Brazilian teenagers and beer advertising: relationship between exposure, positive response, and alcohol consumption

Brazilian teenagers report problematic patterns of alcohol consumption. Alcohol advertising strategies are one of the main factors influencing adolescents' alcohol consumption. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between positive responses to TV beer commercials, exposure, and alcohol consumption. Thirty-two recent TV commercials were shown to 133 high school students from public schools in São Bernardo do Campo, São Paulo State, Brazil. The subjects recorded how well they liked the ads and how often they had already watched each commercial. The teenagers also reported their alcohol consumption rates. The ten commercials analyzed in this article were the five most popular and the five least popular. The analysis showed that subjects had already seen the five most popular ads, but not the five least popular. In addition, the five most popular ads received higher scores from teenagers that reported having consumed beer during the previous month. The study found a positive relationship between enjoying beer advertising and exposure to beer ads, as well as between alcohol consumption and positive responses to alcohol commercials.No Brasil, evidências epidemiológicas entre jovens e adolescentes indicam preocupante padrão de consumo de álcool. Entre os fatores que influenciam o consumo dos mais jovens estão as estratégias de publicidade. Pretendeu-se avaliar a relação entre apreciação das propagandas televisivas de cerveja, exposição a essas propagandas e consumo de álcool entre adolescentes. Trinta e duas propagandas recentes foram exibidas a 133 estudantes, de 1º e 2º anos do Ensino Médio de escolas públicas de São Bernardo do Campo, São Paulo, Brasil. Para cada propaganda, atribuíram notas (0 a 10) representando a apreciação e quantas vezes já tinham assistido cada uma anteriormente (exposição). Responderam se consumiam álcool e com qual freqüência. Dez das 32 propagandas foram incluídas na análise estatística (as cinco mais e as cinco menos apreciadas). As cinco propagandas mais apreciadas já tinham sido assistidas anteriormente, o que não ocorreu com as menos pontuadas. Ademais, entre as cinco mais apreciadas, notas estatisticamente maiores foram atribuídas pelos adolescentes que consumiram cerveja no último mês. O estudo encontrou uma relação positiva entre apreciação e exposição, bem como com o consumo de álcool.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Departamento de PsiquiatriaUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Departamento de Medicina PreventivaUNIFESP, Depto. de PsiquiatriaUNIFESP, Depto. de Medicina PreventivaSciEL

Limites térmicos para a germinação em função da origem de sementes de espécies de Eugenia (Myrtaceae) nativas do Brasil

A germinação das sementes é dependente de numerosos fatores abióticos, dentre os quais a temperatura figura entre os principais. No presente estudo analisou-se o comportamento germinativo de sementes de E. brasiliensis, E. involucrata, E. pyriformis e E. uniflora em resposta a diferentes condições de luz e temperatura, incluindo-se o cálculo da soma térmica durante o desenvolvimento e maturação das sementes. Os resultados demonstraram que a germinação de sementes e o desenvolvimento de plântulas normais ocorreram adequadamente na faixa de 20 ºC a 30 ºC. Nessa faixa, as sementes foram indiferentes à luz e à alternância de temperatura para a germinação. Especifi camente para Eugenia pyriformis, avaliaram-se temperaturas superiores a 30 ºC e inferiores a 20 ºC, verifi cando-se que as sementes germinaram na faixa térmica de 10 ºC a 35 ºC, mas não a 5 ºC e a 40 ºC; os maiores valores de germinação e de IVG foram observados a 25 ºC e 30 ºC. Ficou evidente que a secagem modifica os limites e exigências térmicas para a germinação das sementes de E. pyriformis, uma vez que os maiores níveis de desidratação resultaram em maiores prejuízos à germinação fora da faixa térmica ótima. As sementes de E. pyriformis coletadas em Lavras, MG, que receberam maior quantidade de graus-dia durante o desenvolvimento e a maturação, apresentaram melhor desempenho em relação às sementes coletadas em Campinas, SP e em São Paulo, SP.</jats:p

Circulating mediators of inflammation and immune activation in AIDS-related non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Background: Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is the most common AIDS-related malignancy in developed countries. An elevated risk of developing NHL persists among HIV-infected individuals in comparison to the general population despite the advent of effective antiretroviral therapy. The mechanisms underlying the development of AIDS-related NHL (A-NHL) are not fully understood, but likely involve persistent B-cell activation and inflammation. Methods: This was a nested case-control study within the ongoing prospective Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS). Cases included 47 HIV-positive male subjects diagnosed with high-grade B-cell NHL. Controls were matched to each case from among participating HIV-positive males who did not develop any malignancy. Matching criteria included time HIV+ or since AIDS diagnosis, age, race and CD4+ cell count. Sera were tested for 161 serum biomarkers using multiplexed beadbased immunoassays. Results: A subset of 17 biomarkers, including cytokines, chemokines, acute phase proteins, tissue remodeling agents and bone metabolic mediators was identified to be significantly altered in A-NHL cases in comparison to controls. Many of the biomarkers included in this subset were positively correlated with HIV viral load. A pathway analysis of our results revealed an extensive network of interactions between current and previously identified biomarkers. Conclusions: These findings support the current hypothesis that A-NHL develops in the context of persistent immune stimulation and inflammation. Further analysis of the biomarkers identified in this report should enhance our ability to diagnose, monitor and treat this disease. © 2014 Nolen et al

Adaptability and stability of purple-fleshed sweet potato genotypes in producing regions of Brazil using the AMMI and WAASB methodologies.

Purple-fleshed sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas) have gained attention from producers and consumers for their nutritional values and high levels of anthocyanins. This study aimed to evaluate the adaptability and stability of these genotypes in producing regions of Brazil with AMMI and WAASB methodologies.The recently released purple-fleshed cultivars BRS Anembé and BRS Cotinga, along with four purple- fleshed advanced clones and the cultivars Brazlândia Roxa and Beauregard as controls, were evaluated in eight environments using a complete randomized blocks design with four replications

Root production and quality attributes of sweet potato genotypes in Brasília - DF, Brazil, during two cropping seasons.

Avaliou-se nove genótipos de batata-doce: BRS Amélia, Beauregard, Brazlândia Branca, Brazlândia Rosada, Brazlândia Roxa, BRS Cuia, Princesa, BRS Rubissol e um genótipo local em delineamento de blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições. Estimou-se características relacionadas a produção de raízes, características de qualidade e danos causador por insetos

Rationale, study design, and analysis plan of the Alveolar Recruitment for ARDS Trial (ART): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is associated with high in-hospital mortality. Alveolar recruitment followed by ventilation at optimal titrated PEEP may reduce ventilator-induced lung injury and improve oxygenation in patients with ARDS, but the effects on mortality and other clinical outcomes remain unknown. This article reports the rationale, study design, and analysis plan of the Alveolar Recruitment for ARDS Trial (ART). METHODS/DESIGN: ART is a pragmatic, multicenter, randomized (concealed), controlled trial, which aims to determine if maximum stepwise alveolar recruitment associated with PEEP titration is able to increase 28-day survival in patients with ARDS compared to conventional treatment (ARDSNet strategy). We will enroll adult patients with ARDS of less than 72 h duration. The intervention group will receive an alveolar recruitment maneuver, with stepwise increases of PEEP achieving 45 cmH2O and peak pressure of 60 cmH2O, followed by ventilation with optimal PEEP titrated according to the static compliance of the respiratory system. In the control group, mechanical ventilation will follow a conventional protocol (ARDSNet). In both groups, we will use controlled volume mode with low tidal volumes (4 to 6 mL/kg of predicted body weight) and targeting plateau pressure 6430 cmH2O. The primary outcome is 28-day survival, and the secondary outcomes are: length of ICU stay; length of hospital stay; pneumothorax requiring chest tube during first 7 days; barotrauma during first 7 days; mechanical ventilation-free days from days 1 to 28; ICU, in-hospital, and 6-month survival. ART is an event-guided trial planned to last until 520 events (deaths within 28 days) are observed. These events allow detection of a hazard ratio of 0.75, with 90% power and two-tailed type I error of 5%. All analysis will follow the intention-to-treat principle. DISCUSSION: If the ART strategy with maximum recruitment and PEEP titration improves 28-day survival, this will represent a notable advance to the care of ARDS patients. Conversely, if the ART strategy is similar or inferior to the current evidence-based strategy (ARDSNet), this should also change current practice as many institutions routinely employ recruitment maneuvers and set PEEP levels according to some titration metho

Tegumentary leishmaniasis and coinfections other than HIV

<div><p>Background</p><p>Tegumentary leishmaniasis (TL) is a disease of skin and/or mucosal tissues caused by <i>Leishmania</i> parasites. TL patients may concurrently carry other pathogens, which may influence the clinical outcome of TL.</p><p>Methodology and principal findings</p><p>This review focuses on the frequency of TL coinfections in human populations, interactions between <i>Leishmania</i> and other pathogens in animal models and human subjects, and implications of TL coinfections for clinical practice. For the purpose of this review, TL is defined as all forms of cutaneous (localised, disseminated, or diffuse) and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coinfection, superinfection with skin bacteria, and skin manifestations of visceral leishmaniasis are not included. We searched MEDLINE and other databases and included 73 records: 21 experimental studies in animals and 52 studies about human subjects (mainly cross-sectional and case studies). Several reports describe the frequency of <i>Trypanosoma cruzi</i> coinfection in TL patients in Argentina (about 41%) and the frequency of helminthiasis in TL patients in Brazil (15% to 88%). Different hypotheses have been explored about mechanisms of interaction between different microorganisms, but no clear answers emerge. Such interactions may involve innate immunity coupled with regulatory networks that affect quality and quantity of acquired immune responses. Diagnostic problems may occur when concurrent infections cause similar lesions (e.g., TL and leprosy), when different pathogens are present in the same lesions (e.g., <i>Leishmania</i> and <i>Sporothrix schenckii</i>), or when similarities between phylogenetically close pathogens affect accuracy of diagnostic tests (e.g., serology for leishmaniasis and Chagas disease). Some coinfections (e.g., helminthiasis) appear to reduce the effectiveness of antileishmanial treatment, and drug combinations may cause cumulative adverse effects.</p><p>Conclusions and significance</p><p>In patients with TL, coinfection is frequent, it can lead to diagnostic errors and delays, and it can influence the effectiveness and safety of treatment. More research is needed to unravel how coinfections interfere with the pathogenesis of TL.</p></div