The impact of dark chocolate intake on arterial elasticity in individuals with HIV/AIDS undergoing ART: a randomized, double-blind, crossover trial.

An increase in the frequency of cardiovascular diseases has been observed in the HIV/AIDS population. Studies involving healthy subjects or subjects with other diseases have shown benefits of chocolate supplementation on endothelial function and vasodilation. We evaluate the impact of chocolate consumption on arterial elasticity in people living with human immunodeficiency virus - PLHIV.

Influence of adiponectin gene variants and plasma fatty acids on systemic inflammation state association-A cross-sectional population-based study, São Paulo, Brazil.

Scope: Interactions between adiponectin genetic variants and plasma fatty acid profile can modulate plasma inflammatory biomarker concentration and the risk for metabolic diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the interaction between single nucleotide polymorphisms of the adiponectin gene and plasma fatty acid profile in modulating the odds for systemic inflammation in a cross-sectional population-based study.

Methods And Results: Inflammatory patterns comprised 11 inflammatory biomarkers.

Vitamin A and beta-carotene concentrations in adults with HIV/AIDS on highly active antiretroviral therapy.

Micronutrient deficiency is a common condition in HIV-infected individuals and may occur in all stages of the disease. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to compare the concentrations of vitamin A and beta-carotene, micronutrients related to immunity and oxidative stress, in 182 adults with HIV/AIDS, under different highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) regimens. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to their HAART regimen: combination of nucleoside analog reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) and non-NRTIs; combination of NRTIs, protease inhibitors, and ritonavir; combination of NRTIs and other classes.

The relationship between cortisol concentrations in pregnancy and systemic vascular resistance in childhood.

Objective: To assess the relationship between cortisol concentrations in the last trimester of pregnancy and systemic vascular resistance - SVR in childhood.

Materials And Methods: This study is part of a cohort involving 130 Brazilian pregnant women and their children, ages 5 to 7years. Maternal cortisol was determined in saliva by an enzyme immunoassay utilizing the mean concentration of 9 samples of saliva (3 in each different day), collected at the same time, early in the morning.

[Nutritional status and physical performance of elderly in the city of São Paulo].

Objective: To evaluate the nutritional status (NS) and its association with physical performance tests (PPT) of elderly in the city of São Paulo, Brazil.

Methods: Design--Cross-sectional epidemiological study, in a population on a household basis as part of a multicenter study (the SABE Survey), coordinated by the Pan-American Health Organization. Setting-- From January/2000 to March/2001, the SABE survey comprised 2143 elderly (>or=60 yrs old), of both genders, selected by probabilistic sampling.

[Risk factors for anemia among 6- to 12-month-old children in Brazil].

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of anemia and to determine associated risk factors among infants receiving routine health care in public clinics in Brazil.

Method: This cross-sectional study included 2,715 infants between 6 and 12 months old in 12 cities, in all five of the geographic regions of Brazil. Information regarding the child and its feeding habits was obtained from the mother or other caregiver, using a questionnaire.

[Hemoglobin concentration in children from birth to one year of age].

This study aimed to describe the evolution of hemoglobin concentration considering the following factors: birth weight, growth rate, and food intake. The cross-sectional study focused on infants (<1 year of age) whose growth and development were monitored by public health services in cities located in the five geographic regions of Brazil. Some 51.

[Risks associated with the weaning process in children born in a university hospital: a prospective cohort in the first year of life, São Paulo, 1998-1999].

This study describes breastfeeding practices with children born in a university hospital in the city of S o Paulo, Brazil, and identifies factors associated with duration of breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding. A cohort of 506 children was identified; of these, it was possible to analyze information on feeding practices for 450 infants at least until the second month of life. Daily information on infant feeding was recorded by mothers in a food frequency questionnaire.