally, IGD was measured with the Brazilian version of the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short-Form (IGDS9-SF), which has been psychometrically validated in this population. Results: Overall, 38.2% (n=212) of the sample exhibited IGD symptoms, with 18.2% (n=101) being classed as at-risk gamers. Regression analysis found IGD to be associated with male gender, severe depressive symptoms, poor sleep quality, increased time spent gaming, and total free time spent gaming (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The prevalence of IGD in this sample was relatively high, and associated risk factors found were similar to those previously reported in the literature. Further studies investigating the epidemiology of IGD in Brazilian samples are warranted to better understand treatment needs and inform preventive measures in this population

Dissociation between skin test reactivity and anti-aeroallergen IgE: Determinants among urban Brazilian children.

BACKGROUND: The dissociation between specific IgE and skin prick test reactivity to aeroallergens, a common finding in populations living in low and middle-income countries, has important implications for the diagnosis and treatment of allergic diseases. Few studies have investigated the determinants of this dissociation. In the present study, we explored potential factors explaining this dissociation in children living in an urban area of Northeast Brazil, focusing in particular on factors associated with poor hygiene. METHODS: Of 1445 children from low income communities, investigated for risk factors of allergies, we studied 481 with specific IgE antibodies to any of Blomia tropicalis, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Periplaneta americana and Blatella germanica allergens. Data on demographic, environmental and social exposures were collected by questionnaire; serum IgG and stool examinations were done to detect current or past infections with viral, bacterial, protozoan and intestinal helminth pathogens. We measured atopy by skin prick testing (SPT) and specific IgE (sIgE) to aerollergens in serum (by ImmunoCAP). SIgE reactivity to B. tropicalis extract depleted of carbohydrates was measured by an in-house ELISA. Total IgE was measured by in house capture ELISA. SNPs were typed using Illumina Omni 2.5. RESULTS: Negative skin prick tests in the presence of specific IgE antibodies were frequent. Factors independently associated with a reduced frequency of positive skin prick tests were large number of siblings, the presence of IgG to herpes simplex virus, Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura infections, living in neighborhoods with infrequent garbage collection, presence of rodents and cats in the household and sIgE reactivity to glycosylated B. tropicalis allergens. Also, SNP on IGHE (rs61737468) was negatively associated with SPT reactivity. CONCLUSIONS: A variety of factors were found to be associated with decreased frequency of SPT such as unhygienic living conditions, infections, total IgE, IgE response to glycosylated allergens and genetic polymorphisms, indicating that multiple mechanisms may be involved. Our data, showing that exposures to an unhygienic environment and childhood infections modulate immediate allergen skin test reactivity, provide support for the "hygiene hypothesis"