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This study describes the prevalence of infection by Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Trichomonas vaginalis in a female population in Amazonas, Brazil. We collected cervical samples from 361 women examined at 10 primary care health services in the city of Coari, Amazonas, Brazil. The women were interviewed about socio-economic data, clinical history and sexual behaviour. Pelvic examinations were performed and cervical specimens were collected for detection of pathogens by PCR. The prevalence of infection was: 12.7% for Trichomonas vaginalis, 6.4% for Chlamydia trachomatis and 1.4% for Neisseria gonorrhoeae. There were no statistically significant associations between infections by any of the pathogens nor by any pathogen alone with any clinical variable, socio-demographic data or sexual behaviour. This study draws attention to the need for surveillance and possible need for screening for Chlamydia trachomatis, which often progresses asymptomatically. For the significant prevalence found, attention should also be given to asymptomatic infection by Trichomonas vaginalis, since this pathogen has recently been implicated as a risk factor for HIV infection., (© The Author(s) 2014 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.co.uk/journalsPermissions.nav.)

Context: No long-term studies have compared centrally acting drugs for treating obesity., Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of diethylpropion (DEP), fenproporex (FEN), mazindol (MZD), fluoxetine (FXT) and sibutramine (SIB) in promoting weight loss., Design and Setting: A prospective, randomized, placebo (PCB)-controlled study conducted at a single academic institution., Patients: A total of 174 obese premenopausal women., Intervention: Participants randomly received DEP 75 mg (n=28), FEN 25 mg (n=29), MZD 2 mg (n=29), SIB 15 mg (n=30), FXT 20 mg (n=29) or PCB (n=29) daily over 52 weeks. Diet and physical activity were encouraged., Main Outcome Measures: The primary endpoints were changes in body weight and the proportion of women who achieved at least 5% weight loss by week 52 in the intent-to-treat population. Other measurements included anthropometry, safety, metabolic and cardiovascular parameters., Results: Weight loss was greater than PCB (-3.1±4.3 kg) with DEP (-10.0±6.4 kg; P<0.001), SIB (-9.5±5.9 kg; P<0.001), FEN (-7.8±6.9 kg; P<0.01) and MZD (-7.4±4.9 kg; P<0.01) but not with FXT (-2.5±4.1 kg). Ten (33.3%) women lost⩾5% of their initial weight with PCB, compared with 20 (71.4%; P<0.001) with DEP, 20 (69%; P<0.02) with FEN, 21 (72.4%; P<0.01) with MZD, 22 (73.3%; P<0.001) with SIB and 10 (35.5%) with FXT. Each medically treated group experienced more adverse events compared with PCB (P<0.001). Compared with PCB, constipation was more prevalent with DEP, SIB and MZD (P<0.01); anxiety was more prevalent with DEP (P=0.01); and irritability occurred more frequently with DEP and FEN (P=0.02). Significant improvements in the depression and anxiety scores, binge-eating episodes and quality of life correlated with weight loss., Conclusion: The centrally acting drugs DEP, FEN, MZD and SIB were more effective than PCB in promoting weight loss in obese premenopausal women, with a satisfactory benefit-risk profile.

Background: Esophageal involvement by Chagas' disease causes a significative decrease in the number of neurons of the esophageal myenteric plexus, causing an impairment of esophageal motility with the same alterations described in primary esophageal achalasia. There is also a longer duration of pharyngeal transit, which might be consequent of the involvement of the central control of swallowing by the disease, or an adaptation of the pharynx to the difficult bolus transit through the esophagus, which could contribute to the complaint of dysphagia., Methods: We studied, by videofluoroscopy, the sequence and timings of pharyngeal bolus transit in 16 patients with esophageal involvement by Chagas' disease and 12 healthy volunteers. Each subject swallowed in duplicate 5 mL and 10 mL of liquid and paste boluses., Results: There was no difference between Chagas' disease patients and normal volunteers in the sequence and timing of events associated with pharyngeal bolus flow, for liquid and paste boluses, and for 5 mL and 10 mL., Conclusion: The timing and sequence of swallow pharyngeal events of patients with Chagas' disease do not differ from that of control subjects, which suggested that the central control of swallowing is not impaired by the disease.

Renal thioredoxin reductase-1 (TrxR-1) activity is stimulated at lead doses lower than that necessary to inhibit δ-aminolevulinate dehydratase activity (δ-ALA-D), which is a classical early biomarker of lead effects. Thus, we hypothesized that the activity of TrxR-1 could be a more sensitive early indicator of lead effects than is δ-ALA-D. To evaluate this hypothesis, we assessed the blood and renal TrxR-1 activity and its gene expression along with biomarkers of oxidative damage, antioxidant enzyme activities and biomarkers of lead exposure in rats acutely exposed to lead. A histopathological analysis was performed to verify renal damage. The increase in renal TrxR-1 activity paralleled the increase in the blood and renal lead levels at 6, 24 and 48 hr after the exposure to 25 mg/kg lead acetate (p < 0.05), whereas its expression was increased 24 and 48 hr after exposure. These effects were not accompanied by oxidative or tissue damage in the kidneys. Blood TrxR-1 activity was not affected by lead exposure (up to 25 mg/kg). Erythrocyte δ-ALA-D activity was inhibited 6 hr after the exposure to 25 mg/kg lead acetate (p < 0.05) but recovered thereafter. Renal δ-ALA-D activity decreased 24 and 48 hr after the exposure to 25 mg/kg lead acetate. There were no changes in any parameters at lead acetate doses <25 mg/kg. Our results indicate that blood TrxR-1 activity is not a suitable indicator of lead effects. In contrast, the increase in renal TrxR-1 expression and activity is implicated in the early events of lead exposure, most likely as a protective cellular mechanism against lead toxicity., (© 2013 Nordic Association for the Publication of BCPT (former Nordic Pharmacological Society).)

Primary cutaneous lymphomas have different clinical behavior and prognosis than systemic lymphomas of similar histological subtype. About 30% of non-Hodgkin lymphomas involve extranodal tissues, the skin being the second most affected body organ after the gastrointestinal tract (approximately 18%). According to the EORTC (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer) classification, the lymphoma centrofollicular is indolent, since the lesions increase in size slowly over the years and spread to extracutaneous sites is uncommon. Based on this, radiotherapy has been considered the treatment of choice by many studies. We present the case of a patient who had cutaneous centrofollicular scalp lymphoma for 1 year and showed good response to radiotherapy.

Heinrich Koebner (1838-1904) presented in a meeting in 1872 and reported in 1877 the emergence of psoriatic lesions following trauma to healthy skin areas of patients with psoriasis. Since then, the Koebner phenomenon has been the subject of research, as it offers a unique opportunity in the investigation of the disease, especially in experimental studies, when this dermatosis may be observed in all its phases. Establishing the differences between Koebner, Wolf, Renbök, reverse Koebner, pseudo-Koebner phenomena, and pathergy is sometimes unclear. We review the various aspects of the Koebner phenomenon's clinical description and presentation, pathophysiology, histopathology, reverse phenomenon, therapeutic treatments, and prevention., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Giant prolactinomas are an unusual subset of macroprolactinomas and are more commonly found in men. The goal of this review is to propose a giant prolactinoma definition and discuss the available therapeutic options for biochemical and tumour volume control., Methods: A comprehensive search of all published studies was performed between April and November 2012 in electronic databases (PubMed and Ovid)., Results: A giant prolactinoma should be defined as an adenoma with a maximum diameter of more than 4 cm that is associated with serum prolactin above 5300 mIU/l. Regarding treatment, cabergoline is the preferred dopamine agonist for medical management of giant prolactinomas because of its excellent efficacy and tolerability. Normalization of prolactin level and significant tumour reduction may be achieved in the majority of patients. Combined therapy, particularly cabergoline and surgery, may be necessary due to the large tumour load. Radiotherapy and temozolomide may be used for patients with aggressive giant prolactinomas in whom tumour volume control is not achieved with cabergoline and surgery., Conclusion: There is a scarcity of large studies about the management of giant prolactinoma. Cabergoline is the first-line treatment. However, caution should be exercised when comparing efficacy rates among the different treatment modalities due to the variability in study design and data quality. In this scenario, a 'standard' definition for giant prolactinomas and larger series may be helpful to assess the real efficacy and safety of each therapeutic modality., (© 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Objective: To describe changes in oral health-related quality of life and to evaluate the associations of these changes in community-dwelling older people., Materials and Methods: In this longitudinal study a representative sample of 872 older people, living in Brazil, was evaluated during 2004. The follow-up was carried out during 2008, with 587 older persons evaluated. A questionnaire assessing socio-demographic information, health history, oral health-impact profile and number of natural teeth was used. Changes in oral health-related quality of life were categorized as improvement or deterioration. Data analysis was performed using a hierarchical approach based in a conceptual framework. A hierarchal approach was carried out using Poisson regressions., Results: Older persons living in rural areas, those who reported brushing once a day or less and older persons with fewer natural teeth had an increased chance of reporting deterioration in oral health-related quality of life. Women and participants who received a minimum wage of less than US $219.50 were more likely to report improvement in oral health-related quality of life., Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that changes in the oral health-related quality of life are influenced by many of the variables that were included in the conceptual framework., (© 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S and The Gerodontology Society. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: Chagas' disease causes dysphagia, regurgitation and retention of food in the esophageal body. Patients have longer pharyngeal clearance, which might be consequent of the involvement of the central nervous system or an adaptation to the esophageal transit impairment. If there is central nervous system involvement by the disease, we expect a larger difference in the oral and pharyngeal phases of swallowing between two consecutive swallows than that seen in controls. Our objective was to evaluate the difference of oral and pharyngeal transit duration between two consecutive swallows in patients with Chagas' disease compared with controls., Methods: By videofluoroscopy, the duration of oral and pharyngeal transit, pharyngeal clearance, upper esophageal sphincter transit, hyoid movement and oropharyngeal transit was measured in 17 patients with Chagas' disease and 15 asymptomatic volunteers. Each subject swallowed in duplicate and in sequence 5 mL and 10 mL of barium liquid and 5 mL and 10 mL of barium paste boluses. The differences were calculated between the two swallows of each volume and consistency in patients and controls., Results: There were no differences between controls and patients in the values of the differences between the two consecutive swallows, except for the hyoid movement duration of the 5 mL liquid bolus, causing a higher difference in controls than in patients., Conclusion: Oral and pharyngeal transit variation between two consecutive swallows is similar between patients with Chagas' disease and controls, which suggests that the longer pharyngeal clearance duration previously described is not a consequence of impairment of the central nervous system control of swallowing.

This article seeks to describe the viewpoint of purchasing food products from family farmers, analyzing their performance within the new guidelines of the Brazilian School Nutrition Program (PNAE). It is a critical assessment based on a review of the literature and the official data provided by the National Fund for the Development of Education/Ministry of Education relating to 2010. The program budget in 2010 was approximately R$2.5 billion and attended 45.6 million children, adolescents and adults. From the total amount, R$150,397,052.68 was allocated for the purchase of agricultural products from family farmers. In Brazil, 47.4% of the local councils acquired food products from family farmers for the Brazilian School Nutrition Program and the purchase percentage was, on average, 22.7%. Given the nature of recent legislation, other aspects should be explored in order to strengthen the compliance with the regulations in different Brazilian contexts and thus contribute both to local economic development and the provision of school meals which fulfill the principles of a healthy and adequate diet.

Fungi of the Colletotrichum genus are among the most prominent phytopathogens that cause diseases with a considerable economic impact, such as anthracnose. The hemibiotrophic fungus Colletotrichum lindemuthianum (teleomorph Glomerella cingulata f. sp. phaseoli) is the causal agent of the anthracnose of the common bean; and similarly to other phytopathogens, it uses multiple strategies to gain access to different carbon sources from its host. In this study, we examine mfs1, a newly identified C. lindemuthianum hexose transporter. The mfs1 gene is expressed only during the necrotrophic phase of the fungus' interaction within the plant and allows it to utilize the available sugars during this phase. The deletion of mfs1 gene resulted in differential growth of the fungus in a medium that contained glucose, mannose or fructose as the only carbon source. This study is the first to describe a hexose transporter in the hemibiotrophic pathogen C. lindemuthianum and to demonstrate the central role of this protein in capturing carbon sources during the necrotrophic development of the plant/pathogen interaction.

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) in a women population living within the state of Amazonas, Brazil, and to determine the viral genotypes found. The study included 361 sexually active women over 18 years of age. We performed the Pap test and the molecular diagnosis for HPV DNA using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The amplicons obtained were sequenced in automatic sequencer for genotyping. The presence of HPV DNA was found in 29.1% (105) of the women. Only 321 women presented satisfactory slides for cytological diagnosis, 97.9% (314) had normal cytology (negative for cancer), and 2.1% (7) had abnormal cytology (4 ASCUS, 1 LSIL, and 2 HSIL). The types more frequently found were HPV 16 (58.1%) and HPV 58 (20.0%). Additionally, we found more 13 types of HPV. Compared with previous studies in Brazil, our data confirmed a high prevalence and genotypic diversity of HPV in Brazilian women.

Objective: to evaluate the average resulting area from the Pressure x Time curves resulting from the manometric anorectal exam and compare it with the support capacity of voluntary squeeze., Materials and Methods: the data set was represented by data from 11 exams from continent patients and eight exams from patients with grade III fecal incontinence. The manometric curves were delineated, and the areas and support capacity of voluntary squeeze calculated, by means of the R computer language and the algorithm developed., Results: the resulting averages for support capacity of voluntary squeeze in continent patients and patients with grade III fecal incontinence were 33.07 seconds and 30.76 seconds (p>0.05) and the averages for area were 2362.04 mmHg x second and 947.92 mmHg x second (p<0.05), respectively., Conclusion: the average resulting area is able to differentiate continent patients from incontinent and is shown to be a possible parameter in the analysis of biomechanical behavior related to the mechanisms of anorectal continence.

This study aims to evaluate the aromatic profile of fermented apple, obtained by the action of strains of Hanseniaspora uvarum and Hanseniaspora guilliermondii using two methods of analysis: static headspace and solid phase microextraction (SPME). The results obtained confirm that the strains of the Hanseniaspora genus contributed positively to the aroma profile of fermented apple, producing considerable amounts of esters and higher alcohols. In comparing the methods of analysis of aromatic compounds using headspace and SPME, it was verified that by using the headspace method it was possible to capture amounts that were up to 16 times greater than the value of the volatile compounds obtained by SPME. However, when using SPME, 5 times more compounds were obtained than when using headspace. Even so, in the conditions of this study it was noted that headspace was more efficient in the extraction of the aromatics of fermented apple when taking into consideration the cost effectiveness of both methods.

Eu(III), the last piece in the puzzle: Europium-induced self-assembly of ligands having a C(3)-symmetrical benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxamide core results in the formation of luminescent gels. Supramolecular polymers are formed through hydrogen bonding between the ligands. The polymers are then brought together into the gel assembly through the coordination of terpyridine ends by Eu(III) ions (blue dashed arrow: distance between two ligands in the strand direction)., (Copyright © 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Therapy with dopamine agonists has been associated with valvular heart disease (VHD) in Parkinson's disease, raising concern about the safety of these drugs. In hyperprolactinemic patients, the studies have mainly focused on the cardiac effects of cabergoline (CBG), with little information on bromocriptine (BRC). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of VHD in patients with prolactinomas treated with CBG and BRC. The CBG group consisted of 51 patients (37 female; age 42.3 ± 13.5 years) who had been taking CBG for at least 1 year (mean 37.8 ± 21.3 months; cumulative doses 16-1,286.8 mg). The BRC group consisted of 19 patients (14 female; age 41.8 ± 11.5 years) who were on BRC for at least 1 year (mean 54.8 ± 30.2 months; cumulative doses 4,687.5-23,478.8 mg). The controls (CTR) were 59 healthy subjects matched for age, sex, and prevalence of arterial hypertension. Participants were subjected to transthoracic echocardiography and the valvular regurgitation was graduated as absent (grade 0), trace (1), mild (2), moderate (3) or severe (4). Compared to CTR, trace mitral (Mi) regurgitation (49% vs. 27.1%; P = 0.02), trace tricuspid (Tri) regurgitation (45.1% vs. 20.3%; P = 0.0003) and mild Tri regurgitation (7.8% vs. 0%; P = 0.0003) were more prevalent with CBG, while trace Tri regurgitation (73.7% vs. 20.3%; P = 0.0004) were more prevalent with BRC. Mitral tenting area was significantly higher in CBG than in BRC and CTR. None of the valvar abnormalities was associated with symptoms. In conclusion, patients with prolactinomas treated with either CBG or BRC showed higher prevalence of trace and mild Tri or Mi regurgitation, but these findings were not clinically significant.

This paper deals with the determination of the fourteen naturally occurring elements of the lanthanide series in red wine. Ultrasound (US) was used for sample preparation prior lanthanides determination using ICP-MS. Flow injection (FI) and pneumatic nebulization/aerosol desolvation were used for nebulization of aliquots of 50 μL of sample and its subsequent transportation to plasma. Sample preparation procedures, matrix interference and time of sonication were evaluated. Better results for lanthanides in red wine were obtained by sonication with US probe for 90 s and sample 10-fold diluted. The limits of detection of La, Ce, Nd, Sm, Gd, Pr, Eu, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Lu and Yb were 6.57, 10.8, 9.97, 9.38, 2.71, 1.29, 1.22, 0.52, 2.35, 0.96, 2.30, 0.45, 0.24 and 1.35 ng L(-1), respectively. Red wines of different varieties from three countries of South America were discriminated according to the country of origin by means of multivariate analysis of lanthanides concentration., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Penicillium corylophilum isolated from mosquitoes was cultivated in liquid media leading to the first reported identification of citrinin (1a) as one metabolic component of this fungus. The produced amount of 1a indicated this compound as the most abundant secondary metabolite of this fungus. Stressing the culture of P. corylophilum with the presence of the antagonistic fungus Beauveria bassiana increased in 65% the production of 1a. Similar results were obtained with the presence of other fungi in the culture media, indicating that citrinin is the main defence metabolite of P. corylophilum. In agreement with this conclusion, citrinin showed a reasonable fungicidal activity against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and B. bassiana.

Dysphagia is the most common digestive symptom reported by patients with Chagas' disease. The condition results from abnormalities of esophageal motility. Our hypothesis is that there are also alterations of oral and pharyngeal transit during swallowing. We studied by videofluoroscopy the oral and pharyngeal transit during swallowing in 17 patients with dysphagia, a positive serologic test for Chagas' disease, and radiologic demonstration of esophageal involvement. The study also included 15 asymptomatic healthy volunteers. Each subject swallowed in duplicate 5 and 10 ml of liquid and paste barium boluses. Chagas' disease patients had a longer oropharyngeal transit with the 5-ml liquid bolus (p = 0.03), and a longer oral transit (p = 0.01) and pharyngeal transit (p = 0.04) with the 10-ml liquid bolus than controls. There was no difference between patients and controls with swallows of the 5-ml paste bolus. With swallows of the 10-ml paste bolus, the oropharyngeal transit (p = 0.05), pharyngeal transit (p = 0.04), pharyngeal clearance (p = 0.02), and UES opening (p = 0.01) took a longer amount of time in Chagas' disease patients than in controls. We conclude that the duration of pharyngeal transit is longer in patients with Chagas' disease than in normal subjects, especially with a bolus of pasty consistency and a volume of 10 ml.

The synthesis and binding investigations of first generation C(3v)-symmetrical hydrogen bonding urea-amide based tripodal receptors, 1-6, with various anions such as acetate, phosphate, sulfate and chloride in DMSO-d(6) are presented. Analysis of the (1)H NMR titrations of 1-6 showed on all occasions the selective formation of 1 : 1 stoichiometries.

We investigated the antioxidant potential of gallic acid (GA), a natural compound found in vegetal sources, on the motor and oxidative damages induced by lead. Rats exposed to lead (50 mg/kg, i.p., once a day, 5 days) were treated with GA (13.5mg/kg, p.o.) or EDTA (110 mg/kg, i.p.) daily, for 3 days. Lead exposure decreased the locomotor and exploratory activities, reduced blood ALA-D activity, and increased brain catalase (CAT) activity without altering other antioxidant defenses. Brain oxidative stress (OS) estimated by lipid peroxidation (TBARS) and protein carbonyl were increased by lead. GA reversed the motor behavior parameters, the ALA-D activity, as well as the markers of OS changed by lead exposure. CAT activity remained high, possibly as a compensatory mechanism to eliminate hydroperoxides during lead poisoning. EDTA, a conventional chelating agent, was not beneficial on the lead-induced motor behavior and oxidative damages. Both GA (less) and EDTA (more) reduced the lead accumulation in brain tissue. Negative correlations were observed between the behavioral parameters and lipid peroxidation and the lead levels in brain tissue. In conclusion, GA may be an adjuvant in lead exposure, mainly by its antioxidant properties against the motor and oxidative damages resulting from such poisoning., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: To determine whether positive self-perceived oral health is associated with sociodemographic health variables, with an emphasis on resilience, in community-dwelling older adults in southern Brazil., Design: Cross-sectional study nested within a cohort study., Setting: Carlos Barbosa in southern Brazil., Participants: Four hundred ninety-six community-dwelling adults aged 64 and older., Measurements: Sociodemographic information, a health history, and health perceptions were assessed using a structured questionnaire. Resilience was assessed using a resilience scale. For each participant, a brief oral examination was performed to assess number of teeth. Positive self-perceived oral health was the outcome of interest., Results: A final, fully adjusted Poisson regression model showed that high resilience potential (prevalence ratio (PR)=1.18, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.06-1.32), income (PR=1.18, 95% CI=1.07-1.30), and no reported change in diet because of dental problems (PR=1.34, 95% CI=1.13-1.60) were associated with positive self-perceived oral health. Participants living in rural areas were less likely to report positive self-perceived oral health (PR=0.83, 95% CI=0.75-0.93)., Conclusion: Using a hierarchical approach, positive self-perceived oral health was found to be associated with several variables included in the conceptual framework of oral health outcomes, such as resilience. Resilience may act as a potentiating agent in the positive adaptation to tooth loss., (© 2011, Copyright the Authors. Journal compilation © 2011, The American Geriatrics Society.)

Background: This study investigated the performance of patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) without dementia for incidental recognition memory and the effect of encoding strategies on contextual memory., Methods: The authors studied 21 patients with PD (ages 60-85, 12 women; Hoehn and Yahr I-III, Activities of Daily Living 70%-100%) and 22 healthy controls (ages 60-84, 18 women). Participants completed the vocabulary subtest of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST). To assess the incidental recognition memory for item (object) and context (location of the object), participants of each group were assigned to 1 of 2 encoding conditions: ( a) an incidental associative instruction to bind the object to its location or (b) a nonassociative, nonspecific instruction., Results: PD patients showed performance comparable to the control group's on the vocabulary subtest and WCST. In contrast to controls, PD patients were unable to take advantage of the associative encoding instruction, which also had a deleterious effect on item recognition., Conclusion: This sample of participants with PD showed diminished item and context recognition memory and an impaired ability to use incidental memory encoding strategy, suggesting a compromised cognitive reserve. The fact that these alterations occurred in early stages of PD, and prior to more general cognitive alterations such as executive dysfunction, should be considered in the management of patients by using specific cognitive rehabilitation interventions.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate if socio-demographic, behaviour and health variables are risk indicators for denture-related stomatitis in community-dwelling older adults from Carlos Barbosa, Brazil., Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 872 subjects aged 60 years or more were evaluated. Data collection included dental examinations and questionnaires to assess socio-demographic, behaviour, general and oral health data. All questionnaires and examinations were carried out during 2004. Associations between the independent variables and the outcomes 'prevalence of denture stomatitis' or 'prevalence of granular stomatitis' were adjusted by means of multivariate logistic regressions., Results: Participants with denture stomatitis were significantly more likely to be females, to display increased amounts of plaque, and significantly less likely to visit the dentist for treatment. Participants with granular stomatitis were significantly more likely to be females and participants with granular stomatitis were significantly more likely to be females, aged 70 years or more and current smokers. In addition, participants with granular stomatitis displayed increased amounts of plaque., Conclusion: The data presented here confirms the central role of denture biofilm accumulation in denture stomatitis. It also indicates that smoking may increase susceptibility to infection in its most severe form.

Bovine herpesvirus type 5 (BoHV-5) is the agent of meningoencephalitis, an important disease of cattle in South America. The neuropathogenesis of BoHV-5 infection is poorly understood and most previous research focused on the role of envelope glicoproteins in neurovirulence. Thymidine kinase (TK) is a viral enzyme necessary for virus replication in neurons and, therefore, represents a potential target for virus attenuation. The selection and characterization of BoHV-5 variants resistant to the nucleoside analog brivudin (BVDU), which selects TK-defective viruses is here described. Several BVDU-resistant clones were obtained after multiple passages in tissue culture in the presence of BVDU and one clone (BoHV-5/R-27) was further characterized. The selected clone replicated to similar titers and produced plaques with similar size and morphology to those of wild-type virus (SV507/99). The genetic stability of the resistant virus was demonstrated after ten passages in cell culture in the absence of the drug. Moreover, the drug-resistant virus showed reduced virulence in a rabbit model: virus inoculation in four rabbits did not result in disease, in contrast with 75% morbidity (3/4) and 50% mortality (2/2) among rabbits inoculated with the parental virus. These results demonstrate that BoHV-5 is sensitive to BVDU and that drug-resistant mutants can be readily selected upon BVDU treatment. BVDU-resistant mutants, likely defective in TK, retained their ability to replicate in tissue culture yet were attenuated for rabbits. This strategy to obtain TK-defective BoHV-5 may be useful to study the role of TK in BoHV-5 neuropathogenesis and for vaccine development.

Acromegalic patients have an increased prevalence of prostatic disorders compared to age-matched healthy subjects. Increased size of the whole prostate or the transitional zone, together with an elevated incidence of other structural changes, such as nodules, cysts, and calcifications, have been reported. Prostate enlargement in young acromegalic patients with low testosterone levels due to central hypogonadism supports the hypothesis that chronic GH and IGF-I excess cause prostate hyperplasia. The relationship between prostatic carcinoma and acromegaly is, until now, only circumstantial. Long-term follow-up of these patients is necessary since epidemiologic studies showed association between serum IGF-I levels in the upper normal limit and prostate cancer in the general population. This review approaches prostate diseases in patients with acromegaly.

There are data suggesting that women swallow liquids at a lower flow rate and ingest smaller volumes in each swallow than men. Our objective in this work was to compare swallowing in asymptomatic men and women by videofluoroscopy. We studied 18 men [age = 33-77 years, mean = 61 (10) years] and 12 women [age = 29-72 years, mean = 53 (15) years] who swallowed in duplicate 5 and 10 ml of liquid and paste barium boluses. None of the volunteers had dysphagia, neurologic diseases, or oral, pharyngeal, or esophageal diseases. The videofluoroscopic examination showed that for the 5-ml bolus, women had a longer oropharyngeal transit [liquid: men, 0.63 (0.21) s, women, 0.88 (0.39) s; paste: men, 0.64 (0.35) s, women, 0.94 (0.58) s], longer oral transit [liquid: men, 0.41 (0.21) s, women, 0.59 (0.35) s; paste: men, 0.39 (0.28) s, women, 0.59 (0.42) s], and longer pharyngeal clearance [liquid: men, 0.36 (0.11) s, women, 0.45 (0.16) s; paste: men, 0.42 (0.25) s, women, 0.56 (0.27) s] compared with men (p < 0.05). We conclude that there are differences in swallowing between men and women, with women having a longer oropharyngeal transit than men for a 5-ml bolus.

A cyclen based lanthanide luminescent sensor, , has been developed by taking advantage of a combination of hydrogen bonding and f-metal ion coordination binding sites for anionic species. Analysis of the ground state, the emission from the singlet and the Tb(iii) excited states clearly show the ability of the Tb(iii) complex to signal the presence of anions in CH(3)CN, through multiple binding interactions consisting of hydrogen bonding and metal coordination. The delayed lanthanide luminescence from the Tb(iii) diaryl-urea complex was found to be significantly enhanced only upon recognition of H(2)PO(4)(-), at the same time as displaying good selectivity over other competitive anions, such as CH(3)COO(-).

The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the regional distribution pattern and relative frequency of some endocrine cells in the three portions of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT)--the proventriculus, gizzard and duodenum- of the rufous-collared sparrow (Zonotrichia capensis subtorquata), by immunohistochemical methods using six types of polyclonal antisera, specific for serotonin (5-HT), somatostatin (D cells), glucagon, motilin, polypeptide YY (PYY) and insulin. In the proventriculus, endocrine cells immunoreactive for all of these markers were observed. The somatostatin-immunoreactive cells were found with greater frequency, with the presence of cytoplasmic processes. In the gizzard, endocrine cells secreting somatostatin, 5-HT and PYY were detected, while those secreting glucagon and insulin were not. In the final part of the gizzard, endocrine cells secreting 5-HT were more frequent, and cells secreting somatostatin and insulin were not detected. All of the cell types studied were observed in the duodenum in different frequencies, except for cells immunoreactive for glucagon and insulin. The somatostatin-positive (D cells) were the most numerous, being more prevalent in the intestinal glands. The other endocrine cells were identified in smaller numbers, some of them located in the intestinal villi and Lieberkuhn glands. The finding of these cell types in the duodenum confirms their preferential location in the final portions of the principal segments of the digestive system and suggests control by feedback of its functions. In conclusion, some interesting distributional patterns of gastrointestinal endocrine cells were found in this species of sparrow.

The design, synthesis, and X-ray crystallographic analysis of three simple diaryl-urea based anion receptors possessing an amide moiety on one of the aryl groups, and an electron withdrawing CF(3) group on the other, is described. The three receptors differ only in the position of the amide functionality relative to the hydrogen bonding urea moiety (being para, meta, and ortho for 1, 2, and 3, respectively). This simple modification was shown to have a significant effect on the anion recognition ability, the strength of the recognition process, and the stoichiometry (host/guest) for these sensors. We demonstrate, by using both UV-vis absorption and (1)H NMR spectroscopy, that these factors are caused by the ability of the amide moiety to both modulate the anion binding selectivity and the sensitivity of the urea moiety. We also demonstrate that, in the case of 1 and 2, this anion recognition at the urea moiety leads to concomitant activation (through enhanced inductive effect) in the amide functionality toward anions, which leads to the formation of an overall 1:2 (sensor/anion) binding stoichiometry for these receptors. This "activation" we describe as being an example of a "positive allosteric activation" by the urea site, caused directly by the first anion binding interaction, which to the best of our knowledge, has not been previously demonstrated for anion recognition and sensing.

The purpose of the present study was to examine the serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT), gastrin (GAS), cholecystokinin (CCK) and glucagon (GLUC) endocrine cells in the gastrointestinal tract of frugivorous Phillostomidae bats, Sturnira lilium and Artibeus cinerius, to clarify the correlation between distribution of cell types and their relative frequency, with feeding habits. Five portions of the gastrointestinal tract--fundus, pilorus, and three parts of the intestine, I, II and III--were examined. Most of the immunoreactive cells in the stomach and intestine were of triangular, oval or piriform shape. Serotonin-immunoreactive cells were most commonly found in the S. lilium intestine I (66.6+/-9.9) and the A. cinerius intestine III (35+/-18). Gastrin-immunoreactive cells were the most abundant cell type in the pyloric glands of both species. They were more numerous in A. cinerius (126.9+/-27.4) than in S. lilium (75.8+/-1.8). CCK-immunoreactive cells were found in the alimentary tract epithelia at moderate frequencies in both species. GLUC-immunoreactive cells were detected at very low or low frequencies. This study suggests that there is a correlation between endocrine cell distribution and frequency, and the feeding habits of the bats.

The delayed lanthanide luminescence of the terbium [Tb(III)] diaryl-urea complex 1xTb is significantly enhanced upon sensing of dihydrogenphosphate (H2PO4(-)) in CH3CN, which occurs through multiple anion binding through hydrogen bonding interactions and potential metal ion coordination to Tb(III).

The synthesis and the photophysical evaluation of a novel pH dependent lanthanide luminescent self-assembly in water between a cyclen based europium complex and a beta-diketonate is described and its use as a luminescent sensor in displacement assays for anions such as acetate, bicarbonate and lactate, where the Eu(III) emission was quenched upon anion recognition.

The aim of this research was to verify the incidence of endocrine dysfunction associated with mercury intoxication in the hypothalamus-pituitary reproductive system of normally cycling or castrated female rats and the possible protective action of estrogen replacement therapy. We found no differences in the frequency of estrus cycle stages (diestrus I, diestrus II, proestrus, and estrus) in normally cycling female rats during 54 days of daily oral administration of 0.004, 0.02, and 1 mg/kg MeHgCl. Conversely, the higher dose (1 mg/kg) induced a significant decrease in content of luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) into the medial hypothalamus when administered daily during 3 days in ovariectomized rats. This effect was associated with increased levels of mercury found in the anterior pituitary gland and medial hypothalamus, rather than the anterior and posterior hypothalamus, striatum or cerebellum. A decrease in plasma levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) was also detected after administration of 7.5 mg/kg MeHgCl. These disturbances in LHRH and LH secretion induced by mercury were abolished or superimposed (respectively) by estrogenic replacement therapy (0.025 mg/kg 17beta estradiol cypionate, intramuscular). These effects were associated with a significant reduction in mercury content of the anterior pituitary gland and medial hypothalamus, suggesting a protective estrogenic effect.

Background and Objectives: Guillain-Barré syndrome following measles vaccination is uncommon. Diagnosis is often delayed, leading to increased morbidity. This report describes an advanced Guillain-Barré case and the special approaches required during anesthesia., Case Report: Male patient, four years old, with Guillain-Barré syndrome diagnosed at 1 year of age, submitted to gastrostomy under uneventful general anesthesia with sevoflurane, without neuromuscular blockers., Conclusions: The case highlights the low frequency with which this syndrome so important for anesthetic practice is diagnosed, post-vaccination adverse events, the best choice for the anesthetic team and complications of pediatric Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Focal epithelial hyperplasia (FEH) is a rare infection caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) types 13 or 32 believed to infect exclusively oral mucosa. This report illustrates a case of multiple conjunctival papillomas similar to oral FEH caused by HPV-13, consisting in the first description of its infection outside the oral mucosa in a healthy patient.

The factors that make difficult the normalization of TSH in hypothyroidism need special attention because some patients on thyroxine replacement do not maintain a normal TSH. We report a 50 year-old woman with autoimmune hypothyroidism of difficult compensation, associated with anemia, hypocalcemia with a previous episode of tetany, hypomagnesemia, psychologic alterations and important weight loss. After compensation of the hypothyroidism with doses of L-thyroxine as high as 325 microg/day, the hypothesis of a malabsorptive syndrome was raised. Celiac disease was confirmed by elevated serum antigliadin antibody. A gluten-free diet was instituted which improved the symptoms associated with malabsorption and reduced the L-thyroxine requirement to 125 microg/day. Because several studies have shown an association of both diseases, a routine screening for celiac disease has been widely proposed in patients with autoimmune thyroid disease.

This mini review highlights the synthesis and photophysical evaluation of anion sensors, for nonaqueous solutions, that have been developed in our laboratories over the last few years. We have focused our research mainly on developing fluorescent photoinduced electron transfer (PET) sensors based on the fluorophore-spacer-anion receptor principle using several anthracene (emitting in the blue) and 1,8-naphthalimide (emitting in the green) fluorophores, with the aim of targeting biologically and industrially relevant anions such as acetates, phosphate and amino acids, as well as halides such as fluoride. The receptors and the fluorophore are separated by a short methyl or ethyl spacer, where the charge neutral anion receptors are either aliphatic or aromatic urea (or thiourea) moieties. For these, the anion recognition is through hydrogen bonding, yielding anion:receptor complexes. Such bonding gives rise to enhanced reduction potential in the receptor moieties which causes enhancement in the rate of PET quenching of the fluorophore excited state from the anion:receptor moiety. This design can be further elaborated on by incorporating either two fluorophores, or urea/thiourea receptors into the sensor structures, using anthracene as a fluorophore. For the latter design, the sensors were designed to achieve sensing of bis-anions, such as di-carboxylates or pyrophosphate, where the anion bridged the anthracene moiety. In the case of the naphthalimide based mono-receptor based PET sensors, it was discovered that in DMSO the sensors were also susceptible to deprotonation by anions such as F(-) at high concentrations. This led to substantial changes in the absorption spectra of these sensors, where the solution changed colour from yellow/green to deep blue, which was clearly visible to the naked eye. Hence, some of the examples presented can act as dual fluorescent-colorimetric sensors for anions. Further investigations into this phenomenon led to the development of simple colorimetric sensors for fluorides, which upon exposure to air, were shown to fix carbon dioxide as bicarbonate.

R. brethesi is a sylvatic species from the Amazon region; it has been incriminated as responsible for the transmission of Chagas disease in collectors of piacaba in this region. The aim of present study was to investigate the efficiency of these insects as potential vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi. Aspects related with feeding and defecation patterns, life time, and mortality had been observed in each instar of R. brethesi. We use 5th instar nymphs to get adults virgins, after the moulting 3 groups with 6 females and 2 males each were created to obtain eggs. After hatching, 1st instar nymphs had been weighed and kept in bottles until the next moult. Insects were fed once a week in mice. Results showed that the average period of incubation was 17 days, the number of blood meal was increasing from the 1st to the 5th instar nymph with 7 (average) to become adult, a significative numbers of the defecations occurring immediately after the bloodmeals. The total percentual of mortality was 16%. This results suggests that this species presents a good exploitation of blood meals and a brief nymphal development in laboratory conditions reflecting its behavior in sylvatic environments.

The subfamily Triatominae is actually represented by 137 species distributed among 6 tribes and 19 genera. Within this subfamily, the genus Panstrongylus, Berg 1879, is composed by 13 species widespread in sylvatic, peridomestic, and domestic habitats of Neotropical regions. These species are vectors of Chagas disease and consequently are found associated with its main hosts, such as birds and mammals. Interest in species of this genus has been increasing in the last few years. Reports of several authors indicate these Triatominae to invade and colonize houses, increasing their epidemiological significance. Morphometry was used in this study to investigate correlations among possible closely related species. We measured 224 specimens among 13 species through a set of metric variables of the head. The results indicated that the genus Panstrongylus seems to be homogeneous since 10 of the 14 species were shown to be closely related.

In recent years, single crystal Cu-Al-Ni alloys with shape memory behavior (SMB) became generally commercialized. They achieved the level of extended application, including upper limb human prosthesis with anthropomorphic characteristics. An actuator based in single crystal Cu-Al-Ni alloy was tested as a prototype for prosthetic actuators. Their thermal cycle times remarkably define the actuator dynamics and the idea of preheating to reduce its response time was tested. To elaborate the heating conditions, the chemical composition of martensitic and austenitic single crystals, Cu-Al-Ni alloy samples were examined. The dynamic response of a martensitic actuator made with SMB and the power consumed with preheating was analyzed. It demonstrates that the presence of more elements in alloys may be fundamental to displace the heating diagram and to reduce the power consumed.

Inborn errors of metabolism (IEM) are a relevant cause of morbidity and death among children, and neonates in particular. However, little is known about the prevalence of these disorders in Brazilian newborns. Our laboratory of IEM (LABEIM) at the Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), has been working on the diagnosis of IEM since 1988. Out of 3,300 patients (90% children), screened and evaluated from 1989 to 2,000 because of a high clinical suspicion of having an IEM, 323 (9.8%) were neonates. Patients came from different regions of the state of Rio de Janeiro, in which lives approximately 8.5% of the total Brazilian population. Chemical tests, various chromatographic techniques and enzyme assays were performed in urine, plasma and in some cases, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). This study describes our laboratory and the experience with the 323 investigated neonates, among which 28 cases (8.7%) of IEM were identified and 18 (5.6%), strongly suspected. All these cases were related mainly to the metabolism of amino acids, organic acids, lysosomal enzymes and carbohydrates. Furthermore, data on population, community and health services are presented.

In the coarctation hypertension model, we have shown that chronic treatment with losartan causes both normalization of impaired reflex control of heart rate and partial correction of the depressed aortic nerve activity/pressure relationship, even with the persistence of hypertension. In the present study, we analyzed the effects of angiotensin II blockade on the efferent pathways of coarcted and sham-operated groups treated chronically with vehicle or losartan (10 mg/kg per day PO). Hypertension was induced by subdiaphragmatic aortic coarctation, and the treatments lasted 9 days (4 control and 5 experimental days). On day 5, autoregressive power spectral analysis was performed on heart rate recordings made in conscious rats. Other groups were used for sympathetic splanchnic nerve activity recordings made simultaneously with pressure (anesthetized rats) at basal condition and during loading/unloading of baroreceptors. Losartan treatment induced a significant reduction in basal pressure but did not interfere with the development of hypertension (similar pressure increases of 24% and 28% over control values in losartan and vehicle groups, respectively). In vehicle-treated rats, establishment of hypertension was accompanied by a marked change in power spectral density from high- (1.19+/-0.06 Hz, 33+/-6%) to low-frequency components (0,42+/-0.03 Hz, 54+/-6%), with increased low-frequency-to-high-frequency ratio. When compared with sham-operated vehicle-treated rats, there was also increase in the gain of sympathetic activity/pressure relationship, with displacement of lower plateau toward high levels of sympathetic activity. No changes in the power spectral density and sympathetic activity/pressure relationship were observed when hypertension developed in the presence of chronic angiotensin type 1 (AT(1)) receptor blockade. The data suggest that angiotensin II, activated during the establishment of coarctation hypertension, acts via AT(1) receptors to alter sympathovagal balance, facilitating the sympathetic outflow to heart and peripheral circulation during baroreceptors unloading. Data also indicate that the observed effects are not conditioned by preexisting pressure levels.

The ubiquitin-proteasome system is required in growth hormone receptor (GHR) endocytosis. For cytokine receptors, which lack intrinsic tyrosine kinase activity, signal transduction is initiated by the activation of a member of the Janus kinase (JAK) family. Previously, we have shown that GHR and JAK2 tyrosine (de) phosphorylation are regulated via the ubiquitin system. In this study, we examined the role of JAK2-mediated signal transduction in GHR internalization and down-regulation. Mutation of the attachment site for JAK2, box-1, in the GHR cytoplasmic tail resulted in the complete absence of GHR and JAK2 phosphorylation. This modification did not alter the rate and extent of receptor-bound growth hormone internalization as compared with a functional GHR, nor did it change its turnover and transport to the plasma membrane. In addition, the receptor was still normally ubiquitinated and remained dependent on both an intact ubiquitin system and proteasomal action for its internalization. Thus, GHR ubiquitination, endocytosis, and degradation occur independently of GHR signal transduction via JAK2. We conclude that whereas endocytosis and degradation require the ubiquitin system, they are independent of GHR signal transduction.

The ubiquitin-proteasome pathway acts as a regulator of the endocytosis of selected membrane proteins. Recent evidence suggests that it may also function in the intracellular trafficking of membrane proteins. In this study, several models were used to address the role of the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway in sorting of internalized proteins to the lysosome. We found that lysosomal degradation of ligands, which remain bound to their receptors within the endocytic pathway, is blocked in the presence of specific proteasome inhibitors. In contrast, a ligand that dissociates from its receptor upon endosome acidification is degraded under the same conditions. Quantitative electron microscopy showed that neither the uptake nor the overall distribution of the endocytic marker bovine serum albumin-gold is substantially altered in the presence of a proteasome inhibitor. The data suggest that the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway is involved in an endosomal sorting step of selected membrane proteins to lysosomes, thereby providing a mechanism for regulated degradation.

The growth hormone receptor (GHR) intracellular domain contains all of the information required for signal transduction as well as for endocytosis. Previously, we showed that the proteasome mediates the clathrin-mediated endocytosis of the GHR. Here, we present evidence that the proteasomal inhibitor MG132 prolongs the GH-induced activity of both GHR and JAK2, presumably through stabilization of GHR and JAK2 tyrosine phosphorylation. If proteasomal inhibitor was combined with ligand in an endocytosis-deficient GHR mutant, the same phenomenon occurred indicating that proteasomal action on tyrosine dephosphorylation is independent of endocytosis. Experiments with a GHR-truncated tail mutant (GHR-(1-369)) led to a prolonged JAK2 phosphorylation caused by the loss of a phosphatase-binding site. This raised the question of what happens to the signal transduction of the GHR after its internalization. Co-immunoprecipitation of GH.GHR complexes before and after endocytosis showed that JAK2 as well as other activated proteins are bound to the GHR not only at the cell surface but also intracellularly, suggesting that the GHR signal transduction continues in endosomes. Additionally, these results provide evidence that GHR is present in endosomes both in its full-length and truncated form, indicating that the receptor is down-regulated by the proteasome.

The ubiquitin conjugation system is involved in ligand-induced endocytosis of the growth hormone receptor (GHR) via a cytosolic 10-amino acid ubiquitin-dependent endocytosis motif. Herein, we demonstrate that the proteasome is also involved in growth hormone receptor down-regulation. Ligand-induced degradation was blocked in the presence of specific proteasomal inhibitors. In addition, growth hormone (GH) internalization was inhibited, whereas the transferrin receptor cycle remained unaffected. A truncated GHR entered the cells independent of proteasome action. In addition, we show that GH internalization is independent of the presence of lysine residues in the cytosolic domain of the receptor, whereas its internalization can still be inhibited by proteasomal inhibitors. Thus, GHR internalization requires proteasome action in addition to an active ubiquitin conjugation system, but ubiquitination of the GHR itself seems not to be required.

In this study we have identified the presence of a high-affinity binding site for calcium in the lipase from Staphylococcus hyicus. By means of isothermal titration calorimetry we showed that the enzyme binds one calcium per molecule of enzyme with a dissociation constant of 55 microM. The residual activity of the apoenzyme compared to the activity in the presence of calcium ions varies from 65% at 10 degreesC to nearly zero at 40 degreesC. On the basis of primary sequence alignment with other staphylococcal lipases and the lipases from Bacillus thermocatenulatus and from Pseudomonas glumae in combination with site-directed mutagenesis, aspartates 354 and 357 could be identified as calcium ligands. Kinetic measurements with the D357E variant showed that replacement of Asp357 by a glutamate decreased the affinity for calcium ions 30-fold. Introduction of a lysine, an asparagine, or an alanine at position 357 and of a lysine or an asparagine at position 354 resulted in calcium-independent variants. Isothermal titration calorimetry confirmed the loss of calcium binding. Although the D357K, D357N, and D357A variants did not bind calcium, at room temperature they were nearly as active as wild-type lipase in the presence of calcium, but at elevated temperatures these calcium-independent lipases showed a reduced activity. Over the whole temperature range the activities of the D354K and D354N variants are significantly lower than wild-type enzyme in the presence of calcium and are comparable to the activity of the wild-type apoenzyme. Our results show that binding of calcium is important for the structural stabilization of staphylococcal lipases (and possibly other lipases) and that it is possible to engineer calcium-independent variants on the basis of limited structural homology with another lipase.

In the chronic phase of coarctation hypertension (CH) we have shown both reduction in baroreceptor sensitivity (Hypertension. 1992;19[suppl II]:II-198-II-201.) and normalization of the depressed baroreceptor reflex control of heart rate, even with the persistence of hypertension in losartan-treated animals (Am J Physiol. 1995;269:H812-H818). In the present study we analyzed the effects of angiotensin II blockade on afferent aortic nerve activity of CH and sham-operated groups treated chronically with vehicle or losartan (10 mg/kg per day p.o.). CH was induced by subdiaphragmatic aortic coarctation, and the treatments lasted 8 days (4 control and 4 experimental days). Aortic pressure (conscious rats) and aortic nerve activity simultaneous to pressure (anesthetized rats) were recorded on the fourth day of the experimental period. Losartan-treated rats showed reduced tail pressure (104+/-3 versus 117+/-3 mm Hg in the vehicle group). In both groups, aortic coarctation caused a significant increase in pressure (25% and 28%, respectively) and a depression of the aortic nerve activity/pressure relationship when compared with sham-operated coarcted animals. In the physiological range of pressure changes, the depression was significantly smaller after losartan treatment (3.30+/-0.33 versus 2.18+/-0.37%/mm Hg in the losartan- and vehicle-treated CH groups, respectively, versus 5.05+/-0.33%/mm Hg in the sham-operated vehicle-treated group). Angiotensin type 1 (AT1) receptor blockade was also accompanied by reduced variability of the afferent discharge. The data suggested that apart from its pressure effect, angiotensin II acts at AT1 receptors to decrease the sensitivity of aortic afferents during physiological (+/-10 mm Hg) increases and decreases in pressure. Thus, angiotensin II may contribute to reductions of baroreceptor gain in chronic hypertension.