[Spatial analysis of neonatal mortality in Paraíba Valley, Southeastern Brazil, 1999 to 2001].

Objective: To assess the spatial distribution of neonatal mortality.

Methods: An ecological and exploratory study using a spatial distribution of mortality data approach was carried out in the Paraiba Valley, Southeastern Brazil, from 1999-2001. Spatial analysis was conducted in a georeference database for 35 cities in the region and routines of spatial statistics.

Endoscopic findings in children with stridor.

Unlabelled: Congenital and acquired airway diseases are responsible for upper respiratory distress and stridor in children. In neonatal intensive care units, we have seen increased survival in premature babies, but also a high incidence of airway complications related to intubation, which present as stridor.

Aim: To review endoscopic findings in children with stridor.

Impact of peginterferon alpha-2b and ribavirin treatment on liver tissue in patients with HCV or HCV-HIV co-infection.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of treatment with peginterferon alpha-2b and ribavirin on liver histology in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) with or without HIV infection.

Methods: Patients received peginterferon alpha-2b (1.5 micro/kg/week during the first 4 weeks; 1.

Chiral capillary electrophoretic determination of the enantiomeric purity of homocamptothecin derivatives, promising antitumor topoisomerase I inhibitors, using highly sulfated CDs and fluorescence detection.

EKC methods for the enantiomeric resolution of homocamptothecin derivatives, potent anticancer agents targeting DNA topoisomerase I selected for clinical trials, were developed using highly sulfated beta-CD as chiral selectors at acidic pH. Optimal electrophoretic conditions, with migration times under 15 min, were as follows: for the neutral homocamptothecin analog 1, a BGE of 75 mM phosphate buffer pH 2.5 (H(3)PO(4) + triethanolamine)/ACN - 95/5 v/v, with 7.

Feasibility of a branched stent-graft in common iliac artery aneurysms.

Purpose: To evaluate the short-term feasibility, efficacy, and safety of a modular bifurcated stent-graft with an internal iliac artery (IIA) side branch for endovascular repair of aortoiliac aneurysms.

Methods: Between 2002 and 2005, 10 male patients (median age 75 years, range 59-83) were treated with a bifurcated stent-graft that included a unilateral side branch for the IIA. The median diameters of the abdominal aortic and common iliac artery (CIA) aneurysms were 56 mm (range 33-80) and 40 mm (range 27-60), respectively.

[The German version of the Falls Efficacy Scale-International Version (FES-I)].

The German version of the Falls Efficacy Scale-International Version (FES-I), which is presented, was developed for the documentation of fall-related selfefficacy in older persons by a EU-funded expert network (Prevention of Falls Network Europe ProFaNE). The FES-I represents a modification of the original Falls Efficacy Scale (FES), including additional items on complex functional performances and social aspects of falls. The FES-I shows high internal reliability (Cronbach's alpha = 0.

[Hoarseness after tracheal intubation.].

Background And Objectives: To describe the main causes of hoarseness after undergoing tracheal intubation.

Contents: Hoarseness is one of the most common postoperatory symptoms after tracheal intubation and the effects vary in terms of duration, depending on the factors that caused it and on how severe the damage to the laryngeal structures. This study performed a brief check-up of the anatomical structures of the larynx, describing the main traumatic lesions in the region following tracheal intubation.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel phenylcarbazoles as potential anticancer agents.

We here report the synthesis and biological evaluation of new phenylcarbazole derivatives designed as potential anticancer agents. Indole and hydroxyindole were used to generate three scaffolds that were successively exploited to introduce various substituents on the maleimide moiety. The synthesis includes a final intramolecular key Heck-type reaction, which was carried out with a triflate derivative or with a bromophenyl derivative.

Complicated acute type B dissections--an 8-years experience of endovascular stent-graft repair in a single centre.

Objective: To analyze the experience of a single centre using stent-grafts for treatment of complicated acute aortic type B-dissections (EVR-ABD).

Design: Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from patients undergoing EVR-ABD between January 1997 and December 2004.

Methods: EVR-ABD was performed in 31 patients (20 males, median age 74 years (IQR: 64-79)).

Comparative use of bacterial, algal and protozoan tests to study toxicity of azo- and anthraquinone dyes.

Toxicity of two azo dyes (Reactive Orange 16 (RO16); Congo Red (CR)) and two anthraquinone dyes (Remazol Brilliant Blue R (RBBR); Disperse Blue 3 (DB3)) were compared using bacterium Vibrio fischeri, microalga Selenastrum capricornutum and ciliate Tetrahymena pyriformis. The following respective endpoints were involved: acute toxicity measured as bacterial luminescence inhibition, algal growth inhibition, and the effects on the protozoa including viability, growth inhibition, grazing effect and morphometric effects. In addition, mutagenicity of the dyes was determined using Ames test with bacterium Salmonella typhimurium His(-).

Synthesis of 2,6-diphenylpyrazine derivatives and their DNA binding and cytotoxic properties.

A series of 2,6-diphenylpyrazine derivatives was synthesized from 2,6-dichloropyrazine and 4-methoxyphenylboronic acid using palladium(0) as catalyst in a Suzuki methodology. After deprotection of the hydroxyl, alkylation reactions with different halides afforded compounds 5-8 bearing hydrophilic chains. DNA binding and cytotoxic properties were investigated.

Oxoazabenzo[de]anthracenes conjugated to amino acids: synthesis and evaluation as DNA-binding antitumor agents.

We report the synthesis of an original series of oxoazabenzo[de]anthracenes conjugated to an amino acid: Ala, Phe, Pro, Lys, or Gly (4a-e, respectively). The compounds, derived from 1,8-dihydroxyanthracene-9,10-dione, were studied for DNA binding and cytotoxicity. Melting temperature, fluorescence quenching, and surface plasmon resonance methods all indicated that the lysine derivative 4d binds to DNA much more strongly that the Pro, Ala, and Gly conjugates whereas the Phe analogue showed the lowest DNA binding capacity.

Larynx and cervical trachea in humidification and heating of inhaled gases.

To evaluate the participation of the larynx and cervical trachea in conditioning inspired gases, we randomly allocated 16 mixed-breed dogs to two groups: group TT (tracheal tube; n = 8) and group LMA (laryngeal mask airway; n = 8). The dogs were anesthetized with pentobarbital sodium and mechanically ventilated for 3 hours. The parameters studied were temperature and absolute humidities of ambient, inhaled, and tracheal air.

Synthesis of 2,5- and 3,5-diphenylpyridine derivatives for DNA recognition and cytotoxicity.

A series of 2,5- and 3,5-diphenylpyridine derivatives was synthetised in high yields. A versatile chemical strategy allows the design of diphenylpyridines differently substituted with cationic or neutral side chains. The interaction of the molecules with DNA was investigated by biophysical and biochemical methods and an AT-binder (20) was characterised.

Endovascular management of isolated infrarenal aortic occlusive disease is safe and effective in selected patients.

Objective: To examine the safety and efficacy of endovascular management of isolated infrarenal aortic occlusive disease within our centre.

Design And Methods: Retrospective analysis of all patients who underwent endovascular treatment of occlusive disease that is confined to the infrarenal aorta between September 1993 and November 2004.

Results: Primary aortic stenting was carried out in 16 women and five men using self-expanding (12 patients) and balloon expanding stents to treat both occlusions (six) and stenoses (15).

Drugs targeting mitochondrial functions to control tumor cell growth.

Mitochondria, the power houses of the cell, are at the cross-road of many cellular pathways. They play a central role in energy metabolism, regulate calcium flux and are implicated in apoptosis. Mitochondrial dysfunctions have been associated with various physiopathological disorders, especially neurodegenerative diseases and cancer.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel naphthocarbazoles as potential anticancer agents.

We report the efficient synthesis involving palladium-catalyzed reactions and biological evaluation of new naphthocarbazoles designed as potential anticancer agents. The use of 5- and 6-benzyloxyindoles generated three substitution sites which were successively exploited to introduce several hydrophilic side chains. The cytotoxicity of the newly designed compounds was evaluated on three cell lines.

Endovascular recanalisation in occlusive mesenteric ischemia--feasibility and early results.

Objective: To evaluate a single centre experience of endovascular treatment of mesenteric ischemia caused by vascular occlusion.

Design: Retrospective study.

Material And Methods: Between 1995 and 2002 17 patients (12 females; mean age 61 years) with symptoms of bowel ischemia were treated endovascularly for arterial occlusion.

Targeting DNA with novel diphenylcarbazoles.

Double-stranded DNA is a therapeutic target for a variety of anticancer and antimicrobial drugs. Noncovalent interactions of small molecules with DNA usually occur via intercalation of planar compounds between adjacent base pairs or minor-groove recognition by extended crescent-shaped ligands. However, the dynamic and flexibility of the DNA platform provide a variety of conformations that can be targeted by structurally diverse compounds.

Pulsatile wall motion (PWM) measurements after endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm exclusion are not useful in the classification of endoleak.

Unlabelled: The pulsatile wall motion (PWM) of AAA is reduced after endovascular stent-graft placement. The purpose of this study was to identify whether PWM after endografting was useful in the classification of endoleak.

Patients And Methods: 162 patients treated with EVAR underwent pre- and post-operative PWM assessment with ultrasonography.

Elastin and calcium rather than collagen or lipid content are associated with echogenicity of human carotid plaques.

Background And Purpose: Echolucent carotid plaques have been associated with increased risk for stroke. Histological studies suggested that echolucent plaques are hemorrhage- and lipid-rich, whereas echogenic plaques are characterized by fibrosis and calcification. This is the first study to relate echogenicity to plaque composition analyzed biochemically.

Direct intra-aneurysm sac pressure measurement using tip-pressure sensors: in vivo and in vitro evaluation.

Objective: Direct intra-aneurysm sac pressure measurement with percutaneous translumbar puncture is a new method for follow-up after endovascular aneurysm repair. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a tip-pressure sensor system for intra-aneurysm pressure measurement in an in vitro aneurysm model and in vivo in patients by studying intraobserver variability.

Methods: We used 0.

Intra-aneurysm sac pressure measurements after endovascular aneurysm repair: differences between shrinking, unchanged, and expanding aneurysms with and without endoleaks.

Objective: Our objective was to study intra-aneurysm pressure after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) in shrinking, unchanged, and expanding abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) with and without endoleaks.

Methods: Direct intra-aneurysm sac pressure measurement (DISP) by percutaneous translumbar puncture of the AAA under fluoroscopic guidance was performed 46 times during the follow-up of 37 patients (30 men; median age, 73 years [range, 58-82 years]; AAA diameter: median, 60 mm [range, 48-84 mm]). Three patients were included in two different groups because DISP was performed more than once with different indications.

Analogues of antifungal tjipanazoles from rebeccamycin.

Analogues of antifungal tjipanazoles were obtained by semi-synthesis from rebeccamycin, an antitumor antibiotic isolated from cultures of Saccharothrix aerocolonigenes. The antiproliferative activities of the new compounds were evaluated in vitro against nine tumor cell lines. The effect on the cell cycle of murine leukemia L1210 cells was examined and the antimicrobial activities against two Gram positive bacteria, a Gram negative bacterium and a yeast were determined.