What do popular Spanish women's magazines say about caesarean section? A 21-year survey

ObjectivesCaesarean section (CS) rates are increasing worldwide and maternal request is cited as one of the main reasons for this trend. Women's preferences for route of delivery are influenced by popular media, including magazines. We assessed the information on CS presented in Spanish women's magazines.DesignSystematic review.SettingWomen's magazines printed from 1989 to 2009 with the largest national distribution.SampleArticles with any information on CS.MethodsArticles were selected, read and abstracted in duplicate. Sources of information, scientific accuracy, comprehensiveness and women's testimonials were objectively extracted using a content analysis form designed for this study.Main outcome measuresAccuracy, comprehensiveness and sources of information.ResultsMost (67%) of the 1223 selected articles presented exclusively personal opinion/birth stories, 12% reported the potential benefits of CS, 26% mentioned the short-term and 10% mentioned the long-term maternal risks, and 6% highlighted the perinatal risks of CS. the most frequent short-term risks were the increased time for maternal recovery (n=86), frustration/feelings of failure (n=83) and increased post-surgical pain (n=71). the most frequently cited long-term risks were uterine rupture (n=57) and the need for another CS in any subsequent pregnancy (n=42). Less than 5% of the selected articles reported that CS could increase the risks of infection (n=53), haemorrhage (n=31) or placenta praevia/accreta in future pregnancies (n=6). the sources of information were not reported by 68% of the articles.ConclusionsThe portrayal of CS in Spanish women's magazines is not sufficiently comprehensive and does not provide adequate important information to help the readership to understand the real benefits and risks of this route of delivery.Department of Reproductive Health of the World Health OrganizationBrazilian Cochrane Ctr, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Internal Med, São Paulo, BrazilFederac Mujeres Jovenes, Madrid, SpainWHO, Dept Reprod Hlth & Res, CH-1211 Geneva, SwitzerlandUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Internal Med, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Anticorpos antifosfolípides em 57 crianças e adolescentes com lúpus eritematoso sistêmico

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the frequencies and behavior of antiphospholipid antibodies in 57 children and adolescents with systemic lupus erythematosus. METHODS: Anticardiolipin antibodies were investigated by ELISA and lupus anticoagulant antibodies by the international tests recommended. The antiphospholipid antibodies analyses were performed in frozen samples (mean of 5.3 samples per patient obtained during a mean follow-up period of 3 years and 7 months) and on blood samples collected between January 1997 and November 1998 (mean of 2.5 samples per patient during a 2-year follow-up period). RESULTS: The frequencies of antiphospholipid antibodies (anticardiolipin and lupus anticoagulant) were similar in the samples collected prospectively and in the frozen samples (retrospective study): 63.2% and 75.4% respectively. Positivity for these antibodies fluctuated during the follow-up period and was not associated with any clinical or laboratory parameters of lupus erythematosus, including autoantibodies and also including disease activity and/or severity scores. CONCLUSIONS: The frequencies of antiphospholipid antibodies in children and adolescents with lupus erythematosus were similar to those observed in adults. The positivity fluctuated during the follow-up and was not correlated with clinical and/or laboratory disease parameters.OBJETIVO: Investigara freqüência e o comportamento dos anticorpos antifosfolípides em 57 crianças e adolescentes com lúpus eritematoso sistêmico. MÉTODOS: A técnica laboratorial para a pesquisa do anticorpo anticardiolipina foi ELISA e para a pesquisa do anticorpo anticoagulante lúpico foram seguidas as recomendações internacionais. A pesquisa dos anticorpos antifosfolípides foi realizada em soros estocados (média de 5,3 amostras por paciente durante o período de seguimento de em média 3 anos e 7 meses) e em soros coletados no período de janeiro de 1997 à novembro de 1998 (média de 2,5 amostras por paciente em um período de dois anos). RESULTADOS: A freqüência dos anticorpos antifosfolípides (anticorpo anticardiolipina e anticoagulante lúpico) foi semelhante nos soros coletados prospectivamente e nos soros estocados (estudo retrospectivo): 63,2% e 75,4% respectivamente. A positividade destes anticorpos flutuou durante o seguimento e não esteve associado a nenhum parâmetro clínico e laboratorial do lúpus eritematoso sistêmico, incluindo auto-anticorpos e também atividade e/ou gravidade da doença. CONCLUSÕES: A freqüência dos anticorpos antifosfolípides em crianças e adolescentes com lúpus eritematoso sistêmico foi semelhante à observada em adultos. A positividade dos anticorpos flutuou durante o seguimento dos pacientes e não foi evidenciada associação com parâmetros clínicos e/ou laboratoriais da doença

Environmental education in secondary schools in the region of Ribeirão Preto (SP, Brazil): how teachers' views of the environment determine their teaching and some reflections on chemistry teachers' higher education

During short courses, 95 secondary school teachers from 49 state schools and 421 students from the Ribeirão Preto region (in Sao Paulo state, Brazil, with a population of 530,000) were asked to fill in different questionnaires. The points raised in the teacher's questionnaire were used as a guide to establish a continuous dialogue during the short courses. Most of the schools claimed to have some kind of environmental education (EE). Based on the questionnaires and dialogues we analyzed how the teachers' perceptions on EE reflect on the views secondary students hold about their own responsibility for preserving the environment. The role of universities in the preparation of chemistry teachers capable of effectively approaching EE is also discussed

Intelligent quotient of obese children and adolescents by the Weschler scale

The intellectual characteristics of 65 obese children and adolescents (weight for height &sup3;140% ), aged 8 to 13 years and 11 months, were compared to those of 35 eutrophic children and adolescents (weight for height between 90 and 110%; and stature for age > 95%) of the same age group, utilizing the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children - WISC. Children and adolescents of the two groups were paired according to age groups, schooling level and socioeconomic condition. The obese group was composed of new patients assisted at the Department of Pediatrics of the Federal University of S. Paulo (Escola Paulista de Medicina), Brazil. The control group was made up of children from public primary schools, from the same geographical area as those studied. The eutrophic group presented significantly better performance in the intelligence test (Intelligence Quotient - IQ) than the obese group (average IQ - 91 x 85; p < 0.05). Eutrophic children and adolescents revealed a wider range of interests, better capacity for social adaptability as well as greater speed and dexterity. Although weak, there was a positive correlation between income level, weight/stature relation (W/S) and IQ. There was no correlation between IQ and level of schooling. The eutrophic boys from higher income levels showed better perceptual and spacial organizing ability and a wider range of interests than those from the lower income groups. In spite of the fact that all the average IQ results presented consistently favored the eutrophic in relation to the obese, it is not possible to confirm one group's superiority over the other, due to the wide range of intervenient factors involved in the intelligence process.Foram estudadas as características intelectuais de 65 crianças obesas, de 8 a 13 anos e 11 meses, comparativamente às de 35 crianças eutróficas, através da Escala de Inteligência Wechsler para Crianças. Os dois grupos foram pareados de acordo com a faixa etária, série escolar e nível socioeconômico. O grupo de obesos foi composto por pacientes atendidos pelo Departamento de Pediatria da Universidade Federal São Paulo, e o grupo-controle, por crianças pertencentes a escolas públicas. O grupo de eutróficos apresentou significantemente melhor desempenho no teste de inteligência do que o grupo de obesos (Quociente de inteligência -QI médio - 91 x 85; p < 0,05). Crianças eutróficas revelaram maior amplitude de interesses e capacidade de adaptação social e, melhor velocidade e destreza. Houve correlação positiva entre o nível de renda, a relação peso/estatura e o QI. Apesar de todos os resultados médios de QI apresentarem dados consistentemente favoráveis aos eutróficos, não se pode afirmar total superioridade desse grupo em virtude da ampla gama de fatores emocionais intervenientes no processo de inteligência, não controlados pelo estudo.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Departamento de PediatriaUNIFESP, Depto. de PediatriaSciEL

Enzyme inhibitory potential of Ligustrum lucidum Aiton berries

Ligustrum lucidum Aiton and its berries have been used in Chinese traditional medicine for around two thousand years. In the present study, L. lucidium berries harvested in two regions of Portugal were studied. Haemolytic activity and inhibition of oxidative haemolysis as well as the enzyme inhibitory activities ( -amylase enzyme and acetylcholinesterase) were assessed. Results suggest that the different biological activities varied according to the region where samples were collected. Results demonstrated that the sample obtained from region R1 was the most efficient extract for all parameters evaluated, presenting the lowest values of IC50, 10.67 0.46 g/mL for the inhibition of erythrocyte oxidative haemolysis, 58.28 3.77 g/mL for the -amylase enzyme and 67.67 _+ 2.10 ug/mL for the acetylcholinesterase inhibition. L. Lucidum berries may be an interesting source of compounds for use in the development of the therapeutic armamentarium for diseases where enzymatic disruption is believed to play a roleinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Integral valorization of pineapple (Ananas comosus l.) by-products through a green chemistry approach towards added value ingredients

We would like to thank the scientific collaboration of Escola Superior de Biotecnologia of Universidade Católica Portuguesa through CBQF under FCT–Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, to accept Débora Campos through a Ph.D. grant SFRH/BD/104074/2014.Industrial by-products are produced every day through fruit processing industries. Pineapple is not an exception; when processed, around 60% (w/w) of its weight are peels, stem, trimmings, and crown, the only used fruit part for human consumption. Due to high concerns of sustainability in the food system and negative high impact of human practice in the environment, a strategy has to be developed. Therefore, a green chemistry approach was applied to pineapple by-products to make an integrated valorization by the extraction of bioactive molecules. Two pineapple by-products (peels and stems) were studied, applying a green chemistry approach, which means the non-use of organic solvents or extreme methodologies. A subdivision of each by-product was done by the application of a juice machine. The peels and stems in the fresh state were ground separately, creating two fractions for each by-product—a juice and a wet pulp (press cake). The press cake was characterized, dried, and ground to create a fine powder flour. To the juice, a precipitation methodology with polysaccharides was applied, which allowed the bromelain separation (developing of an enzymatic fraction) from the fruit juice. The enzymatic extract was freeze-dried, and the juice was spray-dried, developing two more fine powders. Thus, three new ingredients were produced from each by-product, creating a total of six new ingredients. Overall, the enzymatic fractions represented around 0.26% (w/w) of pineapple weight. Pineapple stem juice represented 4.8% (w/w), and peel juice represented 17.3% (w/w). Pineapple stem flour represented 3.1% (w/w), and peel flour represented 11.4% (w/w) of the total pineapple weight. To valorize the by-products juices, a full characterization was performed of bioactive molecules and biological activities. When comparing the two juices, the peel juice showed lower content of total phenolic compounds, lower antioxidant capacity, and lower content of vitamin C. The different phenolic compounds were identified by HPLC analysis in the two pineapple by-products juices. However, the same compounds in both juices were quantified (chlorogenic, caffeic, and ferulic acids). On the other hand, the by-products flours had a high content of insoluble dietary fiber (IDF), mainly cellulose and hemicellulose. Therefore, the approach applied in this work opens the door to the production of green products, as a result of by-products valorization. This could be applied not only in the food industry but also in the nutraceutical and cosmetic industries.This research was funded by BiValBi–Biotechnologies to Valorize the regional Biodiversity in Latin America, in the funding project FP/-PEOPLE-2013-IRSES PEOPLE Marie Curie Program through project reference PIRSES-GA-2013-611493 and by FCT through project Multibiorefinery–Multi-purpose strategies for the creation of an integrated biorefinery (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-0066) and the project UID/Multi/50016/2019.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Diagnóstico parasitológico e imunológico da estrongiloidíase em crianças imunodeprimidas e imunocompetentes na cidade de Uberlândia, MG, Brasil

Parasitological and immunological diagnoses were part of a study conducted among 151 children, 83 immunocompromised (IC) and 68 non-immunocompromised (non-IC) aged from zero to 12, seen at the University Hospital, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil, from February, 1996, to June, 1998. Three fecal samples from each child were analyzed for the parasitological diagnosis by Baermann-Moraes and Lutz methods. The immunological diagnosis to detect IgG and IgM antibodies was carried out by the indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT) with cryo-microtome sections of Strongyloides stercoralis and Strongyloides ratti larvae as antigens and by the ELISA test with an alkaline extract of S. ratti as the antigens. Of the 151 children 5 (3.31%) were infected with larvae of S. stercoralis (2 cases IC, 2.41%, and 3 cases non-IC, 4.41%). The IFAT-IgG detected 7 (8.43%) serum samples positive among IC, and 2 (2.94%) cases among non-IC. The ELISA-IgG test detected 10 (12.05%) serum samples positive among IC, and 1 (1.47%) case among non-IC. The IFAT-IgM detected 6 (7.22%) positive cases among IC, and 3 (4.41%) cases among non-IC. ELISA-IgM test detected 10 (12.05%) positive cases among IC, and 3 (4.41%) cases among non-IC. It was concluded that the immunological tests can help in the diagnosis of strongyloidiasis in immunocompromised children.O diagnóstico parasitológico e imunológico da estrongiloidíase foi realizado em 151 crianças (83 imunodeprimidas -ID e 68 imunocompetentes -IC) de zero a 12 anos de idade internadas no Hospital de Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brasil, no período de fevereiro de 1996 a junho de 1998. Para o diagnóstico parasitológico três amostras de fezes de cada indivíduo foram processadas pelos métodos de Baermann-Moraes e de Lutz. O diagnóstico imunológico para a detecção de anticorpos IgG e IgM foi realizado através das reações de imunofluorescência indireta (RIFI) utilizando-se como antígeno cortes de 4 micra de larvas filarióides de Strongyloides stercoralis e Strongyloides ratti e do teste ELISA utilizando-se como antígeno extrato alcalino de larvas de S. ratti. Das 151 crianças, 5 (3,31%) estavam infectadas com S. stercoralis (2 casos ID, 2,41% e 3 casos IC, 4,41%). A RIFI- IgG detectou 7 (8,43%) amostras de soros positivas nas ID, e 2 (2,94%) nas IC. O teste ELISA-IgG detectou 10 (12,05%) amostras de soros positivas nas ID, e 1 (1,47%) nas IC. A RIFI-IgM detectou 6 (7,22%) casos positivos nas ID, e 3 (4,41%) nas IC. O teste ELISA-IgM detectou 10 (12,05%) casos positivos nas ID e 3 (4,41%) nas IC. Concluiu-se que os testes imunológicos podem contribuir para o diagnóstico da estrongiloidíase em crianças imunodeprimidas

The enthalpies of dissociation of the N-O bonds in two quinoxaline derivatives

The present work reports the first experimental thermochemical study of mono-N-oxides derived from quinoxaline, namely, 3-methoxycarbonyl-2-methyl-quinoxaline N-oxide and 3-ethoxycarbonyl-2-methyl-quinoxaline N-oxide. The values of the enthalpies of formation, in the condensed state, and of the enthalpies of sublimation, derived from static bomb calorimetry and Calvet microcalorimetry measurements, respectively, are combined to derive the standard molar enthalpies of formation in the gaseous phase for these two compounds. From the latter values, the first and second N-O bond dissociation enthalpies for the corresponding di-N-oxides have been obtained. The gas-phase experimental results are also compared with calculated data obtained with a density functional theory approach. Copyright (c) 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

Field Dependence/Independence and its Relationship to Schema Utilization during Discourse Processing

This study investigated the relationship between field dependence/independence and the ability to utilize prior knowledge during discourse processing. A sample population of thirty-one eighth grade students were given the Group Embedded Figures Test, a measure of field dependence/independence, and one of two narrative passages designed to measure the degree to which an individual utilizes prior knowledge. The scores of these two measures were analyzed to determine if there was a significant difference between the field dependents and the field independents in their performance on the constrained and unconstrained passages, measuring schema utilization. A significant difference was found in the mean score of the two groups on the constrained passage, no difference was found in their performance on the unconstrained passage. This analysis leads to the conclusion that in this testing population of eighth graders, the field independent students were better able to utilize their prior knowledge to comprehend a written passage than the field dependent students