Objective: To evaluate the nutritional status of crack users and to analyze its correlation with drug use profiles. Methods: Cross-sectional study with 108 crack users. Anthropometric data were assessed through body mass index (BMI) and bioimpedance (BIA) measurements. A blood test to analyze hematocrit, hemoglobin, glucose, and lipid profiles was also performed. Crack use was determined through a standardized interview. Results: Based on BMI and BIA, most individuals were eutrophic (about 70%). Regarding hematological parameters, we found that hemoglobin and hematocrit levels were below normal for 32.4 and 30.6% of patients, respectively. Considering normal parameters, a large part of the sample (60.2%) had low levels of HDL cholesterol and high levels of triglycerides (38%). There were no significant correlations between drug profile and nutritional variables. Conclusion: This is a pioneering study that examines the nutritional status of crack users. Our results showed that most crack users present normal anthropometric findings and the prevalence of underweight is low. However, blood analysis showed changes and a specific type of malnutrition.

Desmodium raymundoramirezii L. Torres-Colín y A. Delgado is here described and illustrated. Plants of this taxon were found growing in oak-pine, and pine forests and in transitional areas of both with montane cloud forest of Sierra Madre del Sur in the Mexican states of Guerrero and Oaxaca. This species is morphologically similar to D. cordistipulum Hemsl. forma cordistipulum, both with lanceolate leaflets and amplexicaul stipules, but differs from it by occasionally developing 5 leaflets per leaf (attribute not known in Mexican Desmodium species), rachis longer than petiole, flowers 3-5 per node, and loments usually flat with the margins alternately revolute and involute when immature. These differences were supported by molecular evidence.

Se describe e ilustra Desmodium raymundoramirezii L. Torres-Colín y A. Delgado. Las plantas de este taxón fueron recolectadas creciendo en bosque de Pinus-Quercus, bosque de Pinus y zonas de ecotonía con bosque mesófilo en la sierra Madre del Sur, en los estados de Guerrero y Oaxaca, México. Morfológicamente y en estado vegetativo es muy parecida a D. cordistipulum Hemsl. forma cordistipulum, por los folíolos lanceolados y las estípulas amplexicaules, pero se diferencia de esta por desarrollar en ocasiones 5 folíolos, atributo nunca antes visto en especies mexicanas del género, por el raquis más largo que el pecíolo, 3-5 flores por nudo y lomentos generalmente planos con los márgenes revolutos e involutos cuando inmaduros; diferencias también apoyadas por evidencia molecular.

OBJETIVOS: Verificar as alterações da composição corporal e de parâmetros antropométricos de dependentes de crack internados para tratamento da adição. MÉTODOS: Estudo de coorte prospectivo, com 40 voluntários masculinos dependentes de crack, de 18 a 60 anos, em tratamento. Foram aferidos parâmetros antropométricos e de composição corporal, por meio de bioimpedância elétrica, na internação e alta hospitalar. RESULTADOS: Com idade média de 29,3 ± 6,9 anos, os pacientes tiveram, durante a abstinência, aumento de peso de 7,6 ± 3,7 kg; 11,6 ± 6,4% do peso corporal; 5,6 ± 4,2 cm de circunferência de cintura. Houve aumento de 4,2 ± 3,2 kg de gordura, 3,5 ± 3,0 kg de massa magra e de 2,5 ± 2,6 litros de água. Ao se internarem, 75% estavam eutróficos, 17,5% apresentavam sobrepeso e 5% apresentavam desnutrição, valores que, na alta, se alteraram para 50% de eutrofia e 47,6% de sobrepeso (IMC - Índice de Massa Corporal). Observou-se que a média de ganho de peso foi maior nas duas primeiras semanas de internação. CONCLUSÃO: Ao longo da internação, foram identificados ganho de peso e alterações de composição corporal e nos parâmetros antropométricos dos pacientes, refletindo em migração da eutrofia para o sobrepeso em parcela expressiva deles.

OBJECTIVES: Verify the alterations of body composition and of anthropometric parameters in crack addicted patients, hospitalized for addiction treatment. METHODS: Cohort prospective studies, with 40 crack addicted male volunteers, 18 to 60 years old, in treatment. Anthropometric parameters and body composition were measured, through bioelectric impedance analysis, within the hospital and at discharge. RESULTS: With an average age 29.3 ± 6.9 years, the patients have had, during abstinence, a weight gain of 7.6 ± 3.7 kg; 11.6 ± 6.4% of body weight; 5.6 ± 4.2 cm of waist circumference. There was an increase of 4.2 ± 3.2 kg of fat (obesity); 3.5 ± 3.0 kg of lean body mass and 2.5 ± 2.6 liters of water. When hospitalized, 17.5% of the patients presented overweight and 5% were malnourished, values that, at discharge, altered to 50% of eutrophy and 47.6% of overweight (BMI - Body Mass Index). It was observed that the average of weight gain increased in the first two weeks of hospitalization. CONCLUSION: During hospitalization a weight gain was identified as well as alterations in body composition and in anthropometric parameters of patients, resulting in migration from eutrophy to overweight, in an expressive group.

Two allelic genomic fragments containing ribosomal protein S4 encoding genes (rpS4) from Trypanosoma cruzi (CL-Brener strain) were isolated and characterized. One allele comprises two complete tandem repeats of a sequence encoding an rpS4 gene. In the other, only one rpS4 gene is found. Sequence comparison to the accessed data in the genome project database reveals that our two-copy allele corresponds to a variant haplotype. However, the deduced aminoacid sequence of all the gene copies is identical. The rpS4 transcripts processing sites were determined by comparison of genomic sequences with published cDNA data. The obtained sequence data demonstrates that rpS4 genes are expressed in epimastigotes, amastigotes, and trypomastigotes. A recombinant version of rpS4 was found to be an antigenic: it was recognized by 62.5% of the individuals with positive serology for T. cruzi and by 93.3% of patients with proven chronic chagasic disease.