‘Mate’ Intake,Hormone-Based Risk Factors and Breast Cancer: a Case-Control Study

Previous reports on the inverse association between ‘mate’ intake (infusion of Ilex Paraguariensis herb) and breastcancer (BC) risk led us to consider two main roles for the infusion: as a substantial antioxidant contributor and asa hormone regulator, particularly through anti-aromatase capacities. Since menstrual-reproductive risk factors forBC reflect women’s estrogenic exposure during the reproductive lifespan, and considering that ‘mate’ intake exertsputative stronger protection among high antioxidant contributors, we attempted to analyze interactions among theinfusion, hormon-linked reproductive factors and BC risk, which have hitherto remained unexplored. We analyzed adatabase of 572 BC incident cases and 889 controls. Women were interviewed with a specific questionnaire featuringsocio-demographic, lifestyle and reproductive variables (age at menarche, 1st live birth and menopause; number of livebirths; breastfeeding months), and a food frequency questionnaire, focusing on ‘mate’ intake (consumer status, dailyintake, age at start, age at quit, duration of habit). Odds ratios (OR) and their 95% confidence Intervals were calculatedthrough unconditional logistic regression, adjusting for relevant potential confounders. ‘Mate’ intake showed stronginverse associations with some high-risk hormone-related factors: early menarche, nulliparity, low breastfeeding, longreproductive years and high number of ovulatory cycles. Moreover, all subsets of high dietary energy demonstratedeven stronger associations. In conclusion, regarding exposure to known hormone risk factors, we found strong inverseassociations between high ‘mate’ intake and BC, which were greater among those consuming higher calorific diets.Our analyses support possible combined antioxidant and antiestrogenic effects for ‘mate’ infusions.     

Investigation of an onsite wastewater treatment system in sandy soil: site characterization and fate of anionic and nonionic surfactants

This study reports on the fate of linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS), alcohol ethoxylate (AE), and alcohol ether sulfate (AES) surfactants in a home septic system near Jacksonville (FL, USA) that has been used since 1976. The drainfield at this site resides in fine sand (< 6% silt and clay) with an unsaturated zone that ranges from 0 to 1.3 m. During the wettest times of the year, it is likely that effluent from the septic system passes directly into the groundwater without exposure to an unsaturated zone of soil. Groundwater was collected during two sampling events, representing seasonal high and low groundwater table levels, and analyzed for the surfactants LAS, AES, and AE. During the wet season, the unsaturated zone was approximately 0.01 m beneath the drainfield. During the dry season, the unsaturated zone was about 0.4 m below the drainfield. Alcohol ethoxylate was not detected in any groundwater samples during either sampling. Alcohol ether sulfate was not found in the dry season sampling, but traces of AES had migrated downgradient about 4.7 m horizontally and 1.8 m vertically in the wet season. Linear alkylbenzene sulfonate was detected in some dry season samples and had moved downgradient some 11.7 m horizontally and 3.7 m vertically in the wet season. These observations demonstrate that these surfactants were removed to a great extent; otherwise, they would have traveled more than 260 m downgradient, which is the calculated distance that a conservative tracer like bromide would have moved downgradient over the life of the system. The most likely removal mechanisms for these surfactants were biodegradation and sorption. Therefore, this study indicates that LAS, AE, and AES are readily removed from groundwater in soils below septic system drainfields even in situations with minimal unsaturated soil zones.     

Comparing bacterial genomes through conservation profiles

We constructed two-dimensional representations of profiles of gene conservation across different genomes using the genome of Escherichia coli as a model. These profiles permit both the visualization at the genome level of different traits in the organism studied and, at the same time, reveal features related to the genomes analyzed (such as defective genomes or genomes that lack a particular system). Conserved genes are not uniformly distributed along the E. coli genome but tend to cluster together. The study of gene distribution patterns across genomes is important for the understanding of how sets of genes seem to be dependent on each other, probably having some functional link. This provides additional evidence that can be used for the elucidation of the function of unannotated genes. Clustering these patterns produces families of genes which can be arranged in a hierarchy of closeness. In this way, functions can be defined at different levels of generality depending on the level of the hierarchy that is studied. The combined study of conservation and phenotypic traits opens up the possibility of defining phenotype/genotype associations, and ultimately inferring the gene or genes responsible for a particular trait.     

Age Progression of Neuropathological Markers in the Brain of the Chilean Rodent Octodon degus,a Natural Model of Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder and the leading cause of age‐related dementia worldwide. Several models for AD have been developed to provide information regarding the initial changes that lead to degeneration. Transgenic mouse models recapitulate many, but not all, of the features of AD, most likely because of the high complexity of the pathology. In this context, the validation of a wild‐type animal model of AD that mimics the neuropathological and behavioral abnormalities is necessary. In previous studies, we have reported that the Chilean rodent Octodon degus could represent a natural model for AD. In the present work, we further describe the age‐related neurodegeneration observed in the O. degus brain. We report some histopathological markers associated with the onset progression of AD, such as glial activation, increase in oxidative stress markers, neuronal apoptosis and the expression of the peroxisome proliferative‐activated receptor γ coactivator‐1α (PGC‐1α). With these results, we suggest that the O. degus could represent a new model for AD research and a powerful tool in the search for therapeutic strategies against AD.     

Birth in Brazil: national survey into labour and birth

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Caesarean section rates in Brazil have been steadily increasing. In 2009, for the first time, the number of children born by this type of procedure was greater than the number of vaginal births. Caesarean section is associated with a series of adverse effects on the women and newborn, and recent evidence suggests that the increasing rates of prematurity and low birth weight in Brazil are associated to the increasing rates of Caesarean section and labour induction. METHODS: Nationwide hospital-based cohort study of postnatal women and their offspring with follow-up at 45 to 60 days after birth. The sample was stratified by geographic macro-region, type of the municipality and by type of hospital governance. The number of postnatal women sampled was 23,940, distributed in 191 municipalities throughout Brazil. Two electronic questionnaires were applied to the postnatal women, one baseline face-to-face and one follow-up telephone interview. Two other questionnaires were filled with information on patients[RIGHT SINGLE QUOTATION MARK] medical records and to assess hospital facilities. The primary outcome was the percentage of Caesarean sections (total, elective and according to Robson[RIGHT SINGLE QUOTATION MARK]s groups). Secondary outcomes were: post-partum pain; breastfeeding initiation; severe/near miss maternal morbidity; reasons for maternal mortality; prematurity; low birth weight; use of oxygen use after birth and mechanical ventilation; admission to neonatal ICU; stillbirths; neonatal mortality; readmission in hospital; use of surfactant; asphyxia; severe/near miss neonatal morbidity. The association between variables were investigated using bivariate, stratified and multivariate model analyses. Statistical tests were applied according to data distribution and homogeneity of variances of groups to be compared. All analyses were taken into consideration for the complex sample design. DISCUSSION: This study, for the first time, depicts a national panorama of labour and birth outcomes in Brazil. Regardless of the socioeconomic level, demand for Caesarean section appears to be based on the belief that the quality of obstetric care is closely associated to the technology used in labour and birth. Within this context, it was justified to conduct a nationwide study to understand the reasons that lead pregnant women to submit to Caesarean sections and to verify any association between this type of birth and it's consequences on postnatal health.     

Rectosigmoid deep infiltrating endometriosis and ureteral involvement with loss of renal function

Endometriosis is a complex disease with unclear pathogenesis, defined as the presence of endometrial tissue (glands and stroma) outside its usual location in the uterine cavity. Ureteral involvement is rare, with an estimated frequency of 10-14% in cases of deep endometriosis with nodules of 3 cm or larger. An important complication of ureteral involvement is asymptomatic loss of renal function. In a patient with asymptomatic renal failure the relevance of extrinsic ureteral involvement by deep endometriosis has been taken to account. CASE REPORT: A 32-year-old nulliparous woman presented with chronic pelvic pain associated with severe dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia and digestive problems including diarrhea, occasional constipation and rectal bleeding. She reported no urological symptoms. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) identified a 4 cm nodule in the recto-vaginal septum, compressing and infiltrating the rectal wall, and chronic left hydronephrosis. Isotope renogram revealed 91% function in the right kidney and 9% in the left kidney. A multidisciplinary surgical team including consultants from the departments of digestive surgery and urology assessed the patient. The treatment recommended was a joint approach of laparoscopic surgery to perform adhesiolysis, ureterolysis, freeing of the uterus and appendages, resection of the rectovaginal septum nodule, and left nephrectomy. COMMENT: Diagnosis and treatment of deep endometriosis should be performed in specialized centers and in the context of multidisciplinary collaboration. We must be aware of the potential risk of ureteral involvement and the asymptomatic loss of renal function in any patient with endometriosis nodules of 3 cm or larger.     

Parasitic lung infection and the paediatric lung

Human parasitosis is still prevalent worldwide and causes significant morbidity and mortality in developing countries. The involvement of the lung is variable depending on the characteristics of the parasites and hosts. In malnourished and immunodeficient children, the consequences of lung parasitosis may result in significant morbidity and mortality.     

Producción científica en educación médica en Latinoamérica en Scopus, 2011-2015

Objective

To describe the scientific production in medical education in Latin America in Scopus, in the period 2011-2015.