RESUMO: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a eficácia da ação do probiótico Lactobacillus Plantarum como um agente imunomodulador e hipolipemiante em crianças e adolescentes dislipidêmicos com síndrome nefrótica. MÉTODOS: Este é um estudo randomizado, duplo-cego, controlado com placebo e realizado em pacientes pediátricos com síndrome nefrótica, compensados ou parcialmente compensados e dislipidêmicos passando por acompanhamento ambulatorial. Variações no lipídio sérico e nas citocinas TNF-α (pró-inflamatória) e IL-10 (anti-inflamatória) foram avaliadas. As citocinas foram analisadas por ensaio imunoenzimático (ELISA). RESULTADOS: No grupo probiótico, houve uma tendência de redução dos níveis de TNF-α e de aumento dos níveis de IL-10, quando comparado ao controle. Em relação ao perfil lipídico, houve uma diminuição nos níveis séricos de triglicérides (6,0 mg/dL) e colesterol total (41,5 mg/dL) no grupo probiótico em comparação aos níveis basais, enquanto no grupo de controle houve um aumento nos níveis séricos de triglicérides (49,5 mg/dL) e colesterol total (8,0 mg/dL). CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados preliminares sugerem que o L. Plantarum tem um efeito imunomodulador e hipolipemiante em pacientes pediátricos dislipidêmicos e com síndrome nefrótica.

SUMMARY This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the action of the Lactobacillus Plantarum probiotic as a immunomodulatory and hypolipidemic agent in dyslipidemic nephrotic children and adolescents. METHODS: This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial in pediatric, compensated or partially compensated nephrotic syndrome and dyslipidemic subjects undergoing regular outpatient follow-up. Serum lipid and TNF-α (proinflammatory) and IL-10 (anti-inflammatory) cytokine variations were evaluated. Cytokines were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: In the probiotic group there was a tendency to reduce TNF-α levels and increase IL-10 levels when compared to controls. Regarding the lipid profile, there was a decrease in serum triglyceride (6.0 mg / dL) and total cholesterol (41.5 mg / dL) levels in the probiotic group when compared to baseline levels, while in the control group there was an increase in serum triglyceride (49.5 mg / dL) and total cholesterol (8.0 mg / dL) levels, respectively. CONCLUSION: Preliminary results suggest that L. Plantarum showed an immunomodulatory and hypolipidemic effect in nephrotic and dyslipidemic pediatric subjects.

Nonstructural protein 4 (NSP4), encoded by group A rotavirus genome segment 10, is a multifunctional protein and the first recognized virus-encoded enterotoxin. The NSP4 gene has been sequenced, and five distinct genetic groups have been described: genotypes A-E. NSP4 genotypes A, B, and C have been detected in humans. In this study, the NSP4-encoding gene of human rotavirus strains of different G and P genotypes collected from children between 1987 and 2003 in three cities of West Central region of Brazil was characterized. NSP4 gene of 153 rotavirus-positive fecal samples was amplified by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and then sequenced. For phylogenetic analysis, NSP4 nucleotide sequences of these samples were compared to nucleotide sequences of reference strains available in GenBank. Two distinct NSP4 genotypes could be identified: 141 (92.2%) sequences clustered with NSP4 genotype B, and 12 sequences (7.8%) clustered with NSP4 genotype A. These results reinforce that further investigations are needed to assess the validity of NSP4 as a suitable target for epidemiologic surveillance of rotavirus infections and vaccine development.

This study presents data regarding the circulation of astrovirus in Goiânia-GO and Brasília-DF. These viruses were detected in fecal samples from hospitalized children up to five years old with and without acute gastroenteritis. A total of 1244 fecal samples were collected in two periods, 1994 to 1996 (Brasília) and 1998 to 2002 (Goiânia and Brasília), and were analyzed for viral RNA using the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Positivity rates of 4.3 and 0.5% for astrovirus were observed in children with acute gastroenteritis and those without gastroenteritis, respectively. Among children with gastroenteritis no statistically significant difference was seen with regards to viral positivity rates in relation to gender and age. However, a higher incidence rate was observed for children from Brasília aged 36 months or more. Overall, astroviruses occurred predominantly from September to March in the two cities, suggesting a seasonal pattern for these viruses which coincides with the highest relative air humidity period. The results of this study highlight the importance of astrovirus as an etiologic agent of acute gastroenteritis in children of the Central West region of Brazil.

A associação hidrato de cloral- hidroxizina tem sido utilizada na clínica odontológica para sedar crianças, mas sua efetividade ainda não foi comparada a um controle negativo em humanos. O objetivo deste estudo prospectivo foi avaliar o efeito dessas drogas, comparadas a um placebo, em crianças submetidas a tratamento odontológico. Trinta e cinco sessões de sedação foram realizadas em 12 crianças menores de 5 anos, não cooperativas, ASA classe I. Em cada sessão os pacientes foram aleatoriamente alocados para os grupos P (placebo), CH (hidrato de cloral 75 mg/kg) e CHH (hidrato de cloral 50 mg/kg mais hidroxizina 2,0 mg/kg). Sinais vitais e comportamento foram avaliados a cada 15 min, e comparados pelos testes de Friedman e Wilcoxon. Os grupos não apresentaram diferenças quanto às variáveis fisiológicas, exceto a freqüência respiratória. Todos sinais vitais registrados estiveram dentro de faixa aceitável. CH e CHH promoveram mais sono nos primeiros 30 min de tratamento. O comportamento geral foi melhor em CH e CHH do que em P. CH, CHH e P foram efetivos em 62,5%, 61,5% e 11,1% dos casos, respectivamente. O hidrato de cloral foi seguro e relativamente efetivo, levando a resultados fisiológicos e comportamentais melhores que o placebo.

Chloral hydrate and hydroxyzine are a drug combination frequently used by practitioners to sedate pediatric dental patients, but their effectiveness has not been compared to a negative control group in humans. The aim of this crossover, double-blinded study was to evaluate the effect of these drugs compared to a placebo, administered to young children for dental treatment. Thirty-five dental sedation sessions were carried out on 12 uncooperative ASA I children aged less than 5 years old. In each session patients were randomly assigned to groups P (placebo), CH (chloral hydrate 75 mg/kg) and CHH (chloral hydrate 50 mg/kg plus hydroxyzine 2.0 mg/kg). Vital signs and behavioral variables were evaluated every 15 min. Comparisons were statistically analyzed using Friedman and Wilcoxon tests. P, CH and CHH had no differences concerning vital signs, except for breathing rate. All vital signs were in the normal range. CH and CHH promoted more sleep in the first 30 min of treatment. Overall behavior was better in CH and CHH than in P. CH, CHH and P were effective in 62.5%, 61.5% and 11.1% of the cases, respectively. Chloral hydrate was safe and relatively effective, causing more satisfactory behavioral and physiological outcomes than a placebo.

The objective of this study was to describe the circulation of caliciviruses in the West Central region of Brazil and its correlation with children's gender and age, as well as with the year and months of the sample collection. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction was performed to detect the human calicivirus genome in 1006 fecal samples that were collected in Goiânia (n = 696) and Brasília (n = 310). Viral RNA was detected in 8.6% of the samples. No significant difference in viral prevalence was found regarding gender, age or year of the sample. However, it was observed that in Goiânia, there is a higher incidence of caliciviruses from September to March. The analysis employing three primer pairs demonstrated that the Ni/E3 or JV12/13 primer pairs, which detect norovirus (NoV), detected 41 positive samples while the 289/290 primer pair, which detects NoV or sapovirus, detected the remaining 46 samples. Calicivirus circulates in the West Central region of Brazil and for better detection of this virus it is important to use more than one primer pair. Also, we conclude that the seasonality presented by this virus is related to higher humidity in the period.

Há controvérsias quanto aos benefícios do midazolam na sedação de crianças durante a atenção odontológica. Conduziu-se um ensaio clínico controlado, cruzado e duplo-cego para comparar o efeito sedativo em Odontopediatria da administração oral do midazolam, associado ou não à hidroxizina. Trinta e sete sessões foram realizadas em 11 crianças menores de cinco anos, ASA I. Em cada atendimento, os pacientes receberam aleatoriamente o medicamento conforme os grupos: P - placebo, M - midazolam (1,0 mg/kg); MH - midazolam (0,75 mg/kg) associado à hidroxizina (2,0 mg/kg). Os sinais vitais (pressão arterial, freqüência respiratória, pulso e saturação de oxigênio) e os parâmetros comportamentais (consciência, choro, movimento, comportamento geral) foram avaliados a cada 15 minutos. As comparações entre grupos e entre momentos de atendimento num mesmo grupo foram estabelecidas estatisticamente através dos testes Friedman e Wilcoxon. Os grupos P, M e MH não diferiram quanto aos sinais vitais, os quais se mantiveram dentro de valores aceitáveis. A freqüência cardíaca aumentou nos grupos P e M com o transcorrer da sessão. O grupo M esteve associado a menos choro e movimento nos primeiros 15 minutos de tratamento. O grupo MH apresentou mais sonolência no início da sessão. O comportamento geral foi melhor em M do que em P e MH. M produziu sedação efetiva em 77% dos casos, e MH em 30,8%. Concluiu-se que o midazolam foi efetivo e seguro, e que sua associação à hidroxizina não repercutiu em vantagens adicionais na sedação odontopediátrica.

The effectiveness of oral midazolam in pediatric dentistry is controversial. This randomized, controlled, crossover, double blind clinical trial was conducted in order to study the effect of midazolam, used either alone or in association with hydroxyzine, during child dental treatment. Thirty seven dental sedation sessions were carried out on 11 ASA I uncooperative children less than five years-old. In each appointment children were randomly assigned to groups: P - placebo, M - midazolam (1.0 mg/kg), or MH - midazolam (0.75 mg/kg) plus hydroxyzine (2.0 mg/kg). Vital signs (blood pressure, breathing rate, pulse and oxygen saturation) and behavior parameters (consciousness, crying, movement, overall behavior) were evaluated every 15 minutes. Friedman and Wilcoxon statistical tests were used to compare groups and different moments in the same group. Normal values of vital signs were usually registered. Heart rate increased in groups P and M as the session went on. Group M presented less crying and movement at the first 15 minutes of treatment. Group MH caused more drowsiness at the beginning of the session. Overall behavior was better in group M than in groups P or MH. Group M produced effective sedation in 77% of the cases, and group MH did so in 30.8%. It was concluded that midazolam was effective and safe, and its association with hydroxyzine did not lead to additional advantages in pediatric dental sedation.