Sexually transmitted infections, bacterial vaginosis, and candidiasis in women of reproductive age in rural Northeast Brazil: a population-based study

Population-based data on sexually transmitted infections (STI), bacterial vaginosis (BV), and candidiasis reflect the epidemiological situation more accurately than studies performed in specific populations, but such data are scarce. To determine the prevalence of STI, BV, and candidiasis among women of reproductive age from a resource-poor community in Northeast Brazil, a population-based cross sectional study was undertaken. All women from seven hamlets and the centre of Pacoti municipality in the state of Ceará, aged 12 to 49 years, were invited to participate. The women were asked about socio-demographic characteristics and genital symptoms, and thereafter examined gynaecologically. Laboratory testing included polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for human papillomavirus (HPV), ligase chain reaction (LCR) for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae, ELISA for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), venereal disease research laboratory (VDRL) and fluorescent treponema antibody absorption test (FTA-ABS) for syphilis, and analysis of wet mounts, gram stains and Pap smears for trichomoniasis, candidiasis, and BV. Only women who had initiated sexual life were included in the analysis (n = 592). The prevalences of STI were: HPV 11.7% (95% confidence interval: 9.3-14.7), chlamydia 4.5% (3.0-6.6), trichomoniasis 4.1% (2.7-6.1), gonorrhoea 1.2% (0.5-2.6), syphilis 0.2% (0.0-1.1), and HIV 0%. The prevalence of BV and candidiasis was 20% (16.9-23.6) and 12.5% (10.0-15.5), respectively. The most common gynaecological complaint was lower abdominal pain. STI are common in women in rural Brazil and represent an important health threat in view of the HIV pandemic.     

Synthesis, pharmacological evaluation and electrochemical studies of novel 6-nitro-3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl-N-acylhydrazone derivatives: Discovery of LASSBio-881, a new ligand of cannabinoid receptors

We describe herein the discovery of LASSBio-881 (3c) as a novel in vivo antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, and in vitro antiproliferative and antioxidant compound, with a cannabinoid ligand profile. We observed that LASSBio-881 (3c) was able to bind to CB1 receptors (71% at 100microM) and also to inhibit T-cell proliferation (66% at 10microM) probably by binding to CB2 receptors, in a non-proapoptotic manner, different from anandamide (1). It was also demonstrated that LASSBio-881 (3c) had an important antioxidant profile toward free radicals (DPPH and hydroxyl), probably due to its particular redox behavior, which reflects the presence of both nitro and 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl sub-units, as demonstrated by cyclic voltammetry studies. In addition, we showed that these structural sub-units are essential for the observed pharmacological activity.     

Synthesis of two carboxylic haptens for raising antibodies to 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 and 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3

Hapten derivatives of 25-hydroxyvitamin D(3) and 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) were synthesized using the Wittig-Horner approach. Both haptens bearing a carboxylic group at the side chain that can be linked to a protein for raising antibodies of potential utility for the determination of 25-hydroxyvitamin D(3), 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) and 1alpha-hydroxylated vitamin D(3) analogues.     

S-Nitrosation of proteins during D-galactosamine-induced cell death in human hepatocytes

Nitric oxide (NO) participates in the cell death induced by d-Galactosamine (d-GalN) in hepatocytes, and NO-derived reactive oxygen intermediates are critical contributors to protein modification and hepatocellular injury. It is anticipated that S-nitrosation of proteins will participate in the mechanisms leading to cell death in d-GalN-treated human hepatocytes. In the present study, d-GalN-induced cell death was related to augmented levels of NO production and S-nitrosothiol (SNO) content. The biotin switch assay confirmed that d-GalN increased the levels of S-nitrosated proteins in human hepatocytes. S-nitrosocysteine (CSNO) enhanced protein S-nitrosation and altered cell death parameters that were related to S-nitrosation of the executioner caspase-3. Fifteen S-nitrosated proteins participating in metabolism, antioxidative defense and cellular homeostasis were identified in human hepatocytes treated with CSNO. Among them, seven were also identified in d-GalN-treated hepatocytes. The results here reported underline the importance of the alteration of SNO homeostasis during d-GalN-induced cell death in human hepatocytes.     

Cytoprotective properties of alpha-tocopherol are related to gene regulation in cultured D-galactosamine-treated human hepatocytes

Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) has demonstrated antioxidant activity and gene-regulatory properties. d-Galactosamine (D-GalN)-induced cell death is mediated by nitric oxide in hepatocytes, and it is associated with hepatic steatosis. The beneficial properties of alpha-tocopherol and their relation to oxidative stress and gene regulation were assessed in D-GalN-induced cell death. Hepatocytes were isolated from human liver resections by a collagenase perfusion technique. alpha-Tocopherol (50 microM) was administered at the advanced stages (10 h) of D-GalN-induced cell death in cultured hepatocytes. Cell death, oxidative stress, alpha-tocopherol metabolism, and NF-kappaB-, pregnane X receptor (PXR)-, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR-alpha)-associated gene regulation were estimated in the hepatocytes. D-GalN increased cell death and alpha-tocopherol metabolism. alpha-Tocopherol exerted a moderate beneficial effect against apoptosis and necrosis induced by D-GalN. Induction (rifampicin) or inhibition (ketoconazole) of alpha-tocopherol metabolism and overexpression of PXR showed that the increase in PXR-related CYP3A4 expression caused by alpha-tocopherol enhanced cell death in hepatocytes. Nevertheless, the reduction in NF-kappaB activation and inducible nitric oxide synthase expression and the enhancement of PPAR-alpha and carnitine palmitoyl transferase gene expression by alpha-tocopherol may be relevant for cell survival. In conclusion, the cytoprotective properties of alpha-tocopherol are mostly related to gene regulation rather than to antioxidant activity in toxin-induced cell death in hepatocytes.     

Zahnanomalien in der Neuropädiatrie

Dental anomalies in children with neuropediatric disorders are easy to diagnose and can be essential in the diagnosis of different entities. They are present in well-known disorders as Incontinentia pigmenti, but also in rare diseases as in Kohlschütter-Tönz syndrome or the recently described ataxia, delayed dentition and hypomyelination. Anomalies of dental shape, enamel and in this case also teeth color, dental number and eruption are all encountered. Knowledge of these abnormalities is important for both clinical geneticist and child neurologist.     

Genetik der koronaren Herzkrankheit und des Herzinfarkts

Because of their high prevalence, cases of coronary artery disease (CAD) and myocardial infarction (MI) are frequently found when asking for a patient’s family history. It is common knowledge that a positive familial history constitutes a risk factor for CAD in its own right, in addition to smoking, increased alcohol intake, diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. Nevertheless, for correct risk assessment it is crucial to accurately distinguish between sporadic and true familial cases of CAD and MI. Familial disposition is present when at least one male first-grade relative under the age of 55 or one female first-grade relative under the age of 65 has/had been diagnosed with myocardial infarction or significant coronary artery disease. In the review presented here, we compile the relevant epidemiological and genetic studies that constitute the scientific basis of this risk assessment. Furthermore, a short overview of the state of the art of genetic CAD/MI research is given.     

A Matter of Scale: Historical and Environmental Factors Structure Anuran Assemblages from the Upper Madeira River,Amazonia

Biogeographical history and current ecological interactions have usually been addressed separately to explain the spatial distribution of patterns of biodiversity. In this study, we evaluated the integrated effects of biogeographical and environmental factors in structuring the diurnal amphibian anuran assemblages of the upper Madeira River, southwestern Amazonia. We used a sampling design involving 98 standardized units, distributed across seven locations covering both banks of the river's course in the state of Rondônia, Brazil. We conducted searches for frogs in three campaigns between February 2010 and February 2011, aiming to: (1) evaluate the effect of the Madeira River as a biogeographic barrier at the species‐assemblage level, and (2) test the influence of seven environmental variables (vegetation structure, vegetation cover, soil nutrients, soil structure, slope, elevation, and distance from the river bank) on the spatial structure of the frog assemblages, separately on each riverbank. Thirteen species of diurnal frogs were recorded, six of which were restricted to one of the river margins. Multivariate analysis of variance indicated a significant effect of the river as a barrier. Multiple regression analyses suggested that the environmental variables structuring frog assemblages differ on either side of the river. We found that both historical elements (on a regional scale) and environmental factors (at a local scale) shaped the occurrence and distribution of frog species in the study area.