Search

The purpose of the present work was to assess the effects of flutriafol, a triazole fungicide, on in vivo dopamine (DA) release from rat striatum, using brain microdialysis coupled to high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (HPLC-EC). Intrastriatal administration of flutriafol (1, 6 and 12 mM) produced significant concentration-dependent increases in DA levels to 218.5+/-51%, 1376+/-245% and 3093+/-345% compared with basal values, respectively. Those increases in DA levels could be due to an increased DA exocytotic release and/or a change in the activity of DA transporter (DAT). Thus, we investigated the effects of flutriafol (6mM) under Ca(++)- or Na(+)-free conditions, and after pretreatment with reserpine and TTX. When flutriafol was perfused in either Ca(++)- or Na(+)-free Ringer, the DA levels reduced 92% and 70%, respectively; perfusion of flutriafol in TTX-treated (10 microM) or reserpine-pretreated animals (10mg/kg), reduced the levels of DA to 73% and 86%, respectively. Co-infusion of flutriafol and nomifensine (20 microM) shows that the flutriafol-induced DA release did not involve the DAT. Our results suggest that flutriafol induces DA release via vesicular-, Ca(++)-, Na(+)- and TTX-dependent mechanism, being independent of DAT.

In South Brazil the circulation of two HIV-1 subtypes with different characteristics represents an important scenario for the study of the impact of HIV-1 diversity on the evolution of the HIV-1 epidemic and AIDS disease. HIV-1 B, the predominant variant in industrialized countries and HIV-1 C, the most prevalent subtype in areas with rapid epidemic growth, are implicated in most infections. We evaluated blood samples from 128 antiretroviral (ARV) naïve patients recruited at entry to the largest HIV outpatient service in Porto Alegre. Based on partial pol region sequencing, HIV-1 C was observed in 29%, HIV-1 B in 22.6% and, the recently identified CRF31_BC, in 23.4% of 128 volunteers. Other variants were HIV-1 F in 10% and other mosaics in 5.5%. In order to evaluate the association of socio-behavioral characteristics and HIV-1 subtypes, interviews and laboratory evaluation were performed at entry. Our data suggest an established epidemic of the three major variants, without any evidence of partitioning in either of the subgroups analyzed. However, anal sex practices were associated with subtype B, which could indicate a greater transmissibility of non-B variants by vaginal intercourse. This study provides baseline information for epidemiologic surveillance of the changes of the molecular characteristics of HIV-1 epidemics in this region.

Combined results from laser capture microdissection of mouse airway epithelial cells followed by high power (MALDI-FTICR) MS, and fluorescent two-dimensional gel elctrophoresis (2D-DIGE) of the whole lung, allowed us to identify proteins differentially expressed after naphthalene induced airway injury. Further, we discovered several novel aspects of Cystic Fibrosis (CF) lung pathology in an F508del-Cftr mouse model using this approach. The combined MALDI-FTICR-MS and 2D-DIGE data show that lung carbonyl reductase (CBR2), involved in prostaglandin metabolism, converting PGE2 to PGF2alpha, is localized to airway cells and is reduced 2-fold in mutant mice compared to normal, both before and after challenge. Further, we observe a downregulation of two key enzymes of retinoic acid metabolism after injury, which is more pronounced in CF mutant mice. These data show that state-of-the-art proteomics can be used to evaluate airway injury in small cell samples. Further, the results suggest the involvement of prostaglandin and retinoic acid metabolism in the abnormal responses of CF mutant mice to injury.

TP53 mutations are common in esophageal squamous cell carcinomas (SCC). To identify biological markers of possible relevance in esophageal SCC, we (i) searched for genes expressed in a p53-dependent manner in TE-1, an esophageal SCC cell line expressing the temperature-sensitive TP53 mutant V272M, and (ii) investigated the expression of one of those genes, the interferon-inducible Guanylate Binding Protein 2 (GBP-2), in esophageal SCC tissues. Clontech Human Cancer 1.2 arrays containing 1,176 human cancer gene-related sequences were used to identify differentially expressed genes in TE-1 cells at permissive (32 degrees C) and nonpermissive (37 degrees C) temperatures. The expression of GBP-2 and IRF-1, its main transcriptional regulator, was analyzed by immunohistochemistry in a retrospective series of 41 esophageal SCC cases with a clear transition zone from noncancer, apparently normal epithelium to invasive cancer. The expression of the GBP-2 gene is consistently increased in TE-1 at 32 degrees C in a p53-dependent manner, as confirmed by inhibition of p53 expression by RNA interference. Increase in GBP-2 is accompanied by an increase in protein levels of IRF-1, the main transcriptional regulator of GBP-2, and in the formation of complexes between p53 and IRF-1. GBP-2 expression is significantly higher in esophageal SCC than in adjacent normal epithelium (p<0.01), in which GBP-2 staining is limited to the basal layer. Our results suggest that p53 up-regulates GBP-2 by cooperating with IRF-1. The association of GBP-2 expression with proliferative squamous cells suggests that GBP-2 may represent a marker of interest in esophageal SCC., (Copyright (c) 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)

Bothrops insularis venom contains a variety of substances presumably responsible for several pharmacological effects. We investigated the biochemical and biological effects of phospholipase A(2) protein isolated from B. insularis venom and the chromatographic profile showed 7 main fractions and the main phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) enzymatic activity was detected in fractions IV and V. Fraction IV was submitted to a new chromatographic procedure on ion exchange chromatography, which allowed the elution of 5 main fractions designated as IV-1 to IV-5, from which IV-4 constituted the main fraction. The molecular homogeneity of this fraction was characterized by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and demonstrated by mass spectrometry (MS), which showed a molecular mass of 13984.20 Da; its N-terminal sequence presented a high amino acid identity (up to 95%) with the PLA(2) of Bothrops jararaca and Bothrops asper. Phospholipase A(2) isolated from B. insularis (Bi PLA(2) ) venom (10 microg/mL) was also studied as to its effect on the renal function of isolated perfused kidneys of Wistar rats (n=6). Bi PLA(2) increased perfusion pressure (PP), renal vascular resistance (RVR), urinary flow (UF) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Sodium (%TNa(+)) and chloride tubular reabsorption (%TCl(-)) decreased at 120 min, without alteration in potassium transport. In conclusion, PLA(2) isolated from B. insularis venom promoted renal alterations in the isolated perfused rat kidney.

Aims: Our objective was to study the anatomic relations of the human left atrial oblique vein (Marshall vein), particularly of its ostium opening into the coronary sinus, in order to guide ablation procedures related to that vein., Methods and Results: The study was carried out in 23 heart-specimens (mean weight 446 +/- 204 g) of individuals whose mean ages were 43 +/- 21 years, 20 males. The coronary sinus was opened longitudinally, exposing the ostium of the tributary veins; the Vieussens valve was looked for, as well as its relationship to the left atrial oblique vein. The diameters of the left atrial oblique vein and the coronary sinus ostia were measured and the distance between them was determined. The left atrial oblique vein could be identified in 20 (87%) of the hearts, while the Vieussens valve was present in 17 (74%) of the specimens (in 16 of which the left atrial oblique vein was identified). In such condition, the vein was adjacent to the Vieussens valve and proximally positioned relative to the coronary sinus ostium in most of them (14/16 cases). The mean diameters of the left atrial oblique vein and of the coronary sinus ostia were, respectively, 1.23 +/- 0.38 and 8.22 +/- 1.88 mm. The mean distance between both ostia was 30.9 +/- 10.2 mm., Conclusion: When present, the left atrial oblique vein can be easily recognized, adjacent to the Vieussens valve. The mean distance between the coronary sinus opening and left atrial oblique vein ostium was around 30 mm, independently of the heart weight and the presence of cardiomegaly.

The Psychiatric Reform Movement has supported proposals to reorient the hegemonic mental health care model. In Brazil, a facility for the criminally insane was created, called the Custody and Psychiatric Treatment Hospital (CPTH). The maintenance of such a structure, known as total institutionalization, has reinforced individual exclusion, limiting the patients' social rehabilitation. This article discusses the right to health in the CPTH from a human rights perspective. The advances achieved in Brazil under the National Mental Health Policy have failed to include reorientation of the care provided in such facilities for the criminally insane. The institution has remained an isolationist asylum, reflecting a historical denial of human rights. Progress in policy, per se, does not guarantee the materialization of recent strides gained through the Psychiatric Reform, particularly in relation to criminals with mental disorders. The state, through shared responsibility with society, should promote the effective reorientation of the health care model for these individuals, whose criminal responsibility should be acknowledged, while providing simultaneously for specialized care. Respect for human rights is not synonymous with impunity.

A 10-year-old girl presented with painless progressive proptosis of the left eye. CT and MRI of the orbits showed a large ethmoidal mass invading the orbit. Clinically, despite its size, the tumor was not inducing any functional signs. A coronal approach was used to remove the tumor en bloc. Histopathology revealed that the lesion was a chondromyxoid fibroma, a neoplasm unreported in the ophthalmic literature.

The nitroreductase family comprises a group of FMN- or FAD-dependent and NAD(P)H-dependent enzymes able to metabolize nitrosubstituted compounds. The nitroreductases are found within bacterial and some eukaryotic species. In eukaryotes, there is little information concerning the phylogenetic position and biochemical functions of nitroreductases. The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has two nitroreductase proteins: Frm2p and Hbn1p. While Frm2p acts in lipid signaling pathway, the function of Hbn1p is unknown. In order to elucidate the function of Frm2p/Hbn1p and the presence of homologous sequences in other prokaryotic and eukaryotic species, we performed an in-depth phylogenetic analysis of these proteins. The results showed that bacterial cells have Frm2p/Hbn1p-like sequences (termed NrlAp) forming a distinct clade within the fungal Frm2p/Hbn1p family. Hydrophobic cluster analysis and three-dimensional protein modeling allowed us to compare conserved regions among NrlAp and Frm2/Hbn1p proteins. In addition, the possible functions of bacterial NrlAp and fungal Frm2p/Hbn1p are discussed.

The Guaíba Basin is a source of drinking water for Porto Alegre (RS, Brazil). The water from this basin receives industrial, urban, and rural waste from many sources. The mussel species Limnoperna fortunei was chosen based on population data, distribution, and sensitivity. Previous tests with comet assay and micronuclei frequency in this freshwater mussel have shown to be successful in biomonitoring studies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the genotoxic contamination of the Guaíba Lake Hydrographic Region, through the determination of damage by the micronuclei and comet assays in L. fortunei (golden mussel). Nine sampling sites were evaluated in three different seasons: five sites in the mouths of the main rivers that flow into Guaíba lake; one site at the mouth of a stream; one major site of sewage discharge; two sites at Guaíba lake, near a sewage discharge; and the control site in a preservation area. DNA damage was detected by the single cell gel assay, as well as the frequency of micronuclei in hemocytes of mussels exposed under laboratory conditions for 7 days to water and sediment samples. Significant results were found in different seasons in almost all sampling sites (P<0.05, ANOVA Dunnet's test). Most of the positive results were found in samples affected mainly by urban effluents. It was possible to observe that there was a weak relation between mutagenic and genotoxic responses and mussels inorganic elements contents. Seasonal variation was observed at different sampling sites, but always indicating a huge contamination near urban sewage discharge. These results are consistent with previous studies, allowing us to infer that urban contamination is the biggest problem in this region. It is also possible to infer that L. fortunei is a good sentinel organism for the Guaíba Basin.

Objective: To analyze the shuttle walk test, and its respective retest, comparing children with cystic fibrosis (CF) to normal children., Methods: The children were divided into two groups: the CF group, composed of children in whom the diagnosis had been confirmed through sweat testing; and the control group, composed of normal children with no history of pulmonary diseases and no alterations in respiratory function. The children were submitted to at least two consecutive tests, 30 min apart. We evaluated distance walked, cardiac overload, peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) and subjective perception of exertion (dyspnea at rest scale and Borg dyspnea scale)., Results: A total of 28 children were evaluated. Ages ranged from 7 to 15 years (11.57 +/= 2.50 and 11.28 +/= 1.85 years for the CF and control groups, respectively). The Borg scale scores were significantly higher in the controls (p = 0.007). No differences were found regarding cardiac overload and SpO2. In relation to the intergroup retest, the controls presented significant improvements on the second test, both in the distance walked and in dyspnea at rest (p = 0.014 and p = 0.036, respectively). The CF group presented a significant improvement only in the dyspnea at rest score (p = 0.168 and p = 0.042, respectively)., Conclusion: The cardiac overload imposed by the test did not differ between the groups. The greater fatigue at the beginning of the second test suggests that the 30 min rest between the tests was insufficient.

The present article aimed to show the distribution of accidents involving the caterpillar Lonomia obliqua, Walker, 1855, in the State of Paraná between 1989 and 2001. The data were obtained from the Environmental Health Department of Paraná. The information collected was mapped using the Arcview program, and maps of the seasonal occurrence of accidents were generated. This seasonality was correlated with the insects life cycle and summer was shown to be the period with greatest incidence of accidents. The greatest concentrations occurred in the central-southern, southeastern and southwestern regions of the State.

This study was carried in the area covered by the Hospital Universitário of the University of São Paulo in order to verify the relationship between birth weight and maternal work and prenatal, nutritional (height, initial and final weight and weight gain during gestation) and socioeconomic-demographic (age, marital status, level of education, family income) conditions. It was based on a sample of 101 children. The occurrence of low birth weight (LBW) (5.1%) did not show association with maternal work nor with prenatal. On the other hand, LBW showed significant association with the following maternal variables: weight gain during the pregnancy under 7 kilograms, mother's age under 20 years old and marital status (single mothers). Despite the low occurrence of LBW, the results point out to the importance of taking measures to reduce LBW, in particular through the control of prenatal weight gain and prenatal among adolescents. Moreover, a policy of educating women, and in particular single women, about pregnancy, childbirth and nutrition seem an obvious necessity.

The development of methodologies for biomonitoring freshwater ecosystems is of particular relevance in view of the serious problem of aquatic environmental pollution. The mussel species Limnoperna fortunei (golden mussel) was chosen to be tested as a biomonitor organism based on its population data and distribution. L. fortunei individuals were exposed to UV radiation in vitro, and in vivo to pentachlorophenol (PCP) and copper sulphate (CuSO(4)), with the aim of standardizing comet assay and micronucleus test methodologies and evaluating the potential of this organism as a biomonitor. Haemolymph cells immobilized in agarose on slides exposed to UV radiation showed a dose-response relationship with maximum damage at 4.2 J/m(2). For the chemical tests, individuals were exposed for 2h for the comet assay and 24 and 48 h for the micronucleus test. A dose-response relationship was observed for both chemicals. 3x10(-5) M CuSO(4) induced high genotoxicity, also producing some toxicity after 48 h of exposure. PCP induced maximum damage in both assays at 150 μg/L. Individuals exposed to PCP showed 100% repair 2 h after the exposure period, as assessed by the comet assay. Exposure to an environmental sample over 7 days confirmed the mussel sensitivity to water contaminants, detected both by the comet assay and the micronucleus test. The results allow us to suggest the golden mussel as a potential biomonitor organism.

In colorectal cancer tight junction molecular and morphological alterations are poorly understood. In this study, adenocarcinoma tissues and their paired normal mucosa (n = 12) were analyzed for tight junction alterations molecular. The expression of claudin-1, -3 and -4 was upregulated 5.7-, 1.5- and 2.4-fold, respectively, in colorectal tumor tissues in comparison to the normal ones. Although tight junction remains in the cancerous epithelium, its barrier function was altered. Despite claudins overexpression, paracellular permeability to ruthenium red was increased and a significant disorganization of tight junction strands was observed in freeze fracture replicas. Whereas the functional significance of claudin overexpression in colorectal cancer is unclear, these proteins can become potential markers and targets in colorectal cancer.

This study analyzes the spatial distribution of low birth weight (LBW) in the State of Sergipe, Brazil, evaluating the event as a health indicator. The analysis was based on 166,312 live births in the 75 municipalities in the State, using an ecological approach. Four methods were used: cluster analysis, correlation analysis, multiple regression analysis, and multiple comparisons (Tukey). The study shows internal homogeneity in the municipalities' health districts and in the groups resulting from the cluster analysis. Considering a 10% loss of information, seven groups were identified, two of which were residues (Aracaju and Porto da Folha). There is a downward trend in LBW in Sergipe (with a mean of 6.97% during the period), reflecting a slight improvement in quality of life. The causes suggest relations with the environment and are influenced by spatial occupation patterns. The percentage of LBW is a useful indicator of individual risk, but as a collective health indicator it does not appear capable of expressing differences between regions that do not display strong inter-variability.

Through a casual-stratified-proportional sample, this study characterized the social reproduction profiles of 80 families with children under age 7 living within the area of assistance of the University of São Paulo's Hospital Universitário. The profiles were constructed using a theoretical-methodological-operational basis that predefined 3 homogeneous social groups. Of the total sample, 36.1 percent of the families showed the most precarious ways of reproduction in both production and consumption; 48.2 percent seemed to struggle for integration in social life; and 15.7 percent fulfilled the qualifications for their adequate integration in social production, seemed to be protected from irregular work, showing a differentiated pattem of consumption and of collective representation and betterpossibilities to use the geo-social space. The results demonstrated that the methodology employed is adequate for the characterization of the social reproduction profiles, highlighting the fact that the social groups that comprise a society have different working and living conditions, and that each of them is exposed to specific patterns of strength and proneness to diseases.

The objective of this study was to estimate the frequency of breastfeeding and to identify variables associated with median breastfeeding length. It is a cross-sectional population-based study carried out in a representative sample of 261 children under 2 years old randomly selected in the urban area of Itupeva city, SP, Brazil. The breastfeeding patterns recommended by WHO were used. The frequency and the median length of breastfeeding were estimated by life tables technique. The Wilcoxon test was used to identify association between breastfeeding and the categorical variables (p<0.05) in the bivariate analysis. For the multivariate analysis, the variables associated with the breastfeeding length (Wilcoxon test; p<0.10) were inserted in a Cox Regression model. Almost 100% of the children have initiated breastfeeding and 41.0% were in breastfeeding at the moment of the interview. The median length of breastfeeding was 7.2 months and exclusive breastfeeding was only 28 days. It was observed association between the breastfeeding length and the following variables: father's schooling, mother's marital status, number of children, sequence of birth, bottle-feeding and pacifier use. The Cox regression model selected as significant variables: sequence of birth (HR=1.68; IC95%=1.03-2.73), bottle-feeding use (HR=15.20; IC95%=3.69-62.01) and pacifier use (HR=2.84; IC95%=1.95-4.19). The current pattern of breastfeeding in Itupeva is still far from the WHO recommendations; therefore, encouragement and support to breastfeeding need to be intensified. Variables influencing breastfeeding should be considered in the attempt to increase breastfeeding. Health workers should dedicate all their efforts to increase the exclusive breastfeeding period in children under 6 months of age and increase the total breastfeeding period.

Objective: To assess the effects of air pollution levels on respiratory morbidity among children from 1999 to 2000., Methods: Daily records of health center attendance due to respiratory diseases among children were obtained from the public health system in Curitiba, State of Paraná, Brazil. Daily levels of particulate matter (PM10), smoke, NO2 and O3 were obtained from both Paraná State Environmental Institute and the Development Technology Institute, a non-governmental agency. Daily measurements of temperature and relative humidity were obtained from the National Institute of Meteorology. Generalized additive Poisson regression models were used to assess the relationship between respiratory diseases and air pollution, controlling for long-term seasonality using loess (a non-parametric smoothing function), weather and weekdays. A significance level of 5% was adopted in all the analyses., Results: All pollutants presented an effect on respiratory diseases among children. An increase of 40.4 mg/m3 in the 3-day moving average of smoke was associated with an increase of 4.5% (95% CI: 1.5-7.6) in the attendance of children with respiratory diseases., Conclusion: The results suggest that air pollution promotes adverse effects on children's respiratory health even when pollutant levels are lower than the air quality standards.

Benznidazole is recommended in Brazil for the treatment of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in acute and early chronic phases of Chagas' disease. Observations by others have indicated a higher incidence of neoplasias in immunosuppressed patients, presenting Chagas' disease reactivation, submitted to treatment with benznidazole. In the present study, we investigated whether there is a potentiation in the generation of lymphomas in chronically infected mice, treated with immunosuppressive drugs and benznidazole. For this, 142 Swiss mice chronically infected with the 21 SF strain of T. cruzi and 72 normal Swiss mice were used. Both infected and normal mice were divided into experimental groups and submitted to one of the following treatment regimens: benznidazole alone; immunosuppressive drugs (azathioprine, betamethasone and cyclosporin); a combination of immunosuppressive drugs and benznidazole; and untreated controls. In the infected group treated with benznidazole, one mouse developed a non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. This finding has been interpreted as a spontaneous tumor of mice. The study of the chronically infected mice treated with the combination of immunosuppressive drugs and benznidazole demonstrated an absence of lymphomas or other neoplasias. These findings support the indication of benznidazole, as the drug of choice, for immunosuppressed patients that develop a reactivation of Chagas' disease.

Nutritional conditions in the pre-gestacional period and during pregnancy were evaluated in 372 pregnant women based on the body mass index and Rosso's Graph. Approximately half (51%) the pregnant women presented normal pre-gestacional weight; however, 17.7% were underweight and 31.3% overweight. In the third trimester, 18.8% were underweight and 28.2% overweight. The weight at birth increased as nutritional conditions during pregnancy improved. These results show the importance of appropriate anthropometric control in order to prevent a bad neonatal prognosis and reaffirms the importance of such activity during the whole routine of pre-natal control.

The relative effectiveness of daily supplementation of iron deficiency during pregnancy using 15 mg/day of iron from iron-bis-glycinate chelate (71 pregnant women), or 40 mg iron from ferrous sulfate (74 pregnant women) was evaluated by measuring hemoglobin, transferrin saturation and serum ferritin, at the beginning of the study (< 20 weeks of pregnancy) and at 20-30 weeks and 30-40 weeks thereafter. Ingestion for 13 weeks or more was considered adequate. Seventy three percent of the Ferrochel consuming group and 35% of the ferrous sulfate consuming group were considered to have taken the treatment adequately. The decrease in levels of all the measured parameters was significantly less pronounced in the group that consumed Ferrochel in spite of the lower treatment dose. Iron depletion was found in 30.8% of the women treated with Ferrochel and in 54.5% of the women than consumed ferrous sulfate. Of the factors responsible for non compliance taste was reported in 29.8% of the ferrous sulfate consumers and none in the groups that consumed Ferrochel. It is concluded that daily supplementation with Ferrochel was significantly more effective, in spite of the lower dose, than supplementation with ferrous sulfate.

The effect of feeding rice and bean diets in both hepatic and plasmatic activity of gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase-(GGT-EC 2.3.2.2) activity was evaluated in growing-rats (Experiment A) and mature rats (Experiment B). During 28 days, the animals were fed with isocaloric-diets composed by tree levels of rice, bean or rice-and-bean protein. Similarly with the aproteic group, a significant increase on both the hepatic and plasmatic GGT activity were showed with the lowest levels of protein, when compared with 25% casein control group. This rise was more effective in growing-rats fed on legume-based diets (as bean or rice-and-bean diets), making evident a differential effect of age and an exacerbated effect of the protein restriction with the lowest sulfur amino acids disposal. These alterations suggest a metabolic adaptation of GGT to both the inadequate protein and sulfur-amino acid levels, thus supporting the hypothesis that the Glutathione levels may be reduced by these legume-based diets.

Gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT-EC 2.3.2.2) activity and glutathione (GSH) content were measured in livers of female weanling Wistar rats (N = 5-18), submitted to rice-and-bean diets (13 and 6% w/w protein), both supplemented or not with DL-methionine (0.5 and 0.23 g/100 g dry diet, respectively). After 28 days, the rats on the rice-and-bean diets showed significantly higher levels (four times higher) of liver GGT activity and a concomitant 50% lower concentration of liver GSH in comparison with control groups feeding on casein. The addition of DL-methionine to rice-and-bean diets significantly increased the liver GSH content, which reached levels 50% higher than those found in animals on casein diets. The increase in GSH was accompanied by a decrease in liver GGT activity, which did not reach levels as low as those observed in the control groups. No significant correlation could be established between GGT and GSH changes under the present experimental conditions. Linear correlation analysis only revealed that in animals submitted to unsupplemented rice-and-bean diets GSH concentration was positively associated (P < 0.05) with weight gain, food intake and food efficiency. GGT, however, was negatively correlated (P < 0.05) with food intake only, and exclusively for supplemented rice-and-bean diets. The high levels of GGT activity observed in the present study for rats receiving a rice-and-bean mixture could be a result of the poor quality of these diets associated with their deficiency in sulfur amino acids. The results also suggest that diet supplementation with methionine could be important in the reduction of the deleterious effects of GSH depletion by restoring the intracellular concentration of this tripeptide.

The frequency of anemia, iron deficiency and iron body stores was assessed in 155 pregnant teenagers of low socioeconomic status in a prenatal care unit of a beneficent hospital in São Paulo, Brazil. By the criterion of the World Health Organization (Hb < 12 g/dL) 14.2% of the pregnant adolescents had anemia. The iron deficiency diagnostic by saturation of transferrin < 16% and zinc protoporphyrin concentration > 60 (mol/mol heme were 45.8 and 42.6%, respectively. The iron body store (serum ferritin < 12 micrograms/L) was depleted for 48.4% of adolescents. It is concluded that the iron nutritional status of these adolescents were characteristics of the pregravidic inadequate iron store. Despite low percentage of the anemia, the high frequency of iron deficiency and depleted iron stores suggest a practical procedure to detect iron deficiency and the use of iron supplementation in teenagers.

Several anthropometric patterns were used to evaluate the nutritional status of 155 pregnant teenagers of low socioeconomic status in a prenatal care unit of a beneficent hospital in São Paulo, Brazil. Using the body mass index 25.2% of them were classified as underweight before pregnancy and 3.3% during pregnancy. The Siqueira's et al curve and the Rosso's normogram showed higher percentages of underweight, as well as of overweight and obesity. The results indicated the necessity to review the anthropometrics patterns that classify specifically the nutritional status of pregnant adolescents.

This study draws a random sample (334 individuals) of all patients diagnosed with stomach cancer from 1980 to 1995 at the National Cancer Institute in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and reviews histopathological data. Agreement between previous and present classification of the histopathological material (Laurén's classification) was considered quite substantial (kappa = 0.65). Based on this classification, a statistically nonsignificant trend towards decline in the intestinal type of stomach cancer among older individuals (60 years old or older) from both genders was observed (males: 41.0% in 1980-1985, 37.9% in 1986-1990, and 28.8% in 1991-1995; females: 41.4%, 31.5%, and 15.2%, respectively). Proportions of the intestinal type among younger patients from both genders remained stable throughout the period.

It was studied an equiprobabilistic sample of 262 female teenagers living in the city of Taboão da Serra, Brazil, with the aim of evaluating the prevalence of anemia and iron-deficiency. Anemia was identified by the hemoglobin level and the prevalence of iron-deficiency was determined through the concentration of free erythrocyte protoporphyrin. It was observed a prevalence of 17.6% of anemia, and its occurrence was inversely related to factors indicative of the economic-social level: income, schooling of parents and home's characteristics. The presence of anemia was higher in the group that did not have reached menarche, and its occurrence did not show relation with the interval between menstrual cycle. The prevalence of iron-deficiency was of 29,4% and it was not verified correlation between the bloody hemoglobin and the free erythrocyte protoporphyrin, except in severe cases of anemia.

A total of 1752 strains of osmophilic yeasts were isolated from honey and pollens. Forty-three strains of osmophilic yeasts produced polyols, among which 6 strains produced erythritol in good yields. On the other hand, 52 osmophilic yeasts converted sucrose to fructooligosaccharides, among which 8 strains produced both extra and intracellular beta-fructofuranosidase, which converted sucrose to fructooligosaccharides. This investigation concluded that osmophilic yeasts converted sucrose not only to polyols, but also to fructooligosaccharides in good yields.

Gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT, EC 2.3.2.2) activity was determined in the plasma and liver of 40 young (50 days old) and 40 mature (300 days old) male Wistar rats, after a protein restriction period of 28 days. Casein protein levels used were: 1%, 3%, 5%, 7% and 28% (control). Weanling rats submitted to protein-free diet and adult rats submitted to that and other low-protein diets (1%, 3% or 5% casein) presented weight reductions (-0.38 +/- 0.07 g/day and -0.98 +/- 0.19 g/day, respectively). Only in young animals did these weight reductions parallel those of food consumption (37 +/- 12% of control), plasma protein (52 +/- 11% of control), plasma albumin (70 +/- 12% of control), hepatic RNA (68 +/- 7% of control) and protein (71 +/- 8% of control). A marked effect of the protein restriction, increasing the GGT activity, was also observed only in young rats. A significant (P < 0.05) rise was promoted by the protein-free diet in the plasma GGT (2.83 +/- 1.39 vs 0.69 +/- 0.50 mU/ml for control) and by both the protein-free and 3% casein diets, in the liver GGT (respectively, 16.00 +/- 6.72 and 7.75 +/- 3.49 vs 0.94 +/- 0.57 U/g protein for control). The different results obtained for young in relation to mature animals could be explained by the reduction of both protein and sulfur-containing amino acid requirements with aging.

The self-evaluation of nutritional status, utilized as a teaching strategy of introductory nutrition course at Nursing School (São Paulo's University), gave a subsidy to this work. With this purpose, 50 female university students 3rd'semester (mean age was 21.7) were required to complete a three days food record and report their approximate height and weight. The analysis of food intake adequacy indicated that 98% of the students had insufficient intake (less than 90% of recommended of National Research Council-1980) of, at least, one of the nutrients (protein, calcium, iron, vitamin A, B1, B2, C and niacin). It was evidenced an inadequate intake (less than 90% of RDA) of calcium (80% of the students), vitamin A (72%), iron (64%), vitamin B1 (74%), vitamin B2 (56%) and vitamin C (34%). The inadequate intake was more frequently and serious (less than 60% RDA) for calcium (42%), vitamin A (20%) and iron (16%) showing a vitamins and minerals deficient diet.