Sublingual immunotherapy in the treatment of allergic asthma: a systematic review with meta-analysis

Introduction: The guidelines for the management of allergic respiratory diseases oriented towards control from medical treatment combined with measures of environmental hygiene. Immunotherapy is one of several types of treatment, applied in combination with prophylactic drugs and environmental care. The aim of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) for house dust mites (HDM) in people with allergic asthma.Methods: The study is based on a systematic review with meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials, associating sublingual immunotherapy with the treatment of allergic patients with HDM.Results: The searches were applied in PubMed, ScienceDirect and Scielo databases. Initially, 98 articles were recovered, of which only nine were eligible. Of these, eight (88.9%) were conducted in Europe and only one (11.1%) in Asia. Comparing the outcomes expiratory volume in the first minute (FEV1) and sensitivity to allergens (HDM) between SLIT and placebo groups before and after intervention, no differences were observed between the groups.Conclusions: SLIT is not evidenced significantly by meta-analysis for the treatment of allergic asthma.Keywords: Mites; asthma; rhinitis; respiratory diseas

Relação entre níveis de atividade física, índices antropométricos e função pulmonar de escolares

Avaliar e correlacionar os níveis de atividade física com a função pulmonar de crianças com e sem diagnóstico de asma. Métodos: Estudo realizado em duas fases, em escolares de oito a 16 anos de Porto Alegre (RS). Na fase I (transversal), classificaram-se como asmáticos os escolares com diagnóstico positivo de um médico alguma vez na vida, com crises e tratamento para a doença nos últimos 12 meses. Na fase II (caso controle), foram avaliados: antropometria, níveis de atividade física e tempo gasto em frente às telas e função pulmonar (espirometria). Os dados são apresentados por média e desvio padrão ou mediana e intervalo interquartil e por valores absolutos e relativos, sendo aplicados os testes χ2 , t de Student ou de Mann-Whitney e correlação de Spearman, com valor de significância p<0,05. Resultados: Participaram do estudo 605 escolares, 290 crianças com diagnóstico clínico de asma e 315 classificadas como controle. Do total, 280 (47,3%) crianças eram do sexo masculino, com média de idade de 11,0±2,3 anos. Os valores espirométricos demonstraram diferenças nas classificações dos níveis de obstrução das vias aéreas entre grupos asma e controle (p=0,005), além da resposta ao uso de broncodilatador, para o volume expiratório forçado no primeiro segundo (VEF1 )/capacidade vital forçada (CVF) (p=0,023). Não houve correlação entre a prática de atividades físicas e valores antropométricos, tampouco entre a função pulmonar e o pré e pós-uso de broncodilatador. Conclusões: O estudo demonstrou não existir relação entre valores antropométricos e níveis de atividade física com a função pulmonar de crianças asmáticas em idade escolar.To evaluate and to correlate levels of physical activity with the pulmonary function of children with and without a diagnosis of asthma. Methods: This study was conducted in two phases with schoolchildren aged between eight and 16 years old in Porto Alegre/RS. In the first phase (cross sectional), the sample was classified as asthmatic if a physician had ever diagnosed them with asthma and if they reported symptoms and treatment for the disease in the past 12 months. In the second phase (control-case), the following were measured: anthropometry, physical activity levels, time spent in front of screens, and lung function (spirometry). Data are presented in mean and standard deviation or median and interquartile interval and by absolute and relative values. Chi-square, Student’s t-test or Mann-Whitney test and Spearman correlation were applied, with p<0.05 being significant. Results: 605 students participated in the study, 290 children with a clinical diagnosis of asthma and 315 classified as a control. 280 (47.3%) were male children, with an average age of 11.0±2.3 years old. The spirometric values showed differences in the classifications of airway obstruction levels between the asthma and control groups (p=0.005), as well as in the response to bronchodilator use for FEV1/FVC (p=0.023). In the correlation assessment, there was no correlation between physical activity with anthropometric values, nor with pulmonary function, preand post-bronchodilator. Conclusions: The study demonstrates that there is no relationship between either anthropometric values or physical activity levels with pulmonary function of asthmatic children

Monitoring dynamics in bacterial competition by Imaging Mass Spectrometry

Microbial competition is a mechanism that occurs when two or more microbial species compete for ecological niches to support their survival and growth (Hibbing et al. 2010). Different factors can contribute to the outcome of microbial competition, such as molecules exchanged between the competing organisms for the regulation of cell densities and the initial spatial configuration of the microbe–microbe interaction. Specifically, production of compounds that kill or limit the growth of competing strains or species can promote niche monopolization (Gonzalez et al. 2011). The released compounds include secondary metabolite antibiotics, bacterial peptides or low-molecular-mass organic compounds. In that sense, it is very important to develop tools that could capture metabolic interactions between two or more bacterial populations. Imaging Mass Spectrometry (IMS) enables the visualization of both spatial and temporal production of a huge number of metabolites from a single bacterial species and can observe the effects of multiple microbial signals in an interspecies interaction without using tags or labels (Yang et al. 2009). This technique has the potential to be used for identification of novel metabolites and peptides that were previously undetected by other analytical methods. In this work, a combination of IMS and LC-MS/MS was used to study the competition between Listeria monocytogenes (LM) and Lactococcus lactis (LAC) to investigate the metabolic profile of each bacterium in the interacting microbial colonies. IMS analysis revealed several interesting compounds during interaction of microbial colonies. At least six compounds are uniquely expressed during the interaction between LM and LAC. These results could be useful to setup new molecular strategies in the control of bacterial species for a better food safety

Usefulness of the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire in assessing the quality of life of parents of children with asthma

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the quality of life (QOL) of parents of children with asthma and to analyze the internal consistency of the generic QOL tool World Health Organization Quality of Life, abbreviated version (WHOQOL-BREF).MethodsWe evaluated the QOL of parents of asthmatic and healthy children aged between 8 and 16, using the generic WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire. We also evaluated the internal consistency using Cronbach's alpha (αC), in order to determine whether the tool had good validity for the target audience.ResultsThe study included 162 individuals with a mean age of 43.8±13.6 years, of which 104 were female (64.2%) and 128 were married (79.0%). When assessing the QOL, the group of parents of healthy children had higher scores than the group of parents of asthmatic children in the four areas evaluated by the questionnaire (Physical, Psychological Health, Social Relationships and Environment), indicating a better quality of life. Regarding the internal consistency of the WHOQOL-BREF, values of αC were 0.86 points for the group of parents of asthmatic children, and 0.88 for the group of parents of healthy children.ConclusionsParents of children with asthma have impaired quality of life due to their children's disease. Furthermore, the WHOQOL-BREF, even as a generic tool, showed to be practical and efficient to evaluate the quality of life of parents of asthmatic children

Food Safety: Secretome of Lactococcus lactis and Listeria monocytogenes in competition.

Listeria monocytogenes (LM) is a foodborne pathogen responsible of listeriosis. In the spreading of this pathology, milk and dairy products are key reservoir for this pathogen1. Food processing represents one of the major steps that could be linked to LM growth. Inhibition of LM growth through competition of Lactococcus lactis (LAC) could represent a solution to this problem. Exoproteome of LM and two different strains of Lactic Acid Bacteria in co-culture have been studied in order to highlight mechanisms of bacterial competition useful to improve food safety. Two different strains of LAC and one strain of LM were cultivated in appropriate medium cultures (BHI), also in competition. Filtrated cultures (SECRETOME) were lyophilized and resuspended for proteomics analysis. Shotgun analysis on each secretome was performed on nano UPLC-MS system. Obtained data reveal, during competition, the higher production by LM of moonlighting protein Enolase and Glucose 6 Phosphate isomerase, of Septation ring formation regulator EzrA, involved into cell replication and the lower secretion of Endopeptidase P60. In parallel, L. lactis produced higher amounts of Secreted 45 kDa protein and switched from lantibiotic Nisin A production to Nisin Z production. In competition with LM, LAC strain investigated produce higher amounts of Secreted 45 kDa protein with peptidoglycan lytic activity and the selective secretion of Nisin Z probably to improve lantibiotic solubility in less acidic environment. Next step will be validation of obtained results in dairy products. These results are of interesting to design new strategies of fighting LM as contaminant in food from animal origin.Work supported by Ministry of Health-CCM “Milano EXPO 2015 Project: Garantire la sicurezza alimentare- Valorizzare le produzioni

Avaliação da funcionalidade de indivíduos de uma mesma família com doença de Kennedy = Functionality evaluation of subjects of the same family with Kennedy's Disease

OBJETIVOS: Avaliar a funcionalidade de indivíduos de uma mesma família que apresentam a Doença de Kennedy e compará-la com o resultado obtido após um ano e meio, para verificar a evolução da doença. MÉTODOS: Série de casos, em que foram avaliados, em dois momentos separados por um ano e meio, seis indivíduos de uma mesma família com Doença de Kennedy. O instrumento de aferição utilizado foi o Core Set da Classificação Internacional de Funcionalidade, Incapacidade e Saúde para doenças neuromusculares. Esse questionário estruturado busca informações sobre domínios da saúde, situações da funcionalidade e suas restrições. Os dados foram analisados no SPSS versão 20. 0, com análise descritiva. RESULTADOS: Após um ano e meio, houve piora nos componentes função do corpo, com consequente declínio da função, demonstrado no componente atividade e participação. Apenas um domínio do componente "função corporal" apresentou melhora na segunda avaliação. Durante o período avaliado, a maioria dos fatores ambientais facilitadores (barras ou corrimão em escadas, barras internas nas residências, rampas, plano de saúde, dispositivos auxiliares de marcha, automóvel, telefone e portão eletrônico) mantiveram-se presentes, mas aumentou a magnitude de deficiência de alguns produtos e tecnologias de apoio (escadas e banheiro sem barras), o que pode ter prejudicado a funcionalidade desses indivíduos. CONCLUSÕES: A funcionalidade mostrou-se alterada em indivíduos com Doença de Kennedy, e a evolução da doença acentuou a deficiência nos componentes da Classificação Internacional de Funcionalidade após um ano e meio. Houve falta de alguns produtos e tecnologias de apoio para uso pessoal na vida diári

Rapid liquid AP-MALDI MS profiling of lipids and proteins from goat and sheep milk for speciation and colostrum analysis

Rapid profiling of the biomolecular components of milk can be useful for food quality assessment and for food fraud detection. Differences in commercial value and availability of milk from specific species are often the reasons for the illicit and fraudulent sale of milk whose species origin is wrongly declared. In this study, a fast, MS-based speciation method is presented to distinguish sheep from goat milk and sheep colostrum at different phases. Using liquid atmospheric pressure (AP)-matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation (MALDI) MS, it was possible to classify samples of goat and sheep milk with 100% accuracy in one minute of data acquisition per sample. Moreover, an accuracy of 98% was achieved in classifying pure sheep milk samples and sheep milk samples containing 10% goat milk. Evaluating colostrum quality and postnatal stages represents another possible application of this technology. Classification of sheep colostrum samples that were collected within 6 hours after parturition and 48 hours later was achieved with an accuracy of 84.4%. Our data show that substantial changes in the lipid profile can account for the accurate classification of colostrum collected at the early and late time points. This method applied to the analysis of protein orthologs of different species can, as in this case, allow unequivocal speciation analysis

Specific instruments to evaluate their knowledge of asthma: a systematic review

Introduction: The evaluation of the level of asthma knowledge is one of the major outcomes for studies related to educational programs on asthma. Hence, identifying the particular instrument suitable for this outcome is essential to the success of studies in this field. Objective: To identify specific instruments to assess knowledge of asthma, analyzing the main characteristics and quality criteria for psychometric validation. Methods: A systematic review was performed to identify outcome measures available to assess knowledge of asthma in children, adolescents, guardians and caregivers. We applied the logic of search in Medline, Lilacs, Scopus, DirectScience, PsycINFO, Cochrane and Tripdatabase. Articles were included by description of the development and psychometric testing of the questionnaires on asthma knowledge. Quality criteria for content validity, construct validity, internal consistency and reproducibility were evaluated and assigned as “positive”, “intermediate” or “negative” rating. Results: Twenty-two instruments were included in the study. None of them had a positive review for all four evaluated psychometric properties. Six received positive or intermediate classification, one of these was developed in Portuguese-BR. Conclusion: Currently, there are 22 questionnaires available to assess the level of asthma knowledge, but most of the instruments do not have full psychometric validationIntrodução: a avaliação do nível de conhecimento em asma é um dos principais desfechos para estudos vinculados a programas de educação em asma. Para isso, identificar o instrumento específico adequado para tal desfecho é essencial para o sucesso de pesquisas nessa área. Objetivo: identificar instrumentos específicos para avaliar o conhecimento de asma, analisando as características principais e os crité- rios de qualidade para validação psicométrica. Métodos: uma revisão sistemática foi realizada para identificar medidas de resultados disponíveis para avaliar o conhecimento da asma em crianças, adolescentes, responsáveis legais e profissionais de saúde. Aplicamos a lógica de pesquisa nas bases de dados Medline, Lilacs, Scopus, Science Direct, PsycINFO, Cochrane e Tripdatabase. Os artigos foram incluídos mediante descrição do desenvolvimento e teste psicométrico dos questionários de conhecimento em asma. Para os critérios de qualidade, a validade de conteúdo, validade de construto, consistência interna e reprodutibilidade foram avaliados e atribuída uma classificação “positivo”, “intermediário” ou “negativo”. Resultados: vinte e dois instrumentos foram incluídos. Nenhum deles teve uma avaliação positiva para todas as quatro propriedades psicométricas avaliadas. Seis receberam classificação “positivo” ou “intermediário”. Destes, somente um foi desenvolvido em português-BR. Conclusão: Atualmente, existem 22 questionários disponíveis para avaliar o nível de conhecimento da asma, mas maioria dos instrumentos não possui validação psicométrica complet

Influence of Quick Massage on perceived stress and its implications in indicators of software developers’ quality of life

Objetivo: Investigar o efeito da quick massage no nível de estresse percebido e suas implicações nos indicadores de estilo de vida de desenvolvedores de software da cidade de Caxias do Sul/RS. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo intervencional, sendo aplicado um programa de Quick Massage, duas vezes por semana, por um período igual a 12 semanas. A amostra foi composta por conveniência, e a intervenção foi aplicada em trabalhadores, adultos, de ambos os sexos, celetistas de uma empresa de desenvolvimento de software da cidade de Caxias do Sul/RS. Cada sessão teve durabilidade de 15 minutos e foi desempenhada por um massagista devidamente capacitado em horário e local de trabalho. Além da intervenção, foram aplicados dois questionários nos momentos pré e pós intervenção (Estresse Percebido e Pentáculo de Bem-estar). Além desses, na fase pré-intervenção, foi aplicado um questionário para classificação da amostra (Anamnese). Resultados:Participaram do estudo 26 desenvolvedores de software, 57,7% do sexo masculino, com idade média de 33,8±10,3 anos. O escore total do índice positivo de bem-estar, na fase de pré-intervenção, era de 15,4% (n=4) da amostra; já na fase de pós-intervenção, esse índice aumentou para 76,9% (n=20) dos participantes analisados. No escore total de estresse percebido, houve diminuição de 48,1±8,2 para 34,9±5,0 no índice de estresse. Conclusão: Quick Massage é um relevante auxílio no aumento dos indicadores de estilo de vida dos trabalhadores, bem como um importante tratamento no combate ao estresse dessa população.Objective:Investigating the effect of quick massage on perceived stress level and its implications in lifestyle indicators of software developers in Caxias do Sul County/RS. Methods:Interventional study based on the application of a Quick Massage software twice a week for 12 weeks. Convenience sample comprised adult male and female workers from a software development company in Caxias do Sul County, RS, to whom the intervention was applied. Each session lasted 15 minutes and was performed by a properly trained masseur, at participants’ working shift and place. In addition to the intervention, two questionnaires (Perceived Stress and Well-being Pentacle) were applied at pre- and post-intervention stages. Moreover a questionnaire was applied at pre-intervention stage in order to classify the sample (Anamnesis). Results: Twenty-seven software developers (57.7% men, at mean age 33.8±10.3 years) participated in the study. The total score of the positive well-being index corresponded to 15.4% (n=4) of the sample at pre-intervention stage, and it increased to 76.9% (n=20) of participants at post-intervention stage. Based on the total perceived stress score, there was stress index decrease from 48.1±8.2 to 34.9±5.0. Conclusion: Quick Massage is a relevant tool to help increasing workers’ quality of life indicators, as well as an important treatment against stress in this population.Keywords| Lifestyle; Stress, Massage, Occupational health; Health Promotion.1Centro Universitário da Serra Gaúcha. Caxias do Sul/RS, Brasil.2Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul. Porto Alegre/RS, Brasil

Colorectal cancer prevalence linked to human papillomavirus : a systematic review with meta-analysis

Introdução: O câncer colorretal é um dos tipos de tumor mais prevalentes na população mundial. A mortalidade causada por esses tumores malignos continua elevada e mantém-se praticamente no mesmo nível nas últimas décadas. Entre os fatores de risco já estabelecidos para o desenvolvimento do câncer estão as infecções por patógenos ou vírus. Entre os vírus, o papilomavírus humano (HPV) é o mais prevalente, tendo mais de 180 cepas, das quais 40 estão diretamente relacionadas com infecções anogenitais. Objetivo: Avaliar de forma sistemática, com metanálise, os principais estudos que associam o HPV ao câncer colorretal. Métodos: Como estratégia de busca foi adotada a lógica baseada em descritores específicos (idioma inglês), vinculados aos operadores booleanos (AND/OR). As buscas foram aplicadas nas bases de dados PubMed, ScienceDirect e Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), no período de abril e maio de 2015. Resultados: Foram avaliadas 1.549 amostras, sendo 956 (61,7%) do sexo masculino. Foram diagnosticados 630/1.358 casos de câncer colorretal por HPV (51,9%). Destes, 408/767 (51,9%) eram do sexo masculino e 404/598 (67,5%) foram associados aos HPVs 16 e 18, com prevalência tumoral na região do colo (253/411; 61,3%). Do total de 598 amostras para estimativa das prevalências de HPV-16 e HPV-18, a quantidade de casos com valores muito semelhantes foi de 204 (31,7%) e 200 (35,8%), respectivamente. Foram verificados valores relativamente expressivos na região do colo, 253 (61,3%), e na região retal, 158 (38,7%). Conclusão: Após a realização do presente estudo, a associação entre HPV e câncer colorretal ficou evidente, não havendo distinção entre gêneros, com valores muito semelhantes entre o HPV-16 e o HPV-18.Introduction: Colorectal cancer is one of the most prevalent types of tumors worldwide. Deaths caused by these malignant tumors remain high and have stayed practically at the same level for the last few decades. Among the established risk factors for the development of cancer are infections due to pathogens or viruses. Among the viruses, the human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most prevalent, with over 180 strains, 40 of which are directly related to anogenital infections. Objective: Systematically assess the main studies which link HPV to colorectal cancer with meta-analysis. Methods: The search strategy adopted was the logic based on specific descriptors (English language), in combination with the Boolean operators (AND/OR). The search was conducted in the following databases: PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), between April and May 2015. Results: 1,549 samples were assessed, with 956 (61.7%) being males. Six hundred thirty out of 1,358 cases of colorectal cancer due to HPV were diagnosed (51.9%). From these, 408 of 767 (51.9%) were male and 404 of 598 (67.5%) were linked to HPV 16 and 18, with tumor prevalence in the area of the cervix (253 of 411; 61.3%). From the total of 598 samples for the prevalence estimate of HPV 16 and 18, the number of cases with similar numbers was 204 (31.7%) and 200 (35.8%), respectively. Relatively significant numbers were found in the area of the cervix, 253 (61.3%), and the area of the rectum, 158 (38.7%). Conclusion: After conducting the present study, the link between HPV and colorectal cancer was made evident, without a distinction between the sexes, with similar values between HPV 16 and HPV 18