Human predisposition to cognitive impairment and its relation with environmental exposure to potentially toxic elements

New lines of evidence suggest that less than 10% of neurodegenerative diseases have a strict genetic aetiology and other factors may be prevalent. Environmental exposures to potentially toxic elements appear to be a risk factor for Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and sclerosis diseases. This study proposes a multidisciplinary approach combining neurosciences, psychology and environmental sciences while integrating socio-economic, neuropsychological, environmental and health data. We present the preliminary results of a neuropsychological assessment carried out in elderly residents of the industrial city of Estarreja. A battery of cognitive tests and a personal questionnaire were administered to the participants. Multivariate analysis and multiple linear regression analysis were used to identify potential relationships between the cognitive status of the participants and environmental exposure to potentially toxic elements. The results suggest a relationship between urinary PTEs levels and the incidence of cognitive disorders. They also point towards water consumption habits and profession as relevant factors of exposure. Linear regression models show that aluminium (R2 = 38%), cadmium (R2 = 11%) and zinc (R2 = 6%) are good predictors of the scores of the Mini-Mental State Examination cognitive test. Median contents (µg/l) in groundwater are above admissible levels for drinking water for aluminium (371), iron (860), manganese (250), and zinc (305). While the World Health Organization does not provide health-based reference values for aluminium, results obtained from this study suggest that it may have an important role in the cognitive status of the elderly. Urine proved to be a suitable biomarker of exposure both to elements with low and high excretion rates

Avaliação de preditores do óbito neonatal em uma série histórica de nascidos vivos no Nordeste brasileiro An evaluation of the predictors of neonatal death in a time series of live births in the Northeast Region of Brazil

OBJETIVOS: avaliar tendência dos preditores do óbito neonatal entre os nascidos vivos e qualidade do preenchimento do Sistema de Informações para Nascidos Vivos (Sinasc) institucional. MÉTODOS: série histórica do Sinasc do Instituto de Medicina Integral Prof. Fernando Figueira (1995-2006) em Recife, Pernambuco, Brasil. Foram avaliadas: completitude de preenchimento das variáveis e tendência dos indicadores de risco para mortalidade infantil (baixo peso ao nascer; anóxia; prematuridade; cesariana; ausência de pré-natal; mãe adolescente; analfabetismo e nenhum filho nascido vivo e morto). Significância estatística para teste t de Student foi de 5% em um modelo de regressão linear. RESULTADOS: 58.689 nascidos vivos com contínuo incremento a partir de 2002; baixo peso ao nascer, 22,8%; Apgar <7 1º minuto 15,3%; prematuros 22,4%; parto cesáreo 38,2%; mães adolescentes 27,2%; analfabetas 2,7% e 89% sem filho nascido morto. Prevaleceu 1% de variáveis ignoradas. Tendência de aumento (p<0,05): Apgar no 1º minuto, baixo peso ao nascer, prematuridade e parto cesáreo; tendência de declínio(p<0,05): nenhuma consulta de pré-natal, mães adolescentes, analfabetismo e nenhum filho nascido morto. CONCLUSÕES: valores progressivos dos preditores do óbito infantil sugerem problemas na qualidade do pré-natal. Predomínio de 1% de informação ignorada, excelente qualidade de preenchimento do Sinasc institucional. Avaliação rotineira dos nascimentos promove agilidade da informação e intervenções oportunas na prevenção dos óbitos neonatais no nível local.<br>OBJECTVES: to evaluate predictors of neonatal death among live births and the quality of use of the institutional Live Birth Information System register (Sinasc). METHODS: a time serie based on data from the Sinasc of the Instituto de Medicina Integral Prof. Fernando Figueira (1995-2006) in the city Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil. The following were evaluated: the completeness of the forms and the tendency regarding risk factors for infant mortality (low birth weight; anoxia; premature birth; caesarian birth; lack of prenatal care; adolescent pregnancy; illiteracy; and having had no live or still born child). Statistical significance was tested using Student's t test with p<0.05 in a linear regression model. RESULTS: 58,689 live births occurred with a continued rise from 2002 onwards; low birth weight, 22.8%; Apgar <7 1º minute 15.3%; premature 22.4%; Caesarian birth 38,2%; adolescent mothers 27.2%; illiteracy 2.7% and 89% with no live or still born child. One percent of variables were not recorded. The following variables increased (p<0.05): Apgar in the 1st minute, low birth weight, premature birth and caesarian birth; and the following decreased (p<0,05): no pre-natal consultation, adolescent pregnancy, illiteracy and having had no live or still born child. CONCLUSIONS: increasing percentages for the predictors of infant mortality suggest problems with the quality of pre-natal care. With only 1% of information overlooked, the quality of the keeping of SINASC records at the institution was found to be excellent. Routine evaluation of births allows for agility of information and appropriate intervention to prevent neonatal mortality at local level