Federal University of São Paulo

About: Federal University of São Paulo is a education organization based out in São Paulo, Brazil. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Medicine. The organization has 27971 authors who have published 49365 publications receiving 935536 citations. The organization is also known as: Universidade Federal de São Paulo & Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo.

Diffusion tensor imaging in autism spectrum disorders: preliminary evidence of abnormal neural connectivity.

Abstract: Objective: This study indirectly tested the hypothesis that individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) have impaired neural connections between the amygdala, fusiform face area, and superior temporal sulcus, key processing nodes of the ‘social brain’. This would be evidenced by abnormalities in the major fibre tracts known to connect these structures, including the inferior longitudinal fasciculus and inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus.Method: Magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging was performed on 20 right-handed males (ASD = 10, controls = 10) with a mean age 13.5 ± 4.0 years. Subjects were group-matched according to age, full-scale IQ, handedness, and ethnicity. Fractional anisotropy was used to assess structural integrity of major fibre tracts. Voxel-wise comparison of white matter fractional anisotropy was conducted between groups using ANCOVA adjusting for age, full-scale IQ, and brain volume. Volumes of interest were identified using predetermined probability and cluster thresholds. F...

Therapeutic effects of the transplantation of VEGF overexpressing bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in the hippocampus of murine model of Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: Alzheimer´s disease (AD) is clinically characterized by progressive memory loss, behavioural and learning dysfunction and cognitive deficits, such as alterations in social interactions. The major pathological features of AD are the formation of senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles together with neuronal and vascular damage. The double transgenic mouse model of AD (2xTg-AD) with the APPswe/PS1dE9 mutations shows characteristics that are similar to those observed in AD patients, including social memory impairment, senile plaque formation and vascular deficits. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), when transplanted into the brain, produce positive effects by reducing Aβ deposition in transgenic APP/PS1 mice. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), exhibits neuroprotective effects against the excitotoxicity implicated in the AD neurodegeneration.The present study investigates the effects of MSCs overexpressing VEGF in hippocampal neovascularization, cognitive dysfunction and senile plaques present in 2xTg-AD transgenic mice. MSC were transfected with uP-VEGF vector, by electroporation and expanded at the 14th passage. 2xTg-AD animals at 6, 9 and 12 months old were transplanted with MSC-VEGF or MSC. The animals were tested for behavioral tasks to access locomotion, novelty exploration, learning and memory, and their brains were analyzed by IHC for vascularization and Aβ plaques. MSC-VEGF treatment favored the neovascularization and diminished senile plaques in hippocampal specific layers. Consequently, the treatment was able to provide behavioral benefits and reduce cognitive deficits by recovering the innate interest to novelty and counteracting memory deficits present in these AD transgenic animals. Therefore, this study has important therapeutic implications for the vascular damage in the neurodegeneration promoted by Alzheimer’s disease.

Valerian for anxiety disorders

Abstract: Background Anxiety disorders are very common mental health problems in the general population and in primary care settings Herbal medicines are popular and used worldwide and might be considered as a treatment option for anxiety if shown to be effective and safe Objectives To investigate the effectiveness and safety of valerian for treating anxiety disorders Search methods Electronic searches: The Cochrane Collaboration Depression, Anxiety and Neurosis Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (CCDANCTR-Studies and CCDANCTR-References) searched on 04/08/2006, MEDLINE, Lilacs References of all identified studies were inspected for additional studies First authors of each included study, manufacturers of valerian products, and experts in the field were contacted for information regarding unpublished trials Selection criteria Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-randomised trials of valerian extract of any dose, regime, or method of administration, for people with any primary diagnosis of general anxiety disorder, anxiety neurosis, chronic anxiety status, or any other disorder in which anxiety is the primary symptom (panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, social phobia, agoraphobia, other types of phobia, postraumatic stress disorder) Effectiveness was measured using clinical outcome measures and other scales for anxiety symptoms Data collection and analysis Two review authors independently applied inclusion criteria, extracted and entered data, and performed the trial quality assessments Where disagreements occurred, the third review author was consulted Methodological quality of included trials was assessed using Cochrane Handbook criteria For dichotomous outcomes, relative risk (RR) was calculated, and for continuous outcomes, the weighted mean difference (WMD) was calculated, with their respective 95% confidence intervals Main results One RCT involving 36 patients with generalised anxiety disorder was eligible for inclusion This was a 4 week pilot study of valerian, diazepam and placebo There were no significant differences between the valerian and placebo groups in HAM-A total scores, or in somatic and psychic factor scores Similarly, there were no significant differences in HAM-A scores between the valerian and diazepam groups, although based on STAI-Trait scores, significantly greater symptom improvement was indicated in the diazepam group There were no significant differences between the three groups in the number of patients reporting side effects or in dropout rates Authors' conclusions Since only one small study is currently available, there is insufficient evidence to draw any conclusions about the efficacy or safety of valerian compared with placebo or diazepam for anxiety disorders RCTs involving larger samples and comparing valerian with placebo or other interventions used to treat of anxiety disorders, such as antidepressants, are needed

Prevalência de sobrepeso e obesidade em escolares da cidade de Santos, SP

Abstract: O objetivo deste estudo populacional foi verificar as prevalencias de sobrepeso e obesidade em escolas publicas e particulares da cidade de Santos, SP. Foram avaliadas criancas de 7 a 10 anos de idade, num total de 10.822 criancas. Para a determinacao de sobrepeso e obesidade foram utilizados, respectivamente, os percentis 85 e 95 do IMC por idade propostos pelos Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - CDC (2000). As prevalencias totais de sobrepeso e obesidade foram de 15,7% (IC 95%= 15,0% a 16,4%) e 18,0% (17,3% a 18,7%), respectivamente. A prevalencia de sobrepeso foi de 13,7% (12,6% a 14,8%) nos meninos e 14,8% (13,7% a 15,9%) nas meninas das escolas publicas. Nas escolas particulares, foi de 17,7% (15,7% a 19,7%) nos meninos e 22,2% (20,0% a 24,4%) nas meninas. A obesidade foi prevalente em 16,9% (15,7% a 18,1%) dos meninos e 14,3% (13,2% a 15,4%) das meninas das escolas publicas. Nas escolas particulares, 29,8% (27,4% a 32,2%) dos meninos e 20,3% (18,2% a 22,4%) das meninas foram diagnosticados como obesos. Concluimos que a prevalencia de obesidade e superior a de estudos nacionais e latino-americanos. Escolas privadas apresentaram prevalencia de obesidade maior que escolas publicas (p= 0,001).

Subclinical Hypothyroidism and the Risk of Stroke Events and Fatal Stroke: An Individual Participant Data Analysis.

Abstract: Objective: The objective was to determine the risk of stroke associated with subclinical hypothyroidism. Data Sources and Study Selection: Published prospective cohort studies were identified through a systematic search through November 2013 without restrictions in several databases. Unpublished studies were identified through the Thyroid Studies Collaboration. We collected individual participant data on thyroid function and stroke outcome. Euthyroidism was defined as TSH levels of 0.45–4.49 mIU/L, and subclinical hypothyroidism was defined as TSH levels of 4.5–19.9 mIU/L with normal T4 levels. Data Extraction and Synthesis: We collected individual participant data on 47 573 adults (3451 subclinical hypothyroidism) from 17 cohorts and followed up from 1972–2014 (489 192 person-years). Age- and sex-adjusted pooled hazard ratios (HRs) for participants with subclinical hypothyroidism compared to euthyroidism were 1.05 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.91–1.21) for stroke events (combined fatal and nonfatal st...