The use of a novel amplification tool for molecular diagnosis of challenging samples

Objective: To obtain adequate amounts of starting material to beused in molecular diagnosis. Methods: Isothermal ramificationamplification. Results: Water samples where Legionella spp wasdiluted and small amount of human DNA from HIV infected patientswere submitted to a new amplification technology (GenomiPhi®kit). Those samples that were previously negative upon PCRbecame positive after the treatment. Conclusion: The newtechnology allows for molecular assays to be performed in samplesof reduced volumes or low concentration

Detection of clinically relevant yeast in blood: evaluation of methods for RNA extraction and amplification

Objectives: To evaluate different methods of extraction andpurification of RNA from yeast in blood samples to be used inmolecular-based diagnosis. Methods: Different combinations ofcommercially available kits were tested with blood samplesartificially inoculated with yeast cultures. Results: Qiagen kitsperformed better when compared to other commercial kits bothfor RNA extraction and one-step RT-PCR. Conclusions: Kits using ahot-start approach are better; the choice of kits has an importantimpact on the final result of a test

Sleep–Wake Patterns Reported by Parents in Hyperactive Children Diagnosed According to ICD-10, as Compared to Paired Controls

This study aimed primarily to compare the parent-reported sleep of children with ICD-10 hyperkinetic disorder (HKD) versus community children. Thirty children aged 5-13 years (83.3% boys) diagnosed with HKD by their child and adolescent psychiatrists took part in this study, plus 30 community children, matched for sex, age, and school year. Compared to the controls, the HKD children showed significantly later bedtimes, stronger bedtime resistance, longer sleep latency, shorter sleep; more frequent behaviors and symptoms concerning falling asleep into parents bed, needing something special to initiate sleep, nightmares, sleep talking, sleep bruxism, fear from darkness, bedwetting, and, most notably, loud snoring (26.7%); they also tended to show higher daytime somnolence. Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)/HKD children may thus have more sleep-related problems than typically developing children. Alternatively, our results may reflect misdiagnoses; thus, special attention should be directed to comorbidity and differential diagnosis issues between sleep disturbances and ADHD/HKD

Avaliação do metabolismo mineral de pacientes com doença renal crônica em diálise peritoneal: correlação entre parâmetros clínicos, bioquímicos e de histologia óssea

Introduction and Aims. Chronic kidney disease mineral bone disorders (CKD – MDB) is an important complicationin dialysis patients. However studies about this disorder in the peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients are rare and have methodological limitations. The aim of this study is to evaluate the profile of CKD-MBD (clinical, laboratory abnormalities, vascular calcification and renal osteodystrophy) in PD patients. Methodology. 29 PD patients with age ranging from 18 years-old to 65 years-old, in current treatment with PD for at least 6 months, were assessed by laboratory tests, hands and hip radiographs for characterization of vascular calcification and iliac crest biopsy for histomorphometric and immunohistochemistry analysis. Results. The main biochemical characteristics of the studied population were: ionized calcium: 4.84 ± 0.35mg/dl; phosphorus: 4.9 ± 1.74mg/dl; alkaline phosphatase: 108 ± 37.8U / L; iPTH: 355 (75-2435) pg / ml; sclerostin: 1,667.6 1,181.3 ± ng / ml, FGF-23: 494.5 (76-7122) pg / ml, 25 (OH) vitamin D 12.4 ± 7.3ng/ml. Histomorphometric parameters: Turnover: BFR / BS 0.01 (0.001-0.1) μm3/μm2/d; Mineralization: OV / BV 3:32 ± 3.82%; Mlt: 66.8 (83-1098) days Volume: BV / TV: 23.1 ± 8.3% . All patients presented 25(OH) vitamin D deficiency (31%) or insufficiency (69%) and mineralization defects. High and low bone turnover diseases were detected in 48.3% and 51.7% of patients, respectively. There was a predominance of adynamic disease (AD). Vascular calcification was present in 24% of the sample. Low turnover bone disease was associated with vascular calcification. Bone formation rate was negatively correlated to sclerostin levels (r = -0.45 P: 0.01). The trabecular bone volume was preserved in 70% of the patients. Conclusions. The prevalence of low and high turnover bone disease was similar in patients, being the former associated with vascular calcification. The AD was the most common histological type. It is relevant to detect 100% of D hypovitaminosis in the studied patients, so that the replacement of 25 (OH) vitamin D should be considered. Sclerostin, a recently discovered protein produced by osteocytes and which has an inhibitory effect on the bone tissue formation, might play a role in development of low turnover bone disease.Introdução. Os distúrbios mineral e ósseo da doença renal crônica (DMO-DRC) são complicações frequentes e severas nos pacientes em diálise. Esses distúrbios estão bem documentados nos pacientes em hemodiálise (HD), entretanto naqueles tratados com diálise peritoneal (DP) os estudos são raros, a grande maioria não avalia o tecido ósseo através de biópsia, além de apresentarem limitações metodológicas. Dessa forma são necessários estudos que avaliem os DMO-DRC nessa população. Objetivos. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o perfil dos DMO-DRC (características clínicas, laboratoriais, presença de calcificação vascular e tipo de doença óssea) nos pacientes em DP. Metodologia. 29 pacientes em DP com idade entre 18 e 65 anos, em tratamento há pelo menos 6 meses, foram submetidos à avaliação clínica e laboratorial, radiografia de mãos e quadris para detecção de calcificação vascular e à biópsia de crista ilíaca para análise histomorfométrica, além de quantificação da expressão de proteínas ósseas detectadas por imunohistoquímica. Resultados. As principais características bioquímicas e histomorfométricas da população estudada foram: cálcio ionizado: 4.84 ± 0.35mg/ dl; fósforo: 4.9 ± 1.74mg/dl; fosfatase alcalina: 108 ± 37.8U/L; iPTH: 355 (75-2435)pg/ml; esclerostina: 1,667.6 ± 1,181.3ng/ml; FGF-23: 494.5 (76-7122) pg/ml; 25 (OH) vitamina D 12.4 ± 7.3ng/ml. Parâmetros histomorfométricos: Remodelação óssea: BFR/BS 0.01 (0.001-0.1)μm3/μm2/d; Mineralização: OV/BV 3.32 ± 3.82%; Mlt: 66.8 (83-1098) dias; Volume ósseo: BV/TV: 23.1 ± 8.3%. Todos os pacientes apresentavam hipovitaminose D, sendo que 31% tinham deficiência e 69% insuficiência e defeito na mineralização óssea. Distúrbios de alta e baixa remodelação óssea foram detectados em 48,3% e 51,7% dos pacientes, respectivamente. Observou-se predomínio de doença adinâmica (DA). Calcificação Vascular foi detectada em 24% dos pacientes e encontramos associação entre a presença de calcificação vascular e doença de baixa remodelação. A expressão de esclerostina nas traves ósseas correlacionou-se negativamente com o volume ósseo (r:-0.45 P:0.01). O volume ósseo estava preservado em 70% dos pacientes. Discussão. Quanto ao perfil bioquímico, chama atenção a alta prevalência de deficiência e insuficiência de Vitamina D (100% dos doentes analisados). Sabe-se que os níveis de 25 (OH) vitamina D são mais baixos nos pacientes em diálise comparados aos indivíduos saudáveis, sobretudo naquelas que fazem DP, o que se justifica pela grande perda através do peritônio. Os resultados da análise histológica confirmaram os observados na literatura. Encontramos predomínio de doença adinâmica. No entanto, ao agruparmos os pacientes em alto e baixo remodelamento ósseo o primeiro grupo prevaleceu. A esclerostina é uma proteína recentemente descoberta, produzida pelos osteócitos e que tem uma ação inibitória sobre a formação do tecido ósseo. Através de imunohistoquímica documentamos a presença de tal proteína nas traves ósseas e a sua expressão se correlacionou negativamente com o volume ósseo. (r:-0,45; p: 0,01). Conclusões. A prevalência de doenças de baixa e alta remodelação foi semelhante nos pacientes. A DA foi o tipo histológico mais frequente. Observamos ainda associação entre baixa remodelação óssea e calcificação vascular. É relevante a detecção de 100% de hipovitaminose D nos pacientes estudados e a reposição de 25(OH) vitamina D deve ser considerada. Esclerostina, pode ter um papel no desenvolvimento de doenças de baixa remodelação

Trabalhando com seqüências didáticas: uma proposta de ensino e de análise de narrativas de aventuras de viagens

Jusqu’en 1997, le travail de production de textes (essentiellement narratifs) en 3ème degré de l’école obligatoire au “Colégio Arquidiocesano de São Paulo” se centrait principalement sur les aspects grammaticaux et orthographiques des textes. Le contact avec les propositions de Dolz e Pasquier (1994), Schneuwly (1994), Dolz e Schneuwly (1996), Schneuwly e Dolz (1999) concernant l’enseignement des genres textuels à travers des séquences didactiques a amené les coordinateurs et les enseignants du 3ème degré à élaborer une séquence didactique pour l’enseignement/ apprentissage de récits d’aventures de voyages. Dans cet article nous présentons de façon succincte la séquence sus-mentionnée ainsi que la synthèse des résultats les plus importants des productions analysées de douze élèves avant et après la réalisation de la séquence. Nous avons l’objectif de pointer les gains que ce dispositif peut offrir à l’enseignant dans sa pratique en classe. Mots-clés: production de textes écrits, séquences didactiques, récits d’aventures de voyages

Raízes de mandioca danificadas por Migdolus fryanus produzem amido de baixa qualidade

The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of starch produced by plants that suffer damage caused by M. fryanus, analyzed by colorimetric and morphological indices. Colorimetric data were composed of luminosity indices, “a” and “b” chroma coordinates and darkening index. For morphological data, the perimeter and area of starch granules extracted from cassava roots were analyzed. The variables were summarized in a principal component analysis and the axes scores retained for interpretation were correlated with the damage caused by the M. fryanus. From these analyses and observing the main effects, linear regression models for the variables were determined, according to the level of damage caused by the pest. The damage caused by M. fryanus in the roots strongly influenced the indices related to starch colorimetry, hence, under conditions of greater damage, the tendency of the chroma coordinates to vary toward red and yellow was observed and a decrease in starch luminosity occurred, inversely proportional to the increase in darkening. Similar to what was observed in the colorimetric data, a drop in the size of starch granules was noted in the roots, which suffered greater damage from the pest.O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a qualidade do amido produzido por plantas que sofrem danos causados por M. fryanus, analisada por meio de índices colorimétricos e morfológicos. Os dados colorimétricos foram compostos por índices de luminosidade, coordenadas de croma “a” e “b” e índice de escurecimento. Para os dados morfológicos, foram analisados o perímetro e a área dos grânulos de amido extraídos das raízes da mandioca. As variáveis foram resumidas em uma análise de componentes principais e os escores dos eixos retidos para interpretação foram correlacionados com os danos causados por M. fryanus. A partir dessas análises e observando os principais efeitos, foram determinados modelos de regressão linear para as variáveis, de acordo com o nível de dano causado pela praga. O dano causado por M. fryanus nas raízes influenciou fortemente os índices relacionados à colorimetria do amido, portanto, em condições de maior dano, observou-se a tendência das coordenadas de croma de variar para vermelho e amarelo e ocorreu diminuição da luminosidade do amido, inversamente proporcional ao aumento do escurecimento. Semelhante ao observado nos dados colorimétricos, observou-se queda no tamanho dos grânulos de amido nas raízes, que sofreram maiores danos da praga

Representações sociais de mulheres sobre a violência doméstica

Objetivo: Analisar as representações sociais de mulheres sobre violência doméstica contra a mulher. Métodos: Pesquisa qualitativa, fundamentada na Teoria das Representações Sociais. Os dados foram coletados por meio do Teste de Associação Livre de Palavras (TALP) e entrevista semiestruturada. Participaram 80 mulheres em situação de violência. Os dados obtidos foram analisados pelo software EVOC e pela Técnica de Análise de Conteúdo. Resultados: Foi obtido um corpus constituído de 77,75% de evocações livres, os termos agressão, humilhação, medo e xingamento foram os constituidores do núcleo central, sendo os mais evocados. Os termos agressão e xingamento obtiveram maior expressividade, sendo consideradas as principais representações da violência sofrida. Conclusões: As representações sociais de mulheres em situação de violência doméstica, à luz de suas experiências, encontram-se permeadas de medo, tristeza, insegurança, revelando uma significativa insatisfação; assim, o cuidado integral de enfermagem deve respeitar essas particularidades

Population-based seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 and the herd immunity threshold in Maranhão

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in the state of Maranhão, Brazil. METHODS: A population-based household survey was performed, from July 27, 2020 to August 8, 2020. The estimates considered clustering, stratification and non-response. Qualitative detection of IgM and IgG antibodies was performed in a fully-automated Elecsys® Anti-SARS-CoV-2 electrochemiluminescence immunoassay on the Cobas® e601 analyzer (Roche Diagnostics). RESULTS: In total, 3,156 individuals were interviewed. Seroprevalence of total antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 was 40.4% (95%CI 35.6-45.3). Population adherence to non-pharmaceutical interventions was higher at the beginning of the pandemic than in the last month. SARS-CoV-2 infection rates were significantly lower among mask wearers and among those who maintained social and physical distancing in the last month compared to their counterparts. Among the infected, 26.0% were asymptomatic. The infection fatality rate (IFR) was 0.14%, higher for men and older adults. The IFR based on excess deaths was 0.28%. The ratio of estimated infections to reported cases was 22.2. CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 estimated in this population-based survey is one of the highest reported. The local herd immunity threshold may have been reached or might be reached soon.OBJECTIVE: To estimate the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in the state of Maranhão, Brazil. METHODS: A population-based household survey was performed, from July 27, 2020 to August 8, 2020. The estimates considered clustering, stratification and non-response. Qualitative detection of IgM and IgG antibodies was performed in a fully-automated Elecsys® Anti-SARS-CoV-2 electrochemiluminescence immunoassay on the Cobas® e601 analyzer (Roche Diagnostics). RESULTS: In total, 3,156 individuals were interviewed. Seroprevalence of total antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 was 40.4% (95%CI 35.6-45.3). Population adherence to non-pharmaceutical interventions was higher at the beginning of the pandemic than in the last month. SARS-CoV-2 infection rates were significantly lower among mask wearers and among those who maintained social and physical distancing in the last month compared to their counterparts. Among the infected, 26.0% were asymptomatic. The infection fatality rate (IFR) was 0.14%, higher for men and older adults. The IFR based on excess deaths was 0.28%. The ratio of estimated infections to reported cases was 22.2. CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 estimated in this population-based survey is one of the highest reported. The local herd immunity threshold may have been reached or might be reached soon