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Biomedical subjects

M Andrade

Publications and source records attributed to M Andrade.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Energy balance and physical activity in obese children attending day-care centres.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate energy balance and physical activity in obese preschool children attending day-care centres. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SUBJECTS: Twenty-four 3-5 years old obese children selected at random from four different day-care centres in Santiago City, Chile. Total energy expenditure (TEE) was measured by doubly labelled water and physical activity as recorded by TRITRAC R3D motion sensor. Energy intake was assessed by measuring food intake while at the centre, along with the recording of additional food intake in the home. RESULTS: Obese children had a 5.4% higher weighed energy intake than their energy requirements 2001. Energy intake during the week was 7716+/-1092 kJ/day and 7401+/-1023 kJ/day in boys and girls, respectively. Minimal activity was higher in the day-care centres (62%) compared to 52% during the weekend at home. Light activity was higher during the weekend at home than during the week (25 versus 20%), but moderate-intense activity was similar (3-5%). CONCLUSIONS: Reduction in dietary energy provided at the day-care centres helps to balance energy requirements during the week. Obese children had marked sedentary characteristics with regards to physical activity, although children are more active at home in weekends. This situation suggests that educators and parents need to improve children's physical activity levels and nutrition habits.

Child Day Care Centers↗

A pilot study to evaluate the safety and feasibility of the administration of AZT/3TC fixed dose combination to HIV infected pregnant women and their infants in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the safety and feasibility of zidovudine and lamivudine (AZT/3TC) given to HIV infected pregnant women and their infants in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. METHODS: This open label phase II study enrolled 40 HIV infected antiretroviral naive women >or=20 weeks gestation, CD4 <500 cells x10(6)/l, from two public hospitals. TREATMENT: fixed dose AZT 300 mg/3TC 150 mg by mouth every 12 hours until labour; AZT 300 mg by mouth every 3 hours until delivery; infants: AZT 4 mg/kg every 12 hours plus 3TC 2 mg/kg every 12 hours for 6 weeks. Blood haematology and chemistry were monitored; adherence evaluated by pills count; efficacy measured by changes in lymphocyte (CD4) and viral load, and by HIV RNA-PCR tests performed at birth, 6 and 12 weeks, to diagnose infant infection. No women breast fed. RESULTS PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: mean age 24.48 (SD 3.5) years; gestational age 24.5 (4.5) weeks; AZT/3TC duration 14.4 (4.4) weeks; vaginal delivery: 11/39; caesarean section: 28/39. Entry and pre-labour CD4: 310/486 cells x10(6)/l (p<0.001); entry and pre-labour viral load: 53 818/2616 copies/ml (p<0.001). Thirty nine women tolerated treatment with >80% adherence; one was lost to follow up. Five newborns were excluded from 3TC receipt. All 39 babies were uninfected. Haematological toxicity in newborns was common: anaemia in 27; neutropenia in five (two severe); platelets counts <100000 in two. All values recovered on study completion. CONCLUSIONS: Fixed dose AZT/3TC is well accepted, gives improvements in CD4 and viral load; no infants were HIV infected. Haematological toxicity in infants needs careful monitoring.

Administration, Oral↗

Effect of anaerobic pretreatment on environmental and physicochemical characteristics of duckweed based stabilization ponds.

Duckweed based stabilization ponds, an alternative for wastewater treatment, are attracting a growing interest from researchers because they are basically a low cost technology, easy to built and operate, and produce tertiary quality effluents. Besides, this technology offers the possibility of resource recovery by producing high quality duckweed protein, which can be of further use. Since the technology is rather new, there are many aspects to be studied before its full-scale implementation. It is necessary to gain sound knowledge of the basic principles of the complex processes occurring in the system, as well as of the practical aspects of design and operation. The presence of a layer of duckweed on the surface is expected to produce different environmental and physicochemical conditions in the water from those found in conventional stabilization ponds. These environmental and physicochemical conditions affect both plant growth and biological treatment processes in the system, therefore it is important to determine their behavior in a duckweed system and how they can be affected by an anaerobic pretreatment. Continuous flow pilot plants composed of seven ponds in series were operated with artificial substrate under two different conditions: with anaerobic pretreatment and without anaerobic pretreatment. The flow was kept constant during the operation. Conditions such as pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, alkalinity, conductivity, chemical oxygen demand, biochemical oxygen demand, total and ammonium nitrogen, nitrites and nitrates, and phosphorus were evaluated in the system under steady state conditions. The main conclusions from the study include the following: pH, temperature and oxygen profiles are more stable in duckweed ponds than in conventional stabilization ponds; anaerobic pretreatment has a significant effect on the oxygen concentration in the system and on the organic matter removal but not on the nutrient removal.

Bacteria, Anaerobic↗

Segregation analyses and a genome-wide linkage search confirm genetic heterogeneity and suggest oligogenic inheritance in some Milroy congenital primary lymphedema families.

We previously described six families with Milroy congenital lymphedema, only one of which showed possible linkage to a candidate locus on chromosome 5 [Witte et al., 1998]. We have now performed a complex segregation analysis of these families, and performed linkage analyses with the other 387 markers used in our genome-wide search. Our results confirm that Milroy lymphedema is generally inherited as a dominant condition. However, this mode of inheritance, as elucidated from the segregation analyses, did not account for all observed familial correlations. The segregation analysis also suggested that shared environmental or additional genetic factors are important in explaining the observed familial aggregation. The finding of linkage to multiple locations in the largest family studied by multipoint parametric mapping (one of which was confirmed by sib-pair non-parametric mapping), suggests that Milroy congenital lymphedema may be oligogenic in this family.

Chromosome Mapping↗

Antileishmanial activity of an indole alkaloid from Peschiera australis.

In this study, we show the leishmanicidal effects of a chloroform fraction (CLF) and a purified indole alkaloid obtained from crude stem extract of Peschiera australis against Leishmania amazonensis, a causative agent of cutaneous leishmaniasis in the New World. In a bioassay-guided chemical fractionation, the leishmanicidal activity in CLF completely and irreversibly inhibited promastigote growth. This fraction was also active against amastigotes in infected murine macrophages. Chemical analysis of CLF identified an iboga-type indole alkaloid coronaridine as one of its major compounds. Coronaridine showed potent antileishmanial activity, inhibiting promastigote and amastigote growth. Promastigotes and amastigotes treated with CLF or coronaridine showed pronounced alterations in their mitochondria as assessed by transmission electron microscopy.

Alkaloids↗

Successful prevention of hiv transmission from mother to infant in Brazil using a multidisciplinary team approach.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the HIV vertical transmission rate (VTR) and associated risk factors by use of zidovudine and infant care education in Brazil. METHODS: Since 1995, a prospective cohort of HIV infected pregnant women has been followed at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. A multidisciplinary team was established to implement the best available strategy to prevent maternal-infant HIV transmission. Patients with AIDS or low CD(4) and high viral load received anti-retroviral drugs in addition to zidovudine. Children were considered infected if they had 2 positive PCR-RNA tests between 1 and 4 months of age, or were HIV antibody positive after 18 months. Education regarding infant treatment and use of formula instead of breast feeding was provided. RESULTS: Between 1995 and August, 2000, HIV status was determined for 145 infants. Compliance with intra-partum treatment, infant treatment and use of formula was 88.2%. Intra-partum zidovudine treatment was completed in 134/145 (92.6%) of patients; 88.1% had rupture of membranes < 4 hours; 85.4% of mothers were asymptomatic. The mean CD(4) count was 428.4 cells and mean viral load 39,050 copies. HIV vertical transmission rate was 4/145 (2.75%; CI: 0.1%-5.4%). The only risk factor significantly associated with transmission was a failure to use zidovudine intra-partum in 2 of the 4 mothers (50% versus 6.4% in non-transmitting mothers). A trend toward low CD(4) and high viral load at entry, and rupture of membranes > 4 hours were associated with increased HIV transmission. CONCLUSION: HIV vertical transmission in Brazil was reduced to a level similar to other countries with the most effective prevention programs using a multidisciplinary team approach. A high level of compliance for use of anti-retroviral drugs, the provision of health education to mothers, and use of formula for all exposed infants.

Adolescent↗

The biological sciences in mental health nursing: stakeholders' perspectives.

To date, relatively little attention has been paid to optimizing the development of education programmes to support safe and effective health care professionals. In particular, the wider stakeholders, particularly health service users, are rarely consulted on the knowledge base expected of practitioners. We report here on an evaluation, involving students, lecturers, nurses and service users, aimed at reviewing the bioscience component of the preregistration mental health nursing course. Students and lecturers agreed that the current common foundation course in bioscience was biased towards the adult branch students, and failed to meet the needs of mental health nurses. The mental health lecturers' solution to the 'bioscience problem' was to curtail the input. In contrast, service users described serious shortfalls in professionals' abilities to inform them of common side-effects of medication; these problems were attributable to inadequate educational preparation. The knowledge deficits identified could be rectified by making pharmacology an important part of the mental health education programme. However, for the curriculum to accommodate applied pharmacology, its supporting bioscience, and essential preparation in psychosocial interventions, some restructuring of the biological science programme for mental health nurses will be necessary. Our findings suggest that such restructuring should be informed by service users' views of their needs.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗

Dietary fats influence consumption and metabolic measures in male and female laboratory mice.

Juvenile and adult male and female Swiss mice in metabolism cages were fed one of four specially-formulated, pelleted diets containing respectively 8% saturated vegetable fat, 8% soya oil, 8% olive oil and 2% soya oil. The identities of the diets were hidden from the experimenter. Subjects were individually housed in metabolism cages and their consumption of food, growth and eliminative activities were measured. Clearly, these non-isocaloric diets differed in palatability, producing complex effects on growth as well as metabolic measures. Many indices were influenced by age, sex, and the duration of dietary exposure. Interactions between factors were common. Dietary fats appear to have subtle effects on the physiology and behaviour of rodents and may account for some differences between studies.

Aging↗

[History of the treatment of fractures of the face].

Throughout most of recorded human history, facial fractures have received either no treatment what so ever or only rudimentary surgical attention. The treatment of facial fractures has made more progress over the past two decades than in the entire two millenia before that. The authors describe how facial fractures have been treated since the New Kingdom in Ancient Egypt until today, with the methods of Stable Internal Fixation.

Facial Bones↗

[Obesity in Chilean preschool children: anthropometric evolution and socioeconomic determinants].

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of obesity among low-income preschool children has increased in Chile. AIM: To compare the anthropometric evolution of obese and non obese children from birth and to determine the influence of maternal body composition and socioeconomic variables with childhood obesity. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Using a case control design, 237 obese, 449 normal and 54 overweight 4 year old low income children, attending 8 public outpatient clinics in Santiago, were studied. Anthropometric data since birth to the moment of the study was gathered from the clinical charts at the clinics. RESULTS: Z scores for height/age and weight/height were significantly higher at all ages, excepting height/age in boys at the moment of birth. At the moment of the study, obese and overweight children were four and one cm taller than the normal weight controls. Maternal body mass index (odds ratio 3.07), being a first child, having a working mother, to have a telephone at home and birth weight were the variables significantly associated with obesity, according to an adjusted effects analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The strong association of maternal and offspring obesity implies that the prevention of childhood obesity must consider health actions directed towards mothers as well.

Analysis of Variance↗

Phenotypic and genotypic heterogeneity in familial Milroy lymphedema.

Familial Milroy lymphedema (ML) is classified as an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by peripheral edema of the lower extremities at birth or in early childhood. The variety of phenotypes are not well described, and the genomic location and functional expression of the gene or genes underlying this and related familial lymphedema syndromes remain largely unknown. In this collaborative study between the University of Arizona and the University of São Paulo, we collected clinical pedigrees on 6 ML families, carried out clinical examination of affected and unaffected individuals, and, in representative affected members of two of the families performed dynamic lymphangioscintigraphy (LAS) of the lower and upper limbs to delineate further the ML lymphangiodysplastic phenotype. To localize the gene for ML, we conducted a genome-wide search in 4 of the families using 387 polymorphic dinucleotide-repeat markers at approximate 10 cM spacing in 54 subjects (affected, unaffected bloodline relatives, and spouses). In all 6 families (86 subjects), we specifically examined the suggested linkage to the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C receptor (Flt4) gene localized to the chromosome region 5q34-q35. The findings provide evidence for a spectrum of ML clinical and LAS phenotypes and also suggest ML locus heterogeneity.

Arizona↗

Echinobothrium raschii n. sp. (Cestoda: Diphyllidea) from Rhinoraja longi (Chondrichthyes, Rajoidei) in the Bering Sea.

Echinobothrium raschii n. sp. from the spiral intestine of Rhinoraja longi in the Bering Sea, off the Aleutian Islands of Alaska is described. On the basis of the armature of the rostellum and cephalic peduncle the new species most closely resembles Echinobothrium acanthinophyllum, Echinobothrium acanthocolle, Echinobothrium coronatum and Echinobothrium helmymohamedi. Echinobothrium raschii n. sp. can be differentiated from all but E. coronatum by the possession of a continuous row of 27-36 lateral hooklets per side on the scolex and 21-26 spines per row on the cephalic peduncle. In E. acanthinophyllum there are fewer spines per row on the cephalic peduncle (13) and only 2 groups of 4 lateral hooklets per side instead of a continuous row of lateral hooklets; E. acanthocolle bears only 5 spines per row on the cephalic peduncle and has no lateral hooklets; E. helmymohamedi has 10-12 spines per row on the cephalic peduncle and bears no lateral hooklets. Echinobothrium raschii n. sp. can be distinguished from E. coronatum by number of spines per row on the cephalic peduncle (average 24 vs. 32) and testes number (17-23 vs. 9-11). The combined characters of 2 groups of 23-25 large apical hooks, a continuous alternating row of 27-36 hooklets on each side of the scolex between the groups of large apical hooks, 21-26 spines per row on the cephalic peduncle, and 17-23 testes per segment differentiates E. raschii from all other species of Echinobothrium. The prevalence of infection was 50% and mean intensity of infection was 8.7 worms per host. The current status of the genus Echinobothrium is discussed and a tabulation of the species presented.

Alaska↗

Protective actions of the 5-HT2A/2C receptor agonist, DOI, on 5-HT1A receptor-mediated inhibition of lordosis behavior.

Sexually receptive proestrous rats were infused bilaterally into the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus (VMN) with 200 ng of 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino) tetralin (8-OH-DPAT), 1000 or 2000 ng of 5-methoxy-3-(di-n-propylamino) chroman (5-MEO-DPAC), or 1000 or 2000 ng of serotonin (5-HT) plus or minus the 5-HT2A/2C agonist, (2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-aminopropane HCl (DOI). DOI protected against the lordosis-inhibiting effects of 5-HT and each of the 5-HT1A agonists. These results substantiate a prior report that 2000 ng DOI could protect against the lordosis-inhibiting action of 200 ng 8-OH-DPAT and demonstrate that such protection is not unique to a single 5-HT1A agonist. Consequently, these results strengthen evidence that functionally significant interactions occur among 5-HT receptors within the VMN.

Amphetamines↗