Folate and Nutrients Involved in the 1-Carbon Cycle in the Pretreatment of Patients for Colorectal Cancer

To assess the ingestion of folate and nutrients involved in the 1-carbon cycle in non-treated patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma in a reference center for oncology in southeastern Brazil. In total, 195 new cases with colorectal adenocarcinoma completed a clinical evaluation questionnaire and a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). Blood samples from 161 patients were drawn for the assessment of serum folate. A moderate correlation was found between serum concentrations of folate, folate intake and the dietary folate equivalent (DFE) of synthetic supplements. Mulatto or black male patients with a primary educational level had a higher intake of dietary folate. Of patients obtaining folate from the diet alone or from dietary supplements, 11.00% and 0.10%, respectively, had intake below the recommended level. Of the patients using dietary supplements, 35% to 50% showed high levels of folic acid intake. There was a prevalence of inadequacy for vitamins B2, B6 and B12, ranging from 12.10% to 20.18%, while 13.76% to 22.55% of patients were likely to have adequate choline intake. The considerable percentage of patients with folate intake above the recommended levels deserves attention because of the harmful effects that this nutrient may have in the presence of established neoplastic lesions.     

The influence of a diet based on flaxseed,an omega-3 source,during different developmental periods,on the blood pressure of rats submitted to stress

Objective: This study aimed to investigate a flaxseed diet during different developmental periods, and its effect on the blood pressure of rats submitted to stress.

Methods: Fifty-six male rats (F₁), born from 14 rats (F₀), were divided into seven groups (n?=?8): flaxseed group (FG); flaxseed group gestation and lactation (FG-GL); flaxseed group weaning (FG-W); flaxseed group weaning and stress (FG-WS); flaxseed group stress (FG-S); flaxseed group gestation lactation and weaning (FG-GLW), and control Group (CG). Stress protocol was undertaken for 1 month. Blood pressure was analysed before and after the stress protocol. The left adrenal glands and serum corticosterone levels were analysed.

Results: Systolic blood pressure before stress was lower in all groups with flaxseed diet compared with the CG (p?=?.00001). After stress, CG showed higher blood pressure compared with FG, FG-GL, and FG-GLW (p?=?.004). The levels of corticosterone were lower in the FG between all groups (p?p?Conclusions: Results suggest a possible factor from a flaxseed diet against the effects of stress on a blood pressure in all periods of life but especially in the gestation and lactation periods.     

Comparison of 2 proposed MLVA protocols for subtyping non-O157:H7 verotoxigenic Escherichia coli

Multiple locus variable number tandem repeats (VNTRs) analysis (MLVA) has become a reliable tool, able to establish genetic relationships for epidemiological surveillance and molecular subtyping of pathogens such as verotoxigenic Escherichia coli (VTEC). This emerging pathogen whose primary reservoir is the cattle causes severe disease in humans, such as hemorrhagic colitis and hemolytic uremic syndrome. With the aim of comparing a recently proposed MLVA assay with that used routinely in our laboratory, we analyzed a set of VTEC isolates (n = 72) obtained from meat using both assays. All samples could be typed by the new MLVA assay, and an increase in the number of distinct profiles (31–43) was observed. However, intraserotype resolution was not significantly enhanced; thus, the incorporation of more VNTR loci is still needed to achieve a greater discrimination among non-O157:H7 serotypes.     

Phthalimido-thiazole as privileged scaffold: activity against immature and adult worms of Schistosoma mansoni

Parasitology Research - Phthalimide, 1,3-thiazole, and thiazolidinone cores are considered privileged scaffolds and represent an attractive starting point to design new bioactive compounds for...     

Ethanol withdrawal increases blood pressure and vascular oxidative stress: a role for angiotensin type 1 receptors

We evaluated the possible mechanisms underlying the oxidative stress induced by ethanol withdrawal. With this purpose, we verified the role of AT₁ receptors in such response. Male Wistar rats were treated with ethanol 3%–9% (vol./vol.) for 21 days. Ethanol withdrawal was induced by abrupt discontinuation of the treatment. Experiments were performed 48 hours after ethanol discontinuation. Increased plasma levels of angiotensin II were detected after ethanol withdrawal. Losartan (10 mg/kg; p.o. gavage), a selective AT₁ receptor antagonist, impeded the increase in blood pressure induced by ethanol withdrawal. Increased lipoperoxidation and superoxide anion (O₂^?) levels were detected in aortas after ethanol withdrawal, and losartan prevented these responses. Decreased hydrogen peroxide and nitrate/nitrite concentration were detected in aortas after ethanol withdrawal, and losartan prevented these effects. Nitrotyrosine immunostaining in the rat aorta was increased after ethanol withdrawal, and AT₁ blockade impeded this response. Increased expression of PKCδ and p47^phox was detected after ethanol withdrawal, and treatment with losartan prevented these responses. Our study provides novel evidence that ethanol withdrawal increases vascular oxidative stress and blood pressure through AT₁-dependent mechanisms. These findings highlight the importance of angiotensin II in ethanol withdrawal–induced increase in blood pressure and vascular oxidative damage.     

Influence of intra- and extrauterine factors on infant sleep in the first 6 months of life

ObjectiveInfant sleep problems can affect the child's health. Maternal characteristics have been associated with the quality of infant sleep, but few studies have investigated the impact of intrauterine conditions. The aim of the study was to evaluate the association between adverse intrauterine environments (maternal smoking, hypertension, diabetes, and intrauterine growth restriction) and extrauterine factors on infant sleep in the first 6 months of life.MethodsProspective cohort study, including singleton and at-term infants. Mothers were interviewed after delivery and at 30 days, 3 months, and 6 months of life. Socioeconomic, breastfeeding, and sleep data were self-reported by mothers using semi-structured interviews. Maternal stress (Perceived Stress Scale) and postpartum depression symptoms (Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale) were assessed.ResultsThere was no statistically significant association between intrauterine environments and the sleep of infants of the 359 mother–child dyads investigated. Total infant sleep time decreased from approximately 13–11 h from 30 days to 6 months of age (p < 0.001) and the longest period of uninterrupted sleep increased from approximately 4–6 h during the same period (p < 0.001). Breastfed infants slept longer in 24-h periods in the first month, but they woke up more often throughout the night when compared to infants receiving formula. Mothers with depressive symptoms reported increased sleep latency time.ConclusionsAdverse intrauterine environments did not significantly affect sleep measures in the first 6 months of life. Maternal characteristics and practices, however, were associated with infant sleep, suggesting that environmental factors significantly contribute to sleep quality early in life.     

Health Services Use and Costs in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Germany: Results from a Survey in ASD Outpatient Clinics

Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders - Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are associated with high services use, but European data on costs are scarce. Utilisation and annual costs of 385...