Introduction. Abnormal early growth patterns have been associated with overweight and other related diseases along the life course. Objective. To analyze the association between changes in growth patterns and nutrition status during the second semester of life and blood pressure (BP), according to weight for gestational age (GE), and early dietary patterns, in a sample of healthy children. Methods. Prospective study from a sample of healthy children followed between 6-12 months of age, between 10/07 and 3/08 at Hospital P. Elizalde. Gender, weight and gestational age at birth, weight, height and body mass index (BMI, WHO ref.) at 6, 9 and 12 months, length of breastfeeding, and blood pressure (BP) at 12 months of age were assessed. Results. One hundred twenty infants were follow- up. Variation in standardized BMI between 6-12 months of age is the main predictor of BMI at 12 months of age (R2 0.12; Coef b 0.34; error estándar 0.11; p 0.006). The interaction term between length of breastfeeding and small for gestational age is the main predictor of changes in BMI between 6-12 months of age (R2 0.11; Coef b -0.15; error estándar 0.04, p < 0.001). Each standardized unit increment in BMI implies an increase of 1.76 mmHg in diastolic blood pressure at one year. Conclusion. Length of gestation, birth weight and early feeding patterns are associated with weight gain during the first year of life, which is linked at the same time to BMI and BP. The positive change in BMI was associated with shorter duration of breastfeeding and this in turn to higher blood pressure at one year.

Introducción. Las alteraciones en el crecimiento temprano se asocian con diferentes condiciones adversas en el curso de la vida. Objetivo. Analizar la asociación entre variación en el estado nutricional durante el segundo semestre de la vida y tensión arterial al año de vida, según condiciones al nacer y patrones alimentarios en una cohorte de niños sanos. Población y métodos. Estudio prospectivo de una cohorte de niños sanos seguidos entre los 6 y 12 meses de edad, entre octubre/2007 y marzo/ 08 en el Hospital Pedro de Elizalde. Se valoró peso y edad gestacional al nacer, peso, talla e índice de masa corporal (IMC) a los 6, 9 y 12 meses, duración de lactancia materna y tensión arterial a los 12 meses de edad. Resultados. Se estudiaron 120 niños que completaron el seguimiento. La variación en el valor estandarizado de IMC entre 6-12 meses de edad constituye el único predictor de IMC a los 12 meses (R2 0,12; Coef b 0,34; error estándar 0,11; p 0,006). La interacción entre duración de lactancia materna y bajo peso para la edad gestacional constituye el principal predictor de la variación de IMC (R2 0,11; Coef b -0,15; error estándar 0,04, p < 0,001). El incremento en una unidad estandarizada de IMC al año implica un incremento en 1,76 mmHg de tensión arterial diastólica. Conclusión. El aumento en el IMC se vinculó con menor duración de la lactancia materna. Tal variación se asocia con mayor IMC al año de edad y éste, a su vez, con mayor tensión arterial.

The influence of Fe3O4 and BaTiO3 on dielectric and magnetic properties of Fe3O4/BaTiO3/epoxy composites was studied. Initially, biphasic Fe3O4/epoxy and BaTiO3/epoxy composites were analyzed, and based on these results Fe3O4/BaTiO3/epoxy composite were conformed. In all the cases, dielectric properties were influenced by the frequency and filler concentration. In this way, Fe3O4/epoxy composites with high filler concentration showed high dielectric loss due to percolation effects and semiconducting properties of Fe3O4.

Con el objetivo de estudiar nuevos materiales multipropósito, en este trabajo se analizó la influencia de las partículas de Fe3O4 y BaTiO3 sobre las propiedades magnéticas y dieléctricas de los sistemas Fe3O4/BaTiO3/epoxi. A tal efecto se analizaron los sistemas bifásicos Fe3O4/epoxi y BaTiO3/epoxi y a partir del análisis de los resultados se conformaron los compuestos Fe3O4/BaTiO3/epoxi. En todos los casos los valores de permitividad y pérdidas dieléctricas fueron altamente influenciados por el contenido de carga. En este sentido, los materiales procesados con Fe3O4 presentaron muy elevadas pérdidas dieléctricas para altas concentraciones de carga debido a efectos de percolación y a las propiedades semiconductoras del Fe3O4.

Using biotechnology to increase the growth rates of fish is likely to reduce production costs per unit of food. Among vertebrates, fish appear to occupy a unique position, when growth patterns are considered. With few exceptions, fish species tend to grow indeterminately, implying that size is never fixed. Both hyperplasia and hypertrophy contribute to post-larval muscle growth in fish. Growth hormone (GH) - Insulin-like Growth Factor I (IGF-I) is the most important growth axis in fish. Our experimental model, the pejerrey, Odontesthes bonariensis (Ateriniformes) is a South American inland water fish considered to be a promising species for intensive aquaculture. However, one major drawback to achieve this goal is its slow growth in captivity. In order to understand how growth is regulated in this species, our first objective was to characterized pejerrey GH- IGF-I axis. We first cloned and characterized pejerrey (pj) GH, IGF-I and the growth hormone receptors (GHRs) I and II. In addition to providing valuable data for evolutionary comparison of GH, investigation of GH action in teleosts is particularly important because of its potential application in aquaculture. GH can not only promote the somatic growth in fish but also lower dietary protein requirements. A prerequisite for providing sufficient amounts of GH for basic research and aquaculture application is a large-scale production of GH. For that purpose, recombinant pjGH was expressed in a bacterial system. Protocols for solubilization and proper folding were achieved. Activity of recombinant pjGH was assessed in fish by measuring the liver IGF-I response to different doses of GH. IGF-I transcript was measured in the liver after pjGHr in vivo stimulation by means of quantitative real-time PCR assays. A dose-dependent response of IGF-I mRNA was observed after pjGHr administration, and reached a 6 fold IGF-I maximum increase over control group when 2.5 µg pjGH /g-body weight were injected. Temporal analysis of hepatic IGF-I mRNA levels showed that administration of a single dose of pjGHr into juvenile pejerrey resulted in a significant increase (P<0.02) 9 hours post injection. These results demonstrates that recombinant pjGH could promote a dramatic response in liver, increasing the IGF-I mRNA level. We also study the effect of GH on muscle growth after oral administration. A significant association between GH doses and mean fiber area (MFA) was observed even with a caloric restrictive diet. MFA increased 3.7 µm² per each unit of GH supplied indicating that GH promoted white muscle hypertrophy. These preliminary data indicates that GH could be absorbed by the intestine in an active form and promote somatic growth.

The APS is the association of autoimmune endocrine diseases, with other non-endocrine autoimmune disorders, named mayor and minor components. This syndrome was classified in 4 types. The alterations of the immune response cause regulatory faults; and HLA polymorphisms, among others; taken in conjunction with acquired or permanent factors, these represent triggers of autoimmunity. Our objective was to find out the association of HLA-DRB1*-DQB1* in individuals belonging to two families, with diagnosis in at least one of them APS, or with isolated autoimmune diseases. To determine serum antibodies: a21-OH, aGAD and aTPO and to observe the association with HLA haplotype. We have studied parents and offspring of two families, two members who suffered APS type 2 and 3, and others with autoimmune diseases. We have looked for HLA-DRB1*-DQB1* and quantified a21-OH, aTPO and aGAD. Patients with APS 2 and 3 showed HLA-DRB1*0301-DQB1*0201. Among the population we have studied, 5/9 had this HLA haplotype and at least one positive auto antibody. We have found the genetic factor in 2/3 of the members with autoimmune diseases corresponding to greater components. The observed relation between APS and HLA-DRB1*0301-DQB1*0201, increases the possibility of identifying people at risk of catching autoimmune affections in familiar groups in which at least one member suffers APS.

El APS es la asociación de enfermedades endocrinas autoinmunes, con otros desórdenes autoinmunes no endocrinos, denominados componentes mayores y menores. Este síndrome se clasificó en 4 tipos. Las alteraciones de la respuesta inmune provocan fallas regulatorias de la misma; y polimorfismos de HLA, entre otros, sumado a factores adquiridos o permanentes, representan gatillos disparadores de la autoinmunidad. Nuestro objetivo fue buscar la asociación de HLA-DRB1*-DQB1* en individuos pertenecientes a dos familias, con diagnóstico en uno o más de ellos de APS, o con enfermedades autoinmunes aisladas. Determinar los anticuerpos séricos: a21-OH, aGAD y aTPO y observar la asociación con el haplotipo HLA. Estudiamos padres e hijos de dos familias, dos integrantes padecían APS tipo 2 y 3; y otros con enfermedades autoinmunes. Buscamos HLA-DRB1*-DQB1* y cuantificamos a21-OH, aTPO y aGAD. Los pacientes con APS 2 y 3 presentaron el HLA-DRB1*0301-DQB1*0201. De los individuos estudiados, 5/9 tenían este haplotipo HLA y al menos un autoanticuerpo positivo. Hallamos el factor genético en 2/3 de los integrantes con enfermedades autoinmunes correspondientes a componentes mayores. La relación observada, entre APS y HLA-DRB1*0301-DQB1*0201, aumenta la posibilidad de identificar personas en riesgo de contraer afecciones autoinmunes en grupos familiares, en los cuales algún integrante padece APS.

O presente trabalho apresenta uma metodologia de investigação das eficácias das políticas públicas voltadas para redes de segurança alimentar que foram formadas nos municípios brasileiros em torno do principal objetivo de elevar as condições de renda e de emprego na agricultura familiar. Esses programas necessitam aprofundar as metodologias de investigação de suas eficácias para que, a partir daí, possam entrar em uma nova etapa de aperfeiçoamento e utilização de ferramentas de gestão e, conse-qüentemente, de resultados de inclusão social e/ou segurança alimentar. Assim, este artigo constitui um primeiro esforço de reunir indicadores de avaliações das eficácias dessas políticas públicas.

This work presents a methodology for investigating the performance of public politics regarding food security networks formed in Brazilian municipalities aimed at increasing income and employment in familiar farming. These programs need to further develop the methodologies used for studying their efficiency so that they can reach a new stage in the improvement and use of management tools thereby achieving beteer results of social inclusion and/or food security. This paper constitutes a first effort to bring together indicators for the evaluation of the efficiency of public politicies.