Alterations of ectonucleotidases and acetylcholinesterase activities in lymphocytes of Down syndrome subjects: relation with inflammatory parameters.

Background: Subjects with Down syndrome (DS) have an increased susceptibility to infections and autoimmune disorders. ATP, adenosine, and acetylcholine contribute to the immune response regulation, and NTPDase, adenosine deaminase (ADA) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) are important enzymes in the control of the extracellular levels of these molecules. We evaluated the activities of these enzymes and the cytokine levels in samples of DS individuals.

[Frequency of multiple neonatal malformations in Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, and associated socio-demographic factors].

This study aimed to estimate the frequency and to correlate the possible causal agents and monitor the occurrence of multiple neonatal malformations in Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The study included all births from 1990 to 2002 in the local maternity hospitals with birth weight > 500 g. Each newborn presenting a malformation (case) was assigned a live matched neonate (control) without any malformation and of the same sex.

Community diagnosis of maternal exposure to risk factors for congenital defects.

Objectives: This paper describes a community diagnosis of maternal exposure to risk factors for congenital defects in the population of Pelotas, RS, Brazil (400000 inhabitants). The authors investigated biological and demographic factors (maternal age, alcohol ingestion and smoking), social and economic factors (family income and type of work), and welfare factors (prenatal care, illnesses during pregnancy, drug therapy, and vaccinations). These factors were matched up with the Decalogue for Prevention of Congenital Defects recommended by the Latin American Collaborative Study of Congenital Malformations.