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INTRODUCTION: Allergic diseases have become an increasingly common reality in the last years, extending beyond the family context. OBJECTIVE: Assessing the level of knowledge on asthma, food allergies and anaphylaxis of asthmatic children's parents/caregivers (PC), elementary school teachers (EST) and university students (US) in Uruguaiana, RS, Brazil. METHOD: 577 individuals (PC - N=111; EST - N=177; US - N=299) took part in the study, answering the Newcastle Asthma Knowledge Questionnaire (validated for Portuguese) and another questionnaire on Food Allergy (FA) and anaphylaxis. RESULTS: Although PC have asthmatic children, their asthma knowledge level was average, slightly above that of EST and EU. The lack of knowledge on passive smoking, use of medications and their side effects should be highlighted. US have shown to be better informed about FA and anaphylaxis. However, even though a significant proportion of respondents know the most common symptoms of FA and anaphylaxis, few named subcutaneous adrenaline as the drug of choice for treating anaphylaxis. Although a significant number of respondents know about the possibility of anaphylactic reactions happening at school or in activities outside the school, we were surprised by the absence of conditions in schools to provide emergency care to such students. CONCLUSION: Despite the high prevalence of allergic diseases in childhood, asthmatic children's parents/caregivers, elementary school teachers and university students have inadequate levels of knowledge to monitor these patients.

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In this note, three vibrational bands of the electronic transition A(2)Σ(+)-X(2)Π of the N2O(+) radical (000-100, 100-100, and 001-101) were theoretically analysed. Starting from Hamiltonian models proposed for this kind of molecule, their parameters were calculated using a Levenberg-Marquardt fit procedure in order to reduce the root mean square deviation from the experimental transitions below to 0.01 cm(-1). The main objective of this work is to obtain new and reliable values for rotational constant B″ and the spin-orbit interaction parameter A of the analysed vibrational levels of the X(2)Π electronic state of this molecule.

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In this article three vibrational bands of the electronic transition A(2)Σ(+)-X(2)Π of the N2O(+) radical (100-000, 000-001, and 001-001) are analysed through high resolution Fourier transform spectroscopy. The N2O(+) radical was produced by Penning ionization of N2O by colliding with metastable atoms of He(2(3)S) in a reaction chamber. The spectra was recorded in a spectral range of 24,500-30,000 cm(-1) and obtained from 200 coadded interferograms recorded at an apodized resolution of 0.08 cm(-1). Through a recursive way, the wavenumbers of the correspondent rotational transitions were reduced into molecular constants, improving the values previously reported. New values for the first vibrational energies ν1', ν3", and ν3' are also obtained and compared with previous values reported in the literature.

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Renoguanylin (REN) is a recently described member of the guanylin family, which was first isolated from eels and is expressed in intestinal and specially kidney tissues. In the present work we evaluate the effects of REN on the mechanisms of hydrogen transport in rat renal tubules by the stationary microperfusion method. We evaluated the effect of 1 muM and 10 muM of renoguanylin (REN) on the reabsorption of bicarbonate in proximal and distal segments and found that there was a significant reduction in bicarbonate reabsorption. In proximal segments, REN promoted a significant effect at both 1 and 10 muM concentrations. Comparing control and REN concentration of 1 muM, JHCO(3)(-), nmol cm(-2) s(-1)-1,76+/-0,11(control)x1,29+/-0,08(REN 10 muM); P<0.05, was obtained. In distal segments the effect of both concentrations of REN was also effective, being significant e.g. at a concentration of 1 muM (JHCO(3)(-), nmol cm(-2) s(-)1-0.80+/-0.07(control)x0.60+/-0.06(REN 1 muM); P<0.05), although at a lower level than in the proximal tubule. Our results suggest that the action of REN on hydrogen transport involves the inhibition of Na(+)/H(+)exchanger and H(+)-ATPase in the luminal membrane of the perfused tubules by a PKG dependent pathway.

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Vacuolar H+-ATPase is a large multi-subunit protein that mediates ATP-driven vectorial H+ transport across the membranes. It is widely distributed and present in virtually all eukaryotic cells in intracellular membranes or in the plasma membrane of specialized cells. In subcellular organelles, ATPase is responsible for the acidification of the vesicular interior, which requires an intraorganellar acidic pH to maintain optimal enzyme activity. Control of vacuolar H+-ATPase depends on the potential difference across the membrane in which the proton ATPase is inserted. Since the transport performed by H+-ATPase is electrogenic, translocation of H+-ions across the membranes by the pump creates a lumen-positive voltage in the absence of a neutralizing current, generating an electrochemical potential gradient that limits the activity of H+-ATPase. In many intracellular organelles and cell plasma membranes, this potential difference established by the ATPase gradient is normally dissipated by a parallel and passive Cl- movement, which provides an electric shunt compensating for the positive charge transferred by the pump. The underlying mechanisms for the differences in the requirement for chloride by different tissues have not yet been adequately identified, and there is still some controversy as to the molecular identity of the associated Cl--conducting proteins. Several candidates have been identified: the ClC family members, which may or may not mediate nCl-/H+ exchange, and the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator. In this review, we discuss some tissues where the association between H+-ATPase and chloride channels has been demonstrated and plays a relevant physiologic role.

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Vacuolar H+-ATPase is a large multi-subunit protein that mediates ATP-driven vectorial H+ transport across the membranes. It is widely distributed and present in virtually all eukaryotic cells in intracellular membranes or in the plasma membrane of specialized cells. In subcellular organelles, ATPase is responsible for the acidification of the vesicular interior, which requires an intraorganellar acidic pH to maintain optimal enzyme activity. Control of vacuolar H+-ATPase depends on the potential difference across the membrane in which the proton ATPase is inserted. Since the transport performed by H+-ATPase is electrogenic, translocation of H+-ions across the membranes by the pump creates a lumen-positive voltage in the absence of a neutralizing current, generating an electrochemical potential gradient that limits the activity of H+-ATPase. In many intracellular organelles and cell plasma membranes, this potential difference established by the ATPase gradient is normally dissipated by a parallel and passive Cl- movement, which provides an electric shunt compensating for the positive charge transferred by the pump. The underlying mechanisms for the differences in the requirement for chloride by different tissues have not yet been adequately identified, and there is still some controversy as to the molecular identity of the associated Cl--conducting proteins. Several candidates have been identified: the ClC family members, which may or may not mediate nCl-/H+ exchange, and the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator. In this review, we discuss some tissues where the association between H+-ATPase and chloride channels has been demonstrated and plays a relevant physiologic role.

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Endothelial dysfunction (ED) is an early feature of cardiovascular risk and diabetes. Hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia are causative factors. Excessive endothelial mitochondrial superoxide (ROS) production with hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia is a key mechanism. Inositol components of an insulin inositol glycan mediator, d-chiro-inositol (DCI) and 3-O-methyl DCI (pinitol), decrease hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia. We tested whether these, myoinositol and dibutyryl DCI (db-DCI), would prevent or reverse ED in diabetic rats and rabbits. Oral inositols reduced hyperglycemia and hypertriglyceridemia with different potencies and prevented ED in rat aortic rings and mesenteric beds. Inositols added in vitro to five diabetic tissues reversed ED. Relaxation by Ach, NO, and electrical field stimulation was potentiated by inositols in vitro in rabbit penile corpus cavernosa. Inositols in vitro restored impaired contraction by the eNOS inhibitor l-NAME and increased NO effectiveness. DCI and db-DCI decreased elevated ROS in endothelial cells in high glucose and db-DCI reduced PKC activation, hexosamine pathway activity, and advanced glycation end products to basal levels. Xanthine/xanthine oxidase generated superoxide was reduced by superoxide dismutase or inositols, with db-DCI efficacious in a mechanism requiring chelated Fe(3+). Histochemical examination of rat aortic rings for protein SNO demonstrated a decrease in diabetic rings with restoration by inositols. In summary, inositols prevented and reversed ED in rat and rabbit vessels, reduced elevated ROS in endothelial cells, potentiated nitrergic or vasculo-myogenic relaxations, and preserved NO signaling. These effects are related to their metabolic actions, direct superoxide scavenging, and enhancing and protecting NO signaling. Of the inositols tested, db-DCI was most effective.

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Analysis of the partial bovine leukaemia virus (BLV) env gp51 gene sequences obtained from three BLV strains isolated in three different regions of Brazil was carried out. The Brazilian BLV env gp51 sequences were compared with seven other corresponding sequences of BLV strains isolated in different countries and with consensus sequence as well. The obtained data point on qualitative and quantitative differences among the analysed strains as far as the occurrence of single point mutations is concerned. Two Brazilian strains show significantly higher mutation rate than other analysed strains. Amino acid analysis did not show, however, any substantial changes of the primary protein structure coded by well conserved region of BLV env gp51 gene. Based on the obtained data, the putative dendogram image of possible phylogenetic relations among the studied BLV strains is presented as well.

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The variation in degrees of interdigitation (complexity) in cranial sutures among species of Caiman in different skull regions was studied by fractal analysis. Our findings show that there is a small species effect in the fractal dimension of cranial sutures, but most variation is accounted for by regional differentiation within the skull. There is also a significant interaction between species and cranial regions. The braincase sutures show higher fractal dimension than the facial skull sutures for all three species. The fractal dimension of nasal-maxilla suture is larger in Caiman latirostris than in the other species. The braincase sutures show higher fractal dimensions in C. sclerops than in the other species. The results suggest that different regions of the skull in caimans are under differential functional stress and the braincase sutures must counteract stronger disarticulation forces than the facial sutures. The larger fractal dimension shown by C. latirostris in facial sutures has probably a functional basis also. Caiman latirostris is known to have preferences for harder food items than the other species

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The variation in degrees of interdigitation (complexity) in cranial sutures among species of Caiman in different skull regions was studied by fractal analysis. Our findings show that there is a small species effect in the fractal dimension of cranial sutures, but most variation is accounted for by regional differentiation within the skull. There is also a significant interaction between species and cranial regions. The braincase sutures show higher fractal dimension than the facial skull sutures for all three species. The fractal dimension of nasal-maxilla suture is larger in Caiman latirostris than in the other species. The braincase sutures show higher fractal dimensions in C. sclerops than in the other species. The results suggest that different regions of the skull in caimans are under differential functional stress and the braincase sutures must counteract stronger disarticulation forces than the facial sutures. The larger fractal dimension shown by C. latirostris in facial sutures has probably a functional basis also. Caiman latirostris is known to have preferences for harder food items than the other species.

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O presente trabalho relata a experiencia de um ano (1980-1981) com pacientes portadores de psicoses afetivas acompanhados em terapia de grupo como tecnica associada ao tratamento com litio, desenvolvida pelo Grupo de Pesquisas sobre Psicoses Afetivas - Ambulatorio de Neuropsiquiatria da Universidade Federal da Bahia

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