Breastfeeding and the anthropometric profile of children with sickle cell anemia receiving follow-up in a newborn screening reference service

AbstractObjectiveTo study the breastfeeding history (BF) and the anthropometric status of children with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD).MethodsA cross-sectional study of 357 children with SCD aged between 2 and 6 years, regularly followed at a Newborn Screening Reference Service (NSRS) between November 2007 and January 2009. The outcome was anthropometric status and the exposures were: BF pattern, type of hemoglobinopathy and child's age and gender.ResultsThe mean (SD) age was 3.7 (1.1) years, 52.9% were boys and 53.5% had SCA (hemoglobin SS). The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding (EBR) up to six months of age was 31.5%, the median EBR times (p25-p75) was 90.0 (24.0-180.0) days and the median weaning ages (p25-p75) was 360.0 (90.0-720.0) days respectively. Normal W/H children experienced EBR for a mean duration almost four times longer than malnourished children (p=0.01), and were weaned later (p<0.05). Height deficit was found in 5.0% of children, while all the children with severe short stature had had SCA (hemoglobin SS) and were older than 4 years of age.ConclusionsEBF time and weaning age were greater than that found in the literature, which is a possible effect of the multidisciplinary follow-up. Duration of EBF and later weaning were associated with improved anthropometric indicators

Aleitamento materno e perfil antropométrico de crianças com doença falciforme acompanhadas em serviço de referência em triagem neonatal

Objetivo: descrever a história de aleitamento materno (AM) e estado antropométrico de crianças com doença falciforme (DF). Métodos: estudo transversal com 357 crianças com hemoglobinopatias SS e SC de dois e seis anos, acompanhadas regularmente num Serviço de Referência em Triagem Neonatal (SRTN) entre novembro de 2007 e janeiro de 2009. O desfecho correspondeu ao estado antropométrico e as exposições foram: padrão do AM, tipo de hemoglobinopatia, faixa etária e sexo da criança. Resultados: a média (DP) de idade observada foi de 3,7 (1,1) anos, 52,9% meninos e 53,5% com hemoglobinopatia SS. A prevalência de aleitamento materno exclusivo (AME) até o sexto mês foi de 31,5%, a mediana (p25-p75) do tempo de AME foi de 90 (24-180) dias e a mediana (p25-p75) da idade de desmame foi de 360 (90-720) dias. Crianças eutróficas em relação ao P/A tiveram o tempo de AME, em média, quase quatro vezes maior do que os desnutridos (p < 0,01), bem como foram desmamadas mais tarde (p < 0,05). O déficit de altura foi encontrado em 5% das crianças e todas as crianças com baixa estatura grave tinham hemoglobinopatia SS e mais de quatro anos. Conclusões: o tempo de AME e a idade de desmame foram superiores aos encontrados na literatura, possível efeito do acompanhamento multidisciplinar. A duração do AME e a idade mais tardia de desmame foram associadas a melhores indicadores antropométricos.Objective: to study the breastfeeding history (BF) and the anthropometric status of children with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). Methods: a cross-sectional study of 357 children with SCD aged between 2 and 6 years, regularly followed at a Newborn Screening Reference Service (NSRS) between November 2007 and January 2009. The outcome was anthropometric status and the exposures were: BF pattern, type of hemoglobinopathy and child's age and gender. Results: the mean (SD) age was 3.7 (1.1) years, 52.9% were boys and 53.5% had SCA (hemoglobin SS). The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding (EBR) up to six months of age was 31.5%, the median EBR times (p25-p75) was 90.0 (24.0-180.0) days and the median weaning ages (p25-p75) was 360.0 (90.0-720.0) days respectively. Normal W/H children experienced EBR for a mean duration almost four times longer than malnourished children (p=0.01), and were weaned later (p<0.05). Height deficit was found in 5.0% of children, while all the children with severe short stature had had SCA (hemoglobin SS) and were older than 4 years of age. Conclusions: EBF time and weaning age were greater than that found in the literature, which is a possible effect of the multidisciplinary follow-up. Duration of EBF and later weaning were associated with improved anthropometric indicators

A Long-Term Conserved Satellite DNA That Remains Unexpanded in Several Genomes of Characiformes Fish Is Actively Transcribed

Eukaryotic genomes contain large amounts of repetitive DNA sequences, such as tandemly repeated satellite DNAs (satDNAs). These sequences are highly dynamic and tend to be genus- or species-specific due to their particular evolutionary pathways, although there are few unusual cases of conserved satDNAs over long periods of time. Here, we used multiple approaches to reveal that an satDNA named CharSat01-52 originated in the last common ancestor of Characoidei fish, a superfamily within the Characiformes order, ∼140-78 Ma, whereas its nucleotide composition has remained considerably conserved in several taxa. We show that 14 distantly related species within Characoidei share the presence of this satDNA, which is highly amplified and clustered in subtelomeric regions in a single species (Characidium gomesi), while remained organized as small clusters in all the other species. Defying predictions of the molecular drive of satellite evolution, CharSat01-52 shows similar values of intra- and interspecific divergence. Although we did not provide evidence for a specific functional role of CharSat01-52, its transcriptional activity was demonstrated in different species. In addition, we identified short tandem arrays of CharSat01-52 embedded within single-molecule real-time long reads of Astyanax paranae (536 bp-3.1 kb) and A. mexicanus (501 bp-3.9 kb). Such arrays consisted of head-to-tail repeats and could be found interspersed with other sequences, inverted sequences, or neighbored by other satellites. Our results provide a detailed characterization of an old and conserved satDNA, challenging general predictions of satDNA evolution

Biological Effects and Safety in Magnetic Resonance Imaging: A Review

Since the introduction of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) as a diagnostic technique, the number of people exposed to electromagnetic fields (EMF) has increased dramatically. In this review, based on the results of a pioneer study showing in vitro and in vivo genotoxic effects of MRI scans, we report an updated survey about the effects of non-ionizing EMF employed in MRI, relevant for patients’ and workers’ safety. While the whole data does not confirm a risk hypothesis, it suggests a need for further studies and prudent use in order to avoid unnecessary examinations, according to the precautionary principle

Olpadronate prevents the bone loss induced by cyclosporine in the rat

The aim of the present in vivo experimental study was to investigate changes in bone turnover and bone mineral density (BMD) induced by cyclosporine (CsA) administration. The effectiveness of olpadronate (OPD) in preventing bone loss associated with CsA treatment was also evaluated. Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats (approximately 5 months old) were treated as follows: Group I: CsA+OPD vehicles (control); Group II: CsA 15 mg/kg + OPD vehicle; Group III: CsA 15 mg/kg + 4 ug OPD/100g rat; Group IV: CsA 15 mg/kg + 8 ug OPD/100g rat; Group V: CsA 15 mg/kg + 16 ug OPD/100g rat. CsA was administered by daily oral gavage and OPD by intraperitoneal injection once a week. Serum bone-alkaline phosphatase (b-ALP) and urinary deoxypyridinoline (DPyr) were measured on days 0, 14 and 30. Total skeleton, femur, lumbar spine, proximal, and middle tibia BMDs were measured on days 0 and 30. No significant differences were found between the CsA and the control groups as regards serum bALP levels, on days 14 and 30. CsA+OPD treated rats presented a transient increment in serum b-ALP on day 14 and a significantly lower level on day 30 compared to the control and CsA groups (P < 0.05). On days 14 and 30, DPyr excretion increased in the CsA group compared to control animals (P < 0.05). The three studied doses of OPD induced a significant decrease in DPyr excretion in the CsA group on days 14 and 30 (P < 0.05). Group V (receiving the highest dose of OPD) presented a significantly lower level of DPyr compared to the other two OPD-treated groups (P < 0.05). On day 30, the CsA group presented a significant reduction in proximal tibia, spine and whole femur BMDs (P < 0.05) compared to controls. On day 30, OPD treatment increased BMD of all the studied areas in CsA rats. Proximal tibia BMD of group V reached significantly higher values than the other studied OPD groups (P < 0.05). In summary, this study suggests that CsA-induced high bone resorption and trabecular bone loss is prevented by cotreatment with OPD. Moreover, it encourages the possible use of OPD to treat patients receiving CsA as immunosuppressive therapy.Fil: Zeni, Susana Noemi. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Hospital de Clínicas General San Martín. División Osteopatías; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Inmunología, Genética y Metabolismo. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Inmunología, Genética y Metabolismo; ArgentinaFil: Di Gregorio, Silvana. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Hospital de Clínicas General San Martín. División Osteopatías; ArgentinaFil: Gomez, A.C.. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Hospital de Clínicas General San Martín. División Osteopatías; ArgentinaFil: Somoza, Julia Isabel. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Hospital de Clínicas General San Martín. División Osteopatías; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Inmunología, Genética y Metabolismo. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Inmunología, Genética y Metabolismo; ArgentinaFil: Mautalen, Carlos Alfredo. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Hospital de Clínicas General San Martín. División Osteopatías; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

AVALIAÇÃO DO PRÉ-TRATAMENTO OSMÓTICO COM CLORETO DE SÓDIO E DIFERENTES TEMPOS SOBRE A SECAGEM DA ABÓBORA CABOTIÁ

A abóbora Cabotiá possui importância econômica relevante, além de ser uma ótima opção de alimento com propriedades organolépticas agradáveis ao consumidor. A vida útil deste fruto é maior quando comparada a outras espécies, porém, para produção de derivados o teor de agua é um fator a ser estudado devido a possíveis perdas quanto a conservação destes produtos. Alguns pré-tratamentos, como a desidratação osmótica podem ser utilizados nas indústrias como alternativas de redução de água. Por isto, este trabalho teve como objetivo realizar a desidratação osmótica da abóbora Cabotiá, variando-se a concentração de cloreto de sódio (NaCl) e o tempo de imersão. Para isto, empregou-se um planejamento fatorial completo 22, sendo variáveis independentes o tempo (30 e 60 min) de imersão em solução osmótica e concentração de cloreto de sódio (1% e 3% m/V) obtendo-se como resposta a perda de massa do produto. Os dois parâmetros estudados foram significativos, sendo que na maior concentração de NaCl e no menor tempo obteve-se os maiores resultados para perda de massa.  O uso da desidratação osmótica como um pré-tratamento resulta em maior vida útil do produto, sendo que a utilização do cloreto de sódio mantem ou melhora o sabor do produto processado

Additional file 1: of Hydrothermal Synthesis of Silver Vanadium Oxide (Ag0.35V2O5) Nanobelts for Sensing Amines

The TEM image of V 2 O 5 as a reactant is displayed in Fig. S1. The effects of SDS/V molar ratio on the morphology of the as-prepared nanobelts is shown in Fig. S2. Fig. S3 shows the stability of Ag0.35V2O5 nanostructure by calcining the material at 400 °C for 10 hours in air. Fig. S4 shows the response/revovery time for this material. The details can be seen in Supporting Information

Interleukin-17A+ cell counts are increased in systemic sclerosis skin and their number is inversely correlated with the extent of skin involvement

Levels of interleukin-17A (IL-17A) have been found to be increased in synovial fluid from individuals with systemic sclerosis (SSc). This study was undertaken to investigate whether IL-17A-producing cells are present in affected SSc skin, and whether IL-17A exerts a role in the transdifferentiation of myofibroblasts

Interrelationship between bone turnover markers and dietary calcium intake in pregnant women: A longitudinal study

This longitudinal study evaluated bone turnover and the interrelationship between changes in bone biomarkers and habitual dietary calcium intake during pregnancy in a group of women ranging widely with regard to dietary calcium intake. Thirty-nine healthy pregnant and 30 nonpregnant women were studied. Calcium, phosphorus, 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25diHOD), bone alkaline phosphatase (bALP), carboxyterminal propeptides of type I procollagen (PICP) and carboxyterminal telopeptides of type I collagen (βCTX and ICTP) were measured in serum and calcium, and creatinine and aminoterminal telopeptide (NTX) were determined in urine. Serum calcium and phosphorus did not change but the urinary Ca/Creat ratio and 1,25diHOD increased throughout pregnancy (P NTX >ICTP. Serum 1,25 diHOD versus calcium intake showed a positive and significant correlation (r = 0.51, P < 0.02). A negative correlation between the absolute change in βCTX, NTX, and b-ALP between the third and second trimester and calcium intake at the end of pregnancy was observed in pregnant women who did not cover adequately calcium intake requirements (r = -0.47, P < 0.03; r = -0.41, P < 0.05; and r = -0.43, P < 0.05, respectively). These results suggest that skeletal response to pregnancy may not be entirely independent of maternal calcium intake, especially in women with usually low calcium intake. In summary, not only hormonal changes in calcium metabolism that occur during pregnancy but also other considerations, such as low dietary calcium intake, may lead to an increment in the biological activity of the skeleton. Additional studies must be conducted to confirm our findings and to gain a better understanding of skeletal response to a low calcium intake during pregnancy.Fil: Zeni, Susana Noemi. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Hospital de Clínicas General San Martín. División Osteopatías; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Inmunología, Genética y Metabolismo. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Inmunología, Genética y Metabolismo; ArgentinaFil: Soler, Carlos R. Ortela. Hospital Interzonal General de Agudos Paroissien (higa Paroissien) ; Gobierno de la Provincia de Buenos Aires;Fil: Lazzari, Araceli. Hospital Interzonal General de Agudos Paroissien (higa Paroissien) ; Gobierno de la Provincia de Buenos Aires;Fil: Lopez, Laura Beatriz. Hospital Interzonal General de Agudos Paroissien (higa Paroissien) ; Gobierno de la Provincia de Buenos Aires;Fil: Suarez, Marisa. Hospital Interzonal General de Agudos Paroissien (higa Paroissien) ; Gobierno de la Provincia de Buenos Aires;Fil: Di Gregorio, Silvana. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Hospital de Clínicas General San Martín. División Osteopatías; ArgentinaFil: Somoza, Julia Isabel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Inmunología, Genética y Metabolismo. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Inmunología, Genética y Metabolismo; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Hospital de Clínicas General San Martín. División Osteopatías; ArgentinaFil: Pita Martín de Portela, María Luz. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquimica. Departamento de Sanidad Nutricion Bromatologia y Toxicologia. Catedra de Nutricion.; Argentin