Resumo O objetivo do presente estudo foi comparar diferentes técnicas para a contagem de fungos filamentosos em molhos de tomate industrializados, comercializados no Brasil. Para isso, foram colhidas 42 amostras do produto do tipo “molho de tomate tradicional”, de 21 marcas diferentes, comercializadas em supermercados do município de Bauru-SP, no período de abril a junho de 2016. A contagem de filamentos micelianos pelo método de Howard foi realizada segundo a metodologia oficial, recomendada pela Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC), aplicando-se as técnicas 965.41 e 945.92. Notadamente, a aplicação da técnica 945.92, que utiliza hidróxido de sódio (NaOH) para eliminar o amido presente nas amostras, facilitou a contagem das hifas e, consequentemente, as porcentagens de campos positivos observadas foram significativamente maiores (mediana = 10%), quando comparadas com as porcentagens obtidas após a utilização da técnica 965.41 (mediana = 6%) (p < 0,001). Nossos achados apontam a necessidade de se ampliar a discussão sobre a aplicação de diferentes técnicas para a contagem de fungos filamentosos em molhos de tomate industrializados, especialmente no Brasil e em outros países que não proíbem a adição de amido nesse tipo de produto.

Abstract The objective of this study was to compare different techniques for counting mould filaments in industrialized tomato sauces available on the Brazilian market. In order to do so, 42 samples of the product “traditional tomato sauce” (from 21 different brands), sold in supermarkets in the municipality of the city of Bauru, Brazil, were collected during the period from April to June, 2016. The mycelial moulds were counted by the Howard method according to the official methodology recommended by the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC), applying techniques 965.41 and 945.92. Notably, the application of technique 945.92 using sodium hydroxide (NaOH) to eliminate the starch in the samples, facilitated counting of the hyphae and, consequently, the percentages of positive fields observed were significantly higher (median = 10%) when compared with the percentages obtained after using technique 965.41 (median = 6%) (p < 0.001). The present findings reveal the need to expand the discussion concerning the application of different techniques for the counting of mould filaments in industrialized tomato sauces, especially in Brazil and in other countries that do not prohibit the addition of starch to this kind of product.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar a demanda de assistência do cuidador nas habilidades funcionais de autocuidado nas crianças com baixa visão. Métodos: Participaram 14 crianças com idade entre dois e três anos, ambos sexos, divididas em dois grupos: baixa visão e visão normal. O Inventário de Avaliação Pediátrica de Incapacidade (PEDI) foi aplicado especificamente às partes I (habilidades funcionais) e II (assistência do cuidador) na área de autocuidado. Resultados: Não houve diferença significativa entre crianças com baixa visão e visão normal nas habilidades funcionais (t=0,655; p=0,525) e nível de assistência do cuidador (t=0,902; p=0,385). Porém, houve correlação forte e positiva entre as partes I e II no autocuidado para crianças com baixa visão (r=+0,924; p=0,003) e moderada e positiva para as com visão normal (r=+0,790; p=0,035). Conclusão: A demanda de assistência do cuidador nas habilidades funcionais de autocuidado de crianças com baixa visão, entre dois a três anos de idade, está dentro dos padrões de normalidade do PEDI, apresentando bom desempenho funcional, com auxílio de moderada à mínima.

ABSTRACT Objective: To assess the caregiver assistance demand in the functional self-care skills in children with low vision. Methods: Fourteen children aged between two and three years, both genders, were allocated into two groups, low vision and normal vision. The Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) was applied specifically to parties I (functional skills) and II (caregiver assistance) in the selfcare area. Results: There was no significant difference between children with low vision and normal vision in the functional skills (t=0,655; p=0,525) and caregiver assistance level (t=0,902; p=0,385). However, there was strong and position correlation between parties I and II in the self-care for children with low vision (r=+0,924; p=0,003) and moderate and position normal vision (r=+0,790; p=0,035). Conclusion: The caregiver assistance demand in the self-care functional skills in children with low vision, between age two to three years, is within the normal standards of the PEDI, showing good functional performance, with the assistance of moderate to minimum.

ABSTRACT Dengue is an arboviral infection clinically recognized as an acute and self-limited disease. Persistence of dengue symptoms is known, but it has been little studied. The aim of this study was to characterize persistent symptoms in 113 patients with dengue followed up clinically and by laboratory testing at a tertiary hospital. Symptoms that persisted for more than 14 days were observed in 61 (54.0%) patients, and six (6.2%) of them had symptoms for 6 months or more. The persistent symptoms identified were myalgia, weakness, hair loss, memory loss, reduced resistance to physical effort, headache, reasoning problems, arthralgia, sleepiness- and emotional lability. The progression to persistent symptoms was significantly associated with hospitalization, older age, more severe disease, the presence of bleeding and comorbidities upon univariate analysis. Upon multivariate analysis, the presence of persistent symptoms continued to be significantly associated only with increased age and dengue with warning signs. The platelet count during the acute phase of the disease was significantly lower in the group with persistent symptoms. In conclusion, the frequency of progression to persistent symptoms in dengue is relevant in patients seen at a tertiary hospital and the persistence of symptoms is more common in patients with dengue with warning signs.

RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar e correlacionar a influência dos estímulos presentes no ambiente domiciliar nas habilidades funcionais e no nível de assistência do cuidador na mobilidade de crianças com baixa visão e visão normal. Métodos: Participaram sete crianças com diagnóstico de baixa visão (32,29 ± 7,09 meses) e sete com visão normal (31,57 ± 6,90 meses). Os instrumentos utilizados foram Affordances in the Home Environment for Motor Development - Self Report (AHEMD-SR) e Inventário de Avaliação Pediátrica de Incapacidade (PEDI) referente à parte I (habilidades funcionais) e II (assistência do cuidador) da área de mobilidade. Resultados: De acordo com o PEDI, não houve diferença significativa entre crianças com baixa visão e visão normal nas habilidades funcionais (U=13,5; p=0,076) e na assistência do cuidador (U=13,0; p=0,083) na área de mobilidade, porém houve correlação moderada (r=+0,756; p=0,049) entre as partes I e II para crianças com baixa visão. No AHEMD-SR, crianças com baixa visão apresentaram diferenças significativas nas subescalas: motricidade fina (U=7,5; p=0,024), motricidade grossa (U=7,5; p=0,024) e AHEMD total (U=8,0; p=0,035). Porém ambas receberam a classificação "média" para as oportunidades de estimulação do ambiente domiciliar. Conclusão: O ambiente domiciliar das crianças com baixa visão apresentou razoáveis oportunidades de estímulos, no entanto seu desempenho estava dentro dos padrões de normalidade para as habilidades funcionais e assistência do cuidador em mobilidade.

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyse and correlate the influence of the present affordances in the home environment in the functional skills and the level of caregiver assistance for the mobility of children with low vision and normal vision. Methods: Participated seven children with low vision diagnosis (32.29 ± 7.09 months) and seven with normal vision (31.57 ± 6.90 months). The instruments used were Affordances in the Home Environment for Motor Development - Self Report (AHEMD-SR) and Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) relative to the parties I (functional skills) and II (caregiver assistance) for the mobility area. Results: According to PEDI, there was no significant difference between children with low vision and normal vision in functional skills (U=13.5; p=0.076) and caregiver assistance (U=13.0; p=0.083) in the mobility area, however there was moderate correlation (r=+0.756; p=0.049) between the parties I and II for children with low vision. In AHEMD-SR, children with low vision showed significant differences in the subscales: fine-motor (U=7.5; p=0.024), gross-motor (U=7.5; p=0.024), and AHEMD total (U=8.0; p=0.035). However, both children received classification "average" for the affordances in the home environment. Conclusion: Children with low vision showed no differences in functional skills and caregiver assistance in the mobility. And the home environment offered reasonable affordances, which favored the functional skills and caregiver´s assistance in the mobility.

OBJECTIVES: To establish cut-off values for growth hormone concentrations using clonidine as a secretagogue and an immunochemiluminescent assay as the method of measurement and to analyze the response time as well as the influence of gender, nutritional status and pubertal stage. METHODS: A total of 225 tests were performed in 3 patient groups, categorized as group 1 (normal), group 2 (idiopathic short stature) and group 3 (growth hormone deficiency). Among the 199 disease-free individuals, 138 were prepubertal, and 61 were pubertal. Clonidine (0.1 mg/m2) was orally administered, and the growth hormone level was measured by immunochemiluminescent assay. The growth hormone peak and the difference between the growth hormone peak and the baseline level were then analyzed. Statistical analyses were performed using Student’s t-test or the Mann-Whitney test and Kruskal-Wallis test followed by Dunn’s post hoc test. Cut-off values were determined using a receiver operating characteristic curve. RESULTS: Group 1 and group 2 had no difference in growth hormone peak, gender, body mass index standard deviation score, or pubertal stage. Group 3 exhibited a significantly lower growth hormone peak than the other groups did. The receiver operating characteristic curve demonstrated that growth hormone concentrations ≥ 3.0 ng/mL defined responsiveness to clonidine. In total, 3.02% of individuals in group 1 and group 2 were considered false positive, i.e., these children lacked growth hormone deficiency and had a peak below 3.0 ng/mL. CONCLUSION: Clonidine-stimulated growth hormone concentrations ≥3 ng/mL, as measured by immunochemiluminescent assay, suggest responsiveness to the stimulus regardless of gender, body mass index standard deviation score or pubertal stage.

OBJETIVOS:Identificar a frequência do polimorfismo no gene IL-10, rs1800896 (-1082 A/G), em mulheres com pré-eclâmpsia (PE) e em mulheres do grupo controle e associar a presença deste polimorfismo com a proteção contra o desenvolvimento da PE.MÉTODOS:Estudo do tipo caso-controle, no qual foram selecionadas 54 mulheres com PE, classificadas de acordo com os critérios da National High Blood Pressure Education Program e 172 mulheres do grupo controle, com pelo menos duas gestações saudáveis. O polimorfismo proposto foi estudado utilizando-se a técnica de reação em cadeia da polimerase em tempo real (qPCR), com sondas de hidrólise. A análise estatística foi realizada utilizando-se o teste de associação do χ2. Odds ratio e seu intervalo de confiança de 95% foram usados para medir a força de associação entre o polimorfismo estudado e o desenvolvimento da PE.RESULTADOS:Foi observado aumento significativo da frequência do genótipo AG entre mulheres do grupo controle (85 versus 15% nas mulheres com PE). O alelo G é significativamente mais frequente entre as mulheres do grupo controle do que nas com PE (Teste χ2; p=0,01). Oodds ratio para as portadoras do alelo G foi de 2, 13, indicando que apresentam menor risco de desenvolver PE do que as não portadoras.CONCLUSÕES:Sugere-se associação entre a presença do alelo G do polimorfismo no geneIL-10, rs1800896 (-1082 A/G), e a proteção contra o desenvolvimento da PE. Mais estudos sobre a contribuição dessas variações e os mecanismos pelos quais afetam o risco de desenvolver PE ainda necessitam de ser realizadas.

PURPOSE:To identify the frequency of polymorphism in the IL-10 gene, rs1800896 (-1082 A/G), in women with preeclampsia (PE) and in women in a control group and to associate the presence of this polymorphism with protection against the development of PE.METHODS:This was a case-control study conducted on 54 women with PE, classified according to the criteria of the National High Blood Pressure Education Program, and on 172 control women with at least two healthy pregnancies. The proposed polymorphism was studied by the technique of real time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), with hydrolysis probes. Statistical analysis was performed using the χ2 test. Odds ratio and confidence interval of 95% were used to measure the strength of association between the studied polymorphism and the development of PE.RESULTS:Statistically increased frequency of the AG genotype was observed among control women (85 versus 15% in women with PE). The G allele was significantly more frequent among control women than PE women (χ2test, p = 0.01). The odds ratio for carriers of the G allele was 2.13, indicating a lower risk of developing PE compared to non-carriers.CONCLUSIONS:Thus, an association is suggested to occur between the presence of the G allele of the polymorphism in the IL-10 rs1800896 (-1082 A/G) gene and protection against the development of PE. More studies investigating the contribution of these variations and the mechanisms by which they affect the risk of developing PE still need to be undertaken.

Este trabalho avaliou a possibilidade da inoculação e reinoculação de um tripanossomatídeo isolado de morcego, morfológica, biológica e molecularmente semelhante ao Trypanosoma cruzi, na proteção contra a infecção por cepas virulentas. Camundongos não-isogênicos foram divididos em 24 grupos, que receberam de zero a três inóculos da cepa RM1 de Trypanosoma cruzi-like, na presença ou ausência de adjuvante de Freund e desafiados com as cepas de Trypanosoma cruzi VIC ou JG. Acompanhou-se a parasitemia e a sobrevida e os camundongos foram sacrificados para análise histopatológica. Os animais imunizados com a cepa RM1 de Trypanosoma cruzi-like apresentaram redução da parasitemia, independente do número de inóculos ou presença de adjuvante. Apesar dessa redução, os animais não apresentaram proteção contra lesões histopatológicas e observaram-se intensos infiltrados eosinofílicos que foram correlacionados com o número de inóculos da cepa RM1 de Trypanosoma cruzi-like. Sugere-se que a inoculação prévia dessa cepa, ao invés de proteger contra a infecção, agravou o processo inflamatório tecidual.

This study evaluated the possibility of inoculation and reinoculation with a trypanosomatid isolated from bats that is morphologically, biologically and molecularly similar to Trypanosoma cruzi, to protect against infection by virulent strains. Non-isogenic mice were divided into 24 groups that received from zero to three inoculations of Trypanosoma cruzi-like strain RM1, in the presence or absence of Freund's adjuvant, and were challenged with the VIC or JG strains of Trypanosoma cruzi. Parasitemia and survival were monitored and animals were sacrificed for histopathological analysis. Animals immunized with Trypanosoma cruzi-like strain RM1 presented decreased parasitemia, independently of the number of inoculations or the presence of adjuvant. In spite of this reduction, these animals did not present any protection against histopathological lesions. Severe eosinophilic infiltrate was observed and was correlated with the number of inoculations of Trypanosoma cruzi-like strain RM1. These findings suggest that prior inoculation with this strain did not protect against infection but, rather, aggravated the tissue inflammatory process.