RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar fatores de risco relacionados à evolução clínica e à desdiferenciação do osteossarcoma justacortical (parosteal, paraosteal) em osteossarcoma de alto grau. Métodos: Estudo de coorte retrospectiva realizado num período de 25 anos. Foram utilizados dados de prontuários de pacientes com diagnóstico de osteossarcoma parosteal que, em seguida, foram submetidos à análise estatística pelo Teste Exato de Fisher e pelo Teste t de Student. Resultados: Foram tratados 326 pacientes com diagnóstico de osteossarcoma, dos quais 17 (5,21%) receberam diagnóstico de osteossarcoma parosteal, 4 (1,22%) foram diagnosticados com osteossarcoma convencional e 4 (1,22%) não tinham dados mínimos necessários para análise, sendo excluídos do estudo. Dos 9 (2,76%) pacientes estudados, 3 (0,92%) evoluíram com desdiferenciação do tumor para osteossarcoma de alto grau. Dois (0,84%) pacientes apresentaram recidiva local e 2 (0,84%%) apresentaram metástases. Conclusão: Os fatores idade, sexo e volume do tumor não estão diretamente relacionados com a desdiferenciação do osteossarcoma parosteal para osteossarcoma de alto grau. Apesar de a evolução clínica mais agressiva - presença de recidivas locais e metástase - no osteossarcoma parosteal ter ocorrido nos tumores com desdiferenciação, não é possível estabelecer uma relação de causa e efeito, apenas considerá-las como fatores relacionados. Nível de Evidência IV, Série de Casos.

ABSTRACT Objective: Evaluate risk factors related to clinical evolution and dedifferentiation of parosteal (juxtacortical) osteosarcoma to high-grade osteosarcoma. Methods: Retrospective cohort study performed over a period of 25 years, using data from medical records of patients diagnosed with parosteal osteosarcoma. The data were submitted to statistical analysis by Fisher’s exact test and Student’s t-test. Results: Of the 326 patients treated for osteosarcoma, we identified 17 patients diagnosed with parosteal osteosarcoma. Of these, 4 (23.5%) were not actually diagnosed with parosteal osteosarcoma and 4 did not have the minimum data required for analysis, being excluded from the study. Of the 9 patients studied, we observed that 3 (33.3%) evolved with tumor dedifferentiation to high-grade osteosarcoma. Moreover, 2 (66.7%) had local recurrence and 2 (66.7%) metastases. Conclusion: Age, sex, and the tumor size were not directly related to the dedifferentiation from parosteal osteosarcoma to high-grade osteosarcoma. The most aggressive clinical evolution - presence of local recurrences and metastasis - in parosteal osteosarcoma occurred in tumors with dedifferentiation, however, we cannot associate each other as cause and effect, but as related factors. Level of Evidence IV, Case Series.

Abstract This study evaluated the effect of hypertension on tissue response and biomineralization capacity of white Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA), High-plasticity MTA (MTA HP), and Biodentine® (BDT) in rats. Polyethylene tubes filled with MTA, MTA HP, BDT, and the control group (empty tubes) were placed into the dorsal subcutaneous tissue of 32 male rats (16 normotensive (NT) and 16 hypertensive rats - 8 per group). After 7 and 30 days, the polyethylene tubes surrounded by connective tissue were removed, fixed, and embedded in histological resin. The mean number of inflammatory cells was estimated in HE-stained sections, biomineralization was quantified as area (µm2) by Kossa (VK) staining, and examination by polarized light (LP) microscopy was performed. The differences amongst the groups were analyzed statistically by the Mann-Whitney or Student’s t test, according to Shapiro-Wilk test of normality (p < 0.05). The inflammatory responses to all materials were greater in hypertensive rats than in NT rats (p < 0.05). Positive VK staining in MTA and BDT were more pronounced in NT rats at 7 and 30 days (p < 0.05). Birefringent structures in LP for MTA, MTA HP, and BDT were more pronounced in NT rats at 7 days (p<0.05). In rats, hypertension was able to increase inflammatory infiltrate and decrease biomineralization of the tested materials.

Objective: To compare normal and hirsute women Testosterone (T) measurements performed at different laboratories by the same or different methods, and the gold standard method LC-MS/MS (Quest Diagnostics, USA). Design: Prospective study. Setting: Hormone Determination Laboratory, Hospital Italiano, La Plata, and each participating laboratory's private practice. Patient(s): Blood samples were obtained from 23 individuals sorted into two groups, namely, normal women, n: 11(NW) and hirsute women, n: 12 (HW). Interventions(s): None. Main Outcome Measure(s): To evaluate whether serum T measurements obtained from each serum by the methods currently employed in our country, some of whose kits exhibit changes in previous presentations, some LC-MS/MS-validated and other non-validated ones are significantly different from those obtained by LC-MS/MS. Result(s): None of the 11 NW showed high T values by LC-MS/MS. Two out of the 12 hirsute patients showed normal T values (LC-MS/MS). Methods and number of participating labs -shown between brackets were: in NW, 1st generation Architect (1), 2nd generation Architect (1); Immulite (1) Cobas (4); Access (1); Centaur (2); Immunotech-RIA (1); and, in HW, 2nd generation Architect (3); Immulite (3); Cobas (4); Access (1); Centaur (2); Immunotech-RIA (1). No false positives resulted from the assays performed. No lab yielded false positive results in the NW group. No false positives were reported from the 10 hirsute women with increased T values by LC-MS/MS. False positives, though, resulted from two female hirsute patients with normal T values studied by four of the methods. Statistically, the serum T measurements obtained were significantly different by Centaur in NW and, in HW, by Immulite and Centaur as compared to LC-MS/MS. In the Bland-Altman plot, Centaur and Cobas showed over 5 % of measurements outside the limits of agreement in the HW group. Assessment by p-Spearman resulted in divergences with LC-MS/MS for all methods in NW, whereas in the HW group there were none. When estimating sampling bias for each laboratory taking LC-MS/MS as the reference method and adopting a ± 6.4 % mean bias acceptability criterion for each method compared to LC-MS/MS, two of the techniques reviewed, 2nd generation Architect and Cobas, met the validation requirement satisfactorily. However, one lab out of three using 2nd generation Architect failed to meet the validation requirement, while two out of four labs using Cobas also failed to meet the requirement. This demonstrates the great variability among methods, even when labs are employing the same technique. Conclusion: From the clinical point of view, the methods currently used in our local environment yielded no false positives or false negatives and therefore did not misdiagnose hyperandrogenism. Still, Immulite, Centaur, RIA and Access did present false positives in two of the T-normal hirsute women. The relation of serum T measurements obtained by each method to measurements obtained by LC-MS/MS reveals that the dispersion of the results was larger with values under 0.3 ng/ml, quite close to the detection limit of the various techniques.

Objetivos: Comparar los resultados de testosterona (T) obtenidos en diferentes laboratorios en mujeres normales (MN) e hirsutas (MH), empleando el mismo o diferentes métodos respecto a la técnica de cromatografía líquida en tándem con espectrometría de masa LC-MS/MS (gold standard) realizada en el laboratorio Quest (USA) Protocolo: Estudio prospectivo Estudio realizado en: Laboratorio de Determinaciones Hormonales; Hospital Italiano de La Plata y en los laboratorios privados de cada participante Pacientes: Se obtuvieron muestras de sangre periférica en 23 mujeres agrupadas en 2 grupos: controles normales (n:11) y en mujeres hirsutas (n: 12) Intervención: Ninguna. Principales resultados a evaluar: Evaluar si con los métodos habituales empleados en nuestro medio con los diferentes kits comerciales, de los cuales algunos han sido convalidados por técnica "gold standard" y otros no, presentan diferencias significativas con los obtenidos por LC-MS/MS Resultados: Los resultados obtenidos por LC-MS/MS mostraron que ninguna de las 11 MN tuvieron niveles aumentado de T y 2 MH tuvieron valores normales de T. Los métodos empleados y el número de laboratorios (entre paréntesis) que emplearon cada método fueron en MN Architect 1st generation (1) Architect 2nd generation (1); Immulite (1); Cobas (4); Access (1); Centauro (2); Immunotech-RIA (1). En las MH Architect 2nd generation (3); Immulite (3); Cobas (4); Access (1); Centauro (2); Immunotech-RIA (1). En el grupo de MN en ningún laboratorio (lab) se obtuvieron resultados falsos positivos. En el grupo de MH no se obtuvieron falsos negativos en las 10 hirsutas con valores aumentados de T por LC-MS/MS. En las 2 pacientes hirsutas con T normal en 4 métodos se obtuvieron falsos positivos Estadísticamente los resultados fueron significativamente diferentes, en las MN por Centauro y en las MH por Immulite y Centauro. En el análisis de Bland-Altman Centauro y Cobas en las MH presentaron más del 5 % de los resultados fuera del límite de acuerdo. Resultados por p-Speerman todos los métodos fueron diferentes a LC-MSMS en las MN y no se obtuvieron diferencias en el grupo de MH. Evaluando el bias de cada muestra en cada laboratorio respecto a LC-MS/MS y adoptando el criterio de aceptabilidad de ± 6,4 % mean bias de cada método respecto al de LC-MS/MS, 2 de las metodologías estudiadas, Architect 2da generación y Cobas pasaron satisfactoriamente el requisito de validación, sin embargo de los 3 laboratorios que emplearon 2da generación, 1 no pasó el criterio de validación y de los 4 que usaron Cobas, 2 tampoco lo pasaron. Esto demuestra la gran variabilidad de los métodos aun entre lab que emplean la misma técnica. Conclusiones: Desde el punto de vista clínico los métodos habitualmente empleados en nuestro medio, no sobrediagnosticaron o subdiagnosticaron hiperandrogenismo, por no presentar falsos positivos o negativos respectivamente. Sin embargo Immulite, Centauro, RIA y Access presentaron falsos positivos en las 2 hirsutas con T normal. En la relación de los resultados de cada muestra en cada método sobre el valor de LC-MS/MS referido a la concentración de T en ese suero por LC-MS/MS, la mayor dispersión de los resultados se observaron con valores menores de 0,3 ng/ml, muy cercano al límite de detección de las diferentes técnicas.

Objective: To compare T results in normal and hirsute women, obtained by different laboratories employing the same or different methods, including an in-home RIA, and the gold standard method LC-MS/MS. In addition, T results were referred to a curve obtained by 6 different pools that had been prepared on the basis of LC-MS/MS results. Design: Prospective study Setting: Hormone Determination Laboratory, Hospital Italiano, La Plata, and private practice of each participant laboratory. Patient(s): Blood samples were obtained from 78 individuals sorted into 3 groups, namely, normal men (n:39), normal women (n:24) and hirsute women (n:15) Interventions(s): None Main Outcome Measure(s): To evaluate if the results obtained in each lab for each serum sample by the methods currently employed in our country are significantly different from those obtained by LC-MS/MS (Gold standard) Result(s) One out of the 24 NW showed high T values by LC - MS/MS. In each lab, except in 1 (Architect) T results of this serum sample were normal. Two out of the 15 hirsute patients showed normal T values (LC - MS/MS). Method and number of labs -shown between brackets- and percentages of normal T results (false negatives) are described for each method as follows: Chemiluminescence: Axsym - Abbott (Axn) - (3) 85, Architect - Abbott - (Arch); (2) 70; Immulite - Siemmens - (IMM); (2) 42; Electrochemiluminescence - Elecsys - Roche- ((EQL); (4) 52; Fluorescent enzymatic - Vidas - Bio-Merieux - (Vidas) (1) 69; Manual coated tube radioimmunoassay (RIA): RIA - Siemmens Coat-a-Count (RIA S); (3) 64; RIA - DSL Inc (RIA DSL); (1) 31; RIA - DIASource - (DiaS); (1) 31; and in-Home RIA (in-H) (1) 12. Statistically significant differences were obtained between different methods and against LC MS/MS. In-H method is the one that comes closest to 1 on the Weighted Deming regression and closest to zero on the SD intercept, (standard deviation of the constant in the straight line equation) indicating that the values match those obtained by LC - MS/MS. The values recorded by the various methods employed showed no significant modifications when plotted against a secondary standard curve. Conclusion(s) This indicates that the techniques in current use in our area underestimate hyperandrogenemia in these patients. Discrepancies are not due to the various calibration curves proposed in the corresponding commercial kits. The fact that the In-H technique affords finer results while employing a larger serum volume suggests that the disparities among the various commercial methods result from their limited sensitivity to the sample volumes they process.

El diagnóstico de hiperandrogenemia requiere la demostración de niveles aumentados de Testosterona Total (TT) en suero. Los inmuno ensayos comerciales dan resultados divergentes a niveles bajos de TT como los obtenidos en mujeres. Valoramos los niveles de TT en 24 mujeres normales (MN) y 15 hirsutas (MH) en 18 laboratorios por métodos comúnmente empleados en nuestro medio. Los métodos y número de laboratorio que emplearon cada método se muestra entre paréntesis así como los porcentajes de T normal (falsos negativos) obtenidos en cada método fueron: Quimioluminiscencia: Axsym - Abbott (Axn)- (3) (85), Architect - Abbott - (Arch); (2) 70; Immulite - Siemmens - (IMM); (2) 42; Electroquimioluminiscencia - Elecsys - Roche- ((EQL); (4) 52; Enzimático acoplado a fluorescencia Vidas - Bio-Merieux - (Vidas) (1) 69, Radioinmunoiensayo en tubo recubierto (RIA): RIA - Siemmens (RIA S); (3) 64; RIA - DSL Inc (RIA DSL); (1) 31; RIA - DIASource - (DiaS); (1) 31; y un método desarrollado en uno de los laboratorios (in-H) (1) 12. Comparativamente a LC MS/MS los niveles fueron en todas las muestras significativamente más bajos por Axn y en 18 de las 24 MN por DiaS. En 7 casos; 3 por RIA S, 2 por IMM y 1 por EQL y Arch los valores de TT fueron superiores al límite superior de sus respectivos métodos. En todos los casos se obtuvo una gran variación entre los mismos y con diferentes métodos. Trece de las 15 MH tuvieron niveles altos de TT por LC MS/MS. De las MH con TT aumentada de acuerdo a la determinación por LC MS/MS entre el 12 y el 85 % de las mismas por los distintos métodos fueron normales, indicando que en la mayoría de los métodos habitualmente utilizados en nuestro medio subvaloran la hipernadrogenemia en estas pacientes. Estas diferencias se hacen más notorias a niveles más bajos de TT (Se obtuvieron valores normales en el 71 % de los casos con valores de TT entre 0,47 y 0,74 ng/ml y en el 38 % de los casos, con niveles de TT mayor a 0,98 ng/ml). En 9 muestras se determinó la TT empleando una curva en el rango de 0,21 a 6,44 ng/ml preparada con de una mezcla de 78 sueros cuyos valores fueron obtenidos por LC MS/MS. No se obtuvo una modificación significativa de los valores indicando que la diferencia entre los distintos métodos no es debida a las diferentes curvas de calibración de los kits comerciales. En conclusión ninguno de los métodos mayormente empleados en nuestro medio son aceptables para la evaluación de niveles menores a 1,5 ng/ml

Objective: To compare T results in normal and hirsute women, obtained by different laboratories employing the same or different methods, including an in-home RIA, and the gold standard method LC-MS/MS. In addition, T results were referred to a curve obtained by 6 different pools that had been prepared on the basis of LC-MS/MS results. Design: Prospective study Setting: Hormone Determination Laboratory, Hospital Italiano, La Plata, and private practice of each participant laboratory. Patient(s): Blood samples were obtained from 78 individuals sorted into 3 groups, namely, normal men (n:39), normal women (n:24) and hirsute women (n:15) Interventions(s): None Main Outcome Measure(s): To evaluate if the results obtained in each lab for each serum sample by the methods currently employed in our country are significantly different from those obtained by LC-MS/MS (Gold standard) Result(s) One out of the 24 NW showed high T values by LC - MS/MS. In each lab, except in 1 (Architect) T results of this serum sample were normal. Two out of the 15 hirsute patients showed normal T values (LC - MS/MS). Method and number of labs -shown between brackets- and percentages of normal T results (false negatives) are described for each method as follows: Chemiluminescence: Axsym - Abbott (Axn) - (3) 85, Architect - Abbott - (Arch); (2) 70; Immulite - Siemmens - (IMM); (2) 42; Electrochemiluminescence - Elecsys - Roche- ((EQL); (4) 52; Fluorescent enzymatic - Vidas - Bio-Merieux - (Vidas) (1) 69; Manual coated tube radioimmunoassay (RIA): RIA - Siemmens Coat-a-Count (RIA S); (3) 64; RIA - DSL Inc (RIA DSL); (1) 31; RIA - DIASource - (DiaS); (1) 31; and in-Home RIA (in-H) (1) 12. Statistically significant differences were obtained between different methods and against LC MS/MS. In-H method is the one that comes closest to 1 on the Weighted Deming regression and closest to zero on the SD intercept, (standard deviation of the constant in the straight line equation) indicating that the values match those obtained by LC - MS/MS. The values recorded by the various methods employed showed no significant modifications when plotted against a secondary standard curve. Conclusion(s) This indicates that the techniques in current use in our area underestimate hyperandrogenemia in these patients. Discrepancies are not due to the various calibration curves proposed in the corresponding commercial kits. The fact that the In-H technique affords finer results while employing a larger serum volume suggests that the disparities among the various commercial methods result from their limited sensitivity to the sample volumes they process. No financial conflicts of interest exist.

El diagnóstico de hiperandrogenemia requiere la demostración de niveles aumentados de Testosterona Total (TT) en suero. Los inmuno ensayos comerciales dan resultados divergentes a niveles bajos de TT como los obtenidos en mujeres. Valoramos los niveles de TT en 24 mujeres normales (MN) y 15 hirsutas (MH) en 18 laboratorios por métodos comúnmente empleados en nuestro medio, Quimioluminiscencia: Axsym - Abbott (Axn)- (3 ), Architect - Abbott - (Arch); (2); Immulite - Siemmens - (IMM); (2); Electroquimioluminiscencia - Elecsys - Roche- ((EQL); (4); Enzimático acoplado a fluorescencia Vidas - Bio-Merieux - (Vidas) (1), Radioinmunoiensayo en tubo recubierto (RIA): RIA - Siemmens (RIA S); (3) 64; RIA - DSL Inc (RIA DSL); (1) 31; RIA - DIASource - (DiaS); (1) 31; y un metodo desarrollado en uno de los laboratorios (in-H) (1).El número entreparéntesis indica elnúmero de laboratorios que emplearon la misma técnica,y comparamos los resultados por LC MS/MS. Comparativamente a LC MS/MS los niveles fueron en todas las muestras significativamente más bajos por AXS y en 18 de las 24 MN por DiaS. En 7 casos; 3 por RIA S, 2 por IMM y 1 por EQL y Arch los valores de TT fueron superiores al límite superior de sus respectivos métodos. En todos los casos se obtuvo una gran variación entre los mismos y con diferentes métodos. Trece de las 15 MH tuvieron niveles altos de TT por LC MS/MS. De las MH con TT aumentada de acuerdo a la determinación por LC MS/MS entre el 12 y el 85 % de las mismas por los distintos métodos fueron normales, indicando que en la mayoría de los métodos habitualmente utilizados en nuestro medio subvaloran la hipernadrogenemia en estas pacientes. Estas diferencias se hacen más notorias a niveles más bajos de TT (Se obtuvieron valores normales en el 71 % de los casos con valores de TT entre 0.47 y 0.74 ng/ml y en el 38 % de los casos, con niveles de TT mayor a 0.98 ng/ml). En 9 muestras se determinó la TT empleando una curva en el rango de 0.21 a 6.44 ng/ml preparada con de una mezcla de 78 sueros cuyos valores fueron obtenidos por LC MS/MS. No se obtuvo una modificación significativa de los valores indicando que la diferencia entre los distintos métodos no es debida a las diferentes curvas de calibración de los kit comerciales. En conclusión ninguno de los métodos mayormente empleados en nuestro medio son aceptables para la evaluación de niveles menores a 1.5 ng/ml.

OBJECTIVE: To know the perception of nursing students on their quality of life. METHODS: A cross-sectional study in São Paulo School of Nursing, Federal University of São Paulo / Brazil. The sample consisted of 178 undergraduates. To obtain the data, we used the generic instrument WHOQOL-brief. Interest groups were tested for normality using Kolmogorov-Smirnov and student t-test. RESULTS: The students considered their quality of life good and were satisfied with their health. The analysis found the highest average score occurred in the domain of social relationships and the lowest was in the physical domain. The students in their first year of courses had a lower quality of life than those in their second, across all domains; they were higher in the physical domain than those in their third year; and were higher than those in their fourth year in terms of the environmental domain. CONCLUSION: the students deserve attention on aspects of quality of life, especially on the physical aspects and students in their first courses must be followed.

OBJETIVO: Conocer la percepción de graduandos de Enfermería sobre su calidad de vida. MÉTODOS: Estudio transversal realizado en la Escuela Paulista de Enfermería de la Universidad Federal del Estado de Sao Paulo/Brasil. Muestra constituída por 178 graduandos. Para la obtención de los datos, se utilizó el instrumento genérico WHOQOL-bref. Los grupos de interés fueron sometidos a los test de normalidad de Kolmogorov-Smirnov y el t de Students. RESULTADOS: Los graduandos consideraban su calidad de vida bueno y estaban satisfechos con su salud. En el análisis, el escor medio encontró el mayor resultado para el dominio de las relaciones sociales y el menor para el físico. Los alumnos de la primera serie, presentaron calidad de vida menor que los de la segunda en todos los dominios y éstos mayor que los de la tercera en el dominio físico y mayor que la cuarta en el dominio medio ambiente. CONCLUSIÓN: los graduandos merecen atención en los aspectos de la calidad de vida sobre todo en los aspectos físicos y los alumnos de la primera serie deben ser acompañados.

OBJETIVO: Conhecer a percepção de graduandos de Enfermagem sobre sua qualidade de vida. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal realizado na Escola Paulista de Enfermagem da Universidade Federal do Estado de São Paulo/Brasil. Amostra constituída de 178 graduandos. Para a obtenção dos dados, utilizou-se o instrumento genérico WHOQOL-bref. Os grupos de interesse foram submetidos aos testes de normalidade de Kolmogorov-Smirnov e o t de Students. RESULTADOS: Os graduandos consideravam sua qualidade de vida boa e estavam satisfeitos com sua saúde. Na análise, o escore médio encontrou resultado maior para o domínio das relações sociais e o menor para o físico. Os alunos da primeira série, apresentou qualidade de vida menor do que os da segunda em todos os domínios e estes maior do que os da terceira no domínio físico e maior que a quarta no domínio meio ambiente. CONCLUSÃO: os graduandos merecem atenção nos aspectos da qualidade de vida sobretudo nos aspectos físicos e os alunos da primeira série devem ser acompanhados.

OBJETIVO: Conhecer a percepção de graduandos de Enfermagem sobre sua qualidade de vida. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal realizado na Escola Paulista de Enfermagem da Universidade Federal do Estado de São Paulo/Brasil. Amostra constituída de 178 graduandos. Para a obtenção dos dados, utilizou-se o instrumento genérico WHOQOL-bref. Os grupos de interesse foram submetidos aos testes de normalidade de Kolmogorov-Smirnov e o t de Students. RESULTADOS: Os graduandos consideravam sua qualidade de vida boa e estavam satisfeitos com sua saúde. Na análise, o escore médio encontrou resultado maior para o domínio das relações sociais e o menor para o físico. Os alunos da primeira série, apresentou qualidade de vida menor do que os da segunda em todos os domínios e estes maior do que os da terceira no domínio físico e maior que a quarta no domínio meio ambiente. CONCLUSÃO: os graduandos merecem atenção nos aspectos da qualidade de vida sobretudo nos aspectos físicos e os alunos da primeira série devem ser acompanhados.

OBJECTIVE: To know the perception of nursing students on their quality of life. METHODS: A cross-sectional study in São Paulo School of Nursing, Federal University of São Paulo / Brazil. The sample consisted of 178 undergraduates. To obtain the data, we used the generic instrument WHOQOL-brief. Interest groups were tested for normality using Kolmogorov-Smirnov and student t-test. RESULTS: The students considered their quality of life good and were satisfied with their health. The analysis found the highest average score occurred in the domain of social relationships and the lowest was in the physical domain. The students in their first year of courses had a lower quality of life than those in their second, across all domains; they were higher in the physical domain than those in their third year; and were higher than those in their fourth year in terms of the environmental domain. CONCLUSION: the students deserve attention on aspects of quality of life, especially on the physical aspects and students in their first courses must be followed.

OBJETIVO: Conocer la percepción de graduandos de Enfermería sobre su calidad de vida. MÉTODOS: Estudio transversal realizado en la Escuela Paulista de Enfermería de la Universidad Federal del Estado de Sao Paulo/Brasil. Muestra constituída por 178 graduandos. Para la obtención de los datos, se utilizó el instrumento genérico WHOQOL-bref. Los grupos de interés fueron sometidos a los test de normalidad de Kolmogorov-Smirnov y el t de Students. RESULTADOS: Los graduandos consideraban su calidad de vida bueno y estaban satisfechos con su salud. En el análisis, el escor medio encontró el mayor resultado para el dominio de las relaciones sociales y el menor para el físico. Los alumnos de la primera serie, presentaron calidad de vida menor que los de la segunda en todos los dominios y éstos mayor que los de la tercera en el dominio físico y mayor que la cuarta en el dominio medio ambiente. CONCLUSIÓN: los graduandos merecen atención en los aspectos de la calidad de vida sobre todo en los aspectos físicos y los alumnos de la primera serie deben ser acompañados.

OBJETIVO: Descrever o perfil neuropsicológico dos subtipos de comprometimento cognitivo leve, amnéstico, não-amnéstico e múltiplos domínios, de uma amostra clínica. Além disto, avaliou-se as propriedades diagnósticas do Mini-exame do Estado Mental e do Cambridge Cognitive Examination na identificação dos diferentes subtipos de comprometimento cognitivo leve na prática clínica. MÉTODO: Avaliação clínica e neuropsicológica transversal de 249 idosos em uma clínica de memória de um hospital universitário em São Paulo, Brasil. RESULTADOS: Testes de rastreio para demência (Mini-exame do Estado Mental e Cambridge Cognitive Examination) identificam corretamente casos de doença de Alzheimer leve, mas não apresentam boa acurácia para diferenciar os diversos subtipos de comprometimento cognitivo leve. A performance dos sujeitos portadores de comprometimento cognitivo leve foi heterogênea nos diferentes testes da bateria neuropsicológica, com uma tendência a uma pior performance global nos pacientes com o subtipo amnéstico (especialmente os com envolvimento de múltiplos domínios cognitivos) em relação ao comprometimento cognitivo leve não-amnéstico. CONCLUSÕES: A discriminação dos diferentes subtipos de comprometimento cognitivo leve foi possível somente a partir de uma avaliação neuropsicológica detalhada. Desta maneira, é necessário o desenvolvimento de novas estratégias de rastreio para esta condição na prática clínica.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the neuropsychological profile of mild cognitive impairment subtypes (amnestic, non-amnestic and multiple-domain) of a clinical sample. We further address the diagnostic properties of the Mini-Mental State Examination and the Cambridge Cognitive Examination for the identification of the different mild cognitive impairment subtypes in clinical practice. METHOD: Cross-sectional clinical and neuropsychological evaluation of 249 elderly patients attending a memory clinic at a university hospital in Sao Paulo, Brazil. RESULTS: The performance of patients with mild cognitive impairment was heterogeneous across the different subtests of the neuropsychological battery, with a trend towards an overall worse performance for amnestic (particularly multiple domain) mild cognitive impairment as compared to non-amnestic subtypes. Screening tests for dementia (Mini-Mental State Examination and Cambridge Cognitive Examination) adequately discriminated cases of mild Alzheimer's disease from controls, but they were not accurate to discriminate patients with mild cognitive impairment (all subtypes) from control subjects. CONCLUSIONS: The discrimination of mild cognitive impairment subtypes was possible only with the aid of a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment. It is necessary to develop new strategies for mild cognitive impairment screening in clinical practice.

Introduction: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the circulating levels of Testosterone (T), free T (TL), DHEAs and Androstanediol glucuronide (A2G) in hirsute women with regular menstrual cycles (CM) in follicular phase (FF), and in a samples obtained 5 to 10 days before the next menstrual bleeding (FL), in order to 1) biochemically define type of hirsutism and 2) determine whether the increase in progesterone (P4) induces changes in androgen levels. Materials and Methods: Sixty five hirsute women with regular CM were studied. FF levels of T, A2G and DHEAs were determined by RIA, and TL by mass law calculation. FL levels of P4 were measured by RIA. In 28 of the 65 patients the androgen profile was also evaluated in FL. Results: The levels of T correlated in every case with those of TL. In 51 patients P4 levels were ovulatory. Twenty five of them showed normal androgen levels (Idiopathic hirsutism). From the remaining 26 patients, 2 had increased T, and 4 had increased DHEAs. Two parameters were found increased in the following cases: DHEAs and A2G in 2, T and DHEAs in 1, and T and A2G in 1. All the 3 parameters were found increased in 4 cases. These patients were ovulatory hiperandrogenic women. The remaining 12 of these 26 hirsute women had only A2G increased. Since this steroid is the peripheral expression of the 5alpha reductase activity, these women could be included in the ovulatory hiperandrogenic group because of a local increase in DHT. In 14 of the 65 patients the levels of P4 correlated with anovulatory cycles corresponding to Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (SOP). In 6 of them an increase of 1, 2 or the 3 parameters were observed (Hiperandrogenic SOP); in the remaining 6 patients androgen levels were normal (SOP with clinical hirsutism). FL A2G significantly increased in women with ovulatory cycles (4.89±2.19 vs 3.36±2.38 ng/ml in FL and FF, respectively. Differences were no significant in the anovulatory patients (4.32±3.16 vs 4.69±4.54 ng/ml in FL and FF, respectively. These results indicate that P4 could induce an increase in A2G. Since T did not change in FL respect to FF (0.28±0.22 vs 0.30±0.25ng/ml in ovulatory hirsute and 0.47±0.32 vs 0.42±0.23 in anovulatory hirsute) it is possible that P4 increases A2G through a pathway different than that of T and DHT. Conclusions: Based on these results we conclude that A2G could be used as a complementary parameter in the study of hiperandrogenism, only in FF since in FL, it could be the result of the metabolism of non-androgenic hormones.

Introducción: El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar Los niveles de Testosterona (T), T libre TL, DHEAs y Androstanodiol glucuronidato (A2G) mujeres hirsutas con ciclos menstruales (CM) regulares en la fase folicular (FF) y en una muestra tomada entre -5 a -10 días premenstrual (FL) a los efectos de 1) poder definir bioquímicamente el tipo de hirsutismo y 2) determinar si el aumento de Progesterona modifica los niveles de los andrógenos. Materiales y Métodos: En 65 mujeres hirsutas con CM regulares se determinó en FF los niveles de T, A2G, y DHEAs por RIE y TL calculada por la ecuación de la ley de acción de masas, y en la FL los niveles de P4. En 28 de las 65 pacientes, en la FL se repitió el perfil androgénico Resultados: Los niveles de T correlacionaron, en todos los casos, con los de TL. En 51 de las pacientes los niveles de P4 fueron ovulatorios, 25 de las cuales tuvieron normales los andrógenos evaluados (Hirsutismo Idiopático) De las 26 pacientes restantes, en 2 tenían T aumentada, en 4 la DHEAS. Se obtuvieron 2 parámetros aumentados en los siguientes casos; en 2 la DHEAs y el A2G, en 1 la T y la DHEAs y en1 la T y el A2G. En 4 pacientes se obtuvieron incremento de los 3 parámetros. Estas pacientes corresponden a Hiperandrogénicas ovulatorias. Las 12 restantes de estas 26 hirsutas tenían solamente el A2G aumentados. Dado que éste constituye la expresión periférica de la 5alfa reductasa, las mismas podrían incluirse en el grupo de hiperandrogénicas ovulatorias por aumento local de DHT. En 14 de las 65 pacientes los niveles de P4 fueron compatibles con ciclos anovulatorios correspondiendo a pacientes con Síndrome de Ovario Poliquístico (SOP). En 6 de ellas se constató aumento de 1, 2 o los 3 parámetros evaluados (SOP hiperandrogénicos), en las restantes 6 pacientes los niveles androgénicos fueron normales (SOP con hirsutismo clínico). El A2G aumentó significativamente en FL en las mujeres con ciclos ovulatorios (4.89±2.19 vs 3.36±2.38 ng/ml en FL y FF, respectivamente). En las anovulatorias las diferencias no fueron significativas (4.32±3.16 vs 4.69±4.54 ng/ml en FL y FF, respectivamente. Estos resultados indican que la P4 podría inducir un incremento del A2G. Dado que la T no se modificó en la FL respecto a FF (0.28±0.22 vs 0.30±0.25ng/ml en hirsutas ovulatorias y 0.47±0.32 vs 0.42±0.23 en hirsutas anovulatorias) es posible que la P4 aumente el A2G por un camino distinto a la de la T y DHT Conclusiones: En base a estos resultados podemos concluir que la determinación de A2G podría ser empleada como parámetro complementario en el estudio del hiperandrogenismo debiendo realizarse en FF dado que en FL podría ser el resultado del metabolismo de hormonas no androgénicas.

The present study aimed at assessing the effects of methionine and arginine on the immune response of broiler chickens submitted to immunological stimuli. Three methionine concentrations (0.31, 0.51, and 0.66% from 1 to 21 days of age; 0.29, 0.49, and 0.64% from 22 to 42 days of age) and 2 arginine concentrations (1.33 and 1.83%; 1.14 and 1.64% for the same life periods) were tested. Birds were divided into two groups for immunological stimuli (3x2x2 arrangement). Vaccines against Marek's disease, fowl pox, infectious bronchitis, Freund's Complete Adjuvant, Sheep red blood cells (SRBC), and avian tuberculin were administered to one group as immunological stimuli; the other group did not receive any stimulus. The experiment was carried out with 432 one-day-old male Ross broilers, distributed into 12 treatments with 6 replicates of 6 birds each. Performance data were weekly collected. Anti-SRBC antibodies were collected by hemagglutination test and cell immune response (CIR) was measured by tubercularization reaction in one wattle 24 hours after administration of the second tuberculin injection at 42 days of age. The weight difference between the two wattles of each bird (one injected with tuberculin and the other not) was the measure of CIR. Arginine levels did not influence either bird performance or immune response. Methionine concentrations higher or lower than usually adopted in broiler production (0.51 and 0.49%) equally failed to influence the birds' immune humoral response, but the best CIR was observed at the intermediate methionine level. Vaccines administered on the first day of age impaired bird performance up to the 21st day of age.

Populações de Euphorbia heterophylla resistentes (R) aos herbicidas inibidores da enzima acetolactato sintase encontram-se amplamente disseminadas em várias regiões do Brasil. Resíduos culturais de várias espécies apresentam elevado potencial para suprimir o desenvolvimento de plantas daninhas. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos de diferentes níveis de resíduos das partes aéreas de sorgo, milho e aveia na supressão de E. heterophylla resistente a herbicidas. Foram realizados dois experimentos em vasos com delineamento experimental completamente casualizado, com quatro repetições. No primeiro, os tratamentos foram arranjados em fatorial 4x6, em que o fator A representou três híbridos de sorgo (AG-2501, Dow 1P-400 e BR-501) e um de milho (AG-3010); e o fator B, seis níveis de resíduos na superfície do solo (0, 3,25, 6,5, 9,75, 13 e 26 t ha-1). Os tratamentos do segundo experimento foram arranjados em fatorial 2 x 6, em que A representou as espécies (sorgo e aveia) e B os níveis de resíduos (0, 1,12, 3,25, 6,5, 13 e 26 t ha-1). A emergência das plantas de E. heterophylla foi atrasada e reduzida. Estimou-se que seriam necessárias 28,6 t ha-1 de palha de sorgo para causar redução de 50% na emergência de plântulas. O número de folhas diminuiu com a elevação dos níveis de resíduos da parte aérea de sorgo e milho. Níveis intermediários de resíduos de Dow 1P-400 reduziram mais o IVE do que os outros híbridos de sorgo, entretanto não houve diferenças entre genótipos quanto à emergência de plântulas. Resíduos da parte aérea de aveia não foram eficazes em reduzir a emergência de E. heterophylla.

Euphorbia heterophylla populations resistant to ALS-inhibitors were reported in many regions in Brazil. Straw residues of many species have shown high potential to supress weeds. The objective of this work was to evaluate the efficacy of different rates of sorghum, corn and black oat shoot residues in supressing emergence and growth of E. heterophylla resistant to herbicides. Two experiments were conducted in pots in a completely randomized design, with four replicates, arranged in a factorial scheme. In the first trial, factor A was composed by sorghum (AG-2501, Dow 1P-400 and Br-501) and corn (AG-3010) hybrids and factor B by six rates of sorghum and corn residues above soil surface (0, 3.25, 6.5, 9.75, 13 and 26 t ha-1 ). In the second trial, factor A was composed by two species (sorghum and oat) and factor B by shoot residue rates (0, 1.12, 3.25, 6.5, 13 and 26 t ha-1). Emergence of E. heterophylla plants was delayed and decreased. The total number of leaves decreased with increase of sorghum and corn straw rate. However, it was estimated that 28.6 t ha-1 of sorghum residues would be necessary to decrease 50% emergence. Dow 1P-400 sorghum straw at intermediate rates presented a greater potential to decrease IVE than the other sorghum hybrids, but no difference was observed between emergence of sorghum genotypes. Black oat shoot straw was not efficient in decreasing E. heterophylla emergence.

The nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) family of transcription factors has been primarily identified in immune cells; however, these proteins have been recently found to be functionally active in several other non-immune cell types. NFAT proteins are activated upon different stimuli that lead to increased intracellular calcium levels. Regardless of their widely known cytokine gene expression properties, NFATs have been shown to regulate other genes related to cell cycle progression, cell differentiation and apoptosis, revealing a broader role for these proteins in normal cell physiology. Several reports have addressed the participation of NFATs in many aspects of malignant cell transformation and tumorigenic processes. In this review, we will discuss the involvement of the different NFAT family members in the regulation of cell cycling, differentiation and tumor formation, and also its implications on oncogenesis. Better understanding the mechanisms by which NFATs regulate cell cycle and tumor-related events should be relevant for the development of rational anti-cancer therapies.

El trasplante renal en pediatria representa la modalidad óptimade manejo de la insuficiencia renal crónica, ya que permite recuperar en diversos grados las severas complicaciones propias de la uremia, especialmente el retraso del crecimiento. Objetivo: Evaluar los resultados del trasplante renal pediátrico en 3 centros hospitalarios del país,en un período de 10 años(1989-1999). Pacientes y Método: Evaluación retrospectiva de los trasplantes renales enbase a un protocolo común, efectuados en los hospitales Exequiel González ,Cortés, Luis Calvo Mackenna y San Juan de Dios, entre julio de 1989 y juliode 1999. Se analizaron 3 grupos de variables: un primer grupo de tipo descriptivo para variables demográficas; un segundo grupo para analizar el crecimiento desde el período de recién nacido hasta el último año de seguimiento, y un tercer grupo que analizó aspectos con relación al trasplante, en especial la inmunosupresión, las complicaciones y la función del injerto por períodos anuales. Las variables continuas fueron expresadas como promedio±desviación estándar, el crecimiento como puntaje Z, la función renal se graficó como el inverso de creatinina en plasma,y al igual que la evaluación del rechazo agudo enrelación al tipode donante vivo o cadáver, se analizó con la prueba de chi2 de Pearson. El análisis de la función renal en relación a los tiempos de isquemia tibia y fría se evaluó por el test t de Student, y la sobrevida a 1,3 y 5 años para el injerto y pacientes se estudió por la curva de Kaplan Meier. Seconsideró significativo un p <5S%. Resultados: Se realizaron 98 trasplantes en 92 pacientes, edad 10,9 + 3,2 años, rango 2 a 17; las 3 patologías más importantes causantes de la insuficiencia renal que llevó al trasplante fueron la nefropatía del reflujo, las displasias o bipoplasias renales,y la glomerulonefritis crónica. El crecimiento mostró una caída de un Z-0,6 al nacer a-2,14 al inicio de la diálisis(p <0,005), y a-2,57 al momento del trasplante (p < 0,05). A los 3 años postrasplante el Z fue de -2,38 , y a los 5 años-2,93. La sobrevida actuarial de los pacientes a1, 3 y 5 años fue de 97,8/95,2 y 92,6 respectivamente para los trasplantes donante vivo, y de 92,6/92,6 y 92,6 en los mismos plazos para los trasplantes donante cadáver. La sobrevida del injerto fue de 89,78 y 71%al 1,3 y 5 años para donante vivo, y de 84,76 y 70% respectivamente para donante cadáver. Entre lascausas de pérdida del injerto destacan el abandono del tratamiento en 8 casos,la trombosis de los vasos renales en 6, el rechazo crónico en 4 y el rechazo agudo en 3 trasplantes. Las causas de fallecimiento en los 4 pacientes de la serie fueron una septicemia en 2 casos, una bronconeumonía por CMV en 1, y la ruptura de arteria renal en 1 caso. Conclusiones: Este reporte confirma que el trasplante renal pediátrico puede ser realizado en nuestro medio con aceptable morbilidad, baja mortalidad y con una sobrevida del injerto semejante a reportes internacionales.

Paedriatric renal transplantis the treatment of choice in chronic renal failure(CRF), in that it permits the recuperation to differing degrees the severe consequences of uraemia, especially in terms of growth retardation. Objective: To evaluate the results of renal transplantation in 3 hospital centers during a 10 year period(1989-99). Patients and Methods: A retrospective study using a standard protocol carried out in the hospitals Exequiel Gonzá1ez Cortés,Luis Calvo Mackenna and San Juan de Dios between july 1989 and july 1999. 3 types of variables were analyzed; 1)demograpbic description, 2)growth between birth and the last year of follow-up, and 3) transplant related factors, especially innnunosuppression, transplantcomplications and graft function during annual periods.Continuous variables were expressed as mean + SD, growth as Z score, renal function as l/plasma creatinine, and togelher with the analysis of acute rejection in relation to live or cadaveric donor, were analyzed using Pearsons Chi-squared. Renal function with regards to warm or cold ischaemia was evaluated using Students t-test ,while Kaplan-Meier curves were used in the analysis of survival at 1,3, and 5 years both for patients and grafts. In all the tests a pvalue< 0,05 was considered significant. Results: 98 transplants were carried out on92patients, aged 10.9 + 3.2 years, range 2-17,the 3 most important causes of CRF were reflux nephropathy, renal dis-or hypoplasia and chronic glomerulonephritis. Growth showed a fall from a Z of-0.6 at birth, to-2.14 at the beginning of dialysis (p <0.05) to-2.57 at the moment of transplant (p < 0,05). At 3 and 5 yrs post transplant the Z values were-2.38 and-2.93 respectively. Actuarial patient survival rates at 1,3 and 5 yrs were 97.8, 95.2 and 92.6 for live donors and 92.6,92.6,and 92.6 for cadaveric donors respectively. Graft survival for livedonors was 89,78 and 71% and cadaveric donors 84, 76 and 70% during the same time intervals. Reasons for graft failure were abandoning treatment 8 cases, renal vessel thrombosis 6, chronic rejection 4 and acute rejection 3 cases,4 patients died, 2 from septicaemia, 1 from bronchopneumonia and 1dueto renal artery rupture. Conclusions: This report confirms that paedriatric renal transplant can be performed in Chile with an acceptable morbidity, a low mortality and with graft survivals similar to intemational centers.

Paedriatric renal transplant is the treatment of choice in chronic renal failure (CRF), in that it permits the recuperation to differing degrees the severe consequences of uraemia, especially in terms of growth retardation. Objective: To evaluate the results of renal transplantation in 3 hospital centers during a 10 year period (1989-99). Patients and Methods: A retrospective study using a standard protocol carried out in the hospitals Exequiel González Cortés, Luis Calvo Mackenna and San Juan de Dios between july 1989 and july 1999. 3 types of variables were analyzed; 1) demographic description, 2) growth between birth and the last year of follow-up, and 3) transplant related factors, especially immunosuppression, transplant complications and graft function during annual periods. Continuous variables were expressed as mean + SD, growth as Z score, renal function as 1/plasma creatinine, and together with the analysis of acute rejection in relation to live or cadaveric donor, were analyzed using Pearson´s Chi-squared. Renal function with regards to warm or cold ischaemia was evaluated using Student´s t-test, while Kaplan-Meier curves were used in the analysis of survival at 1,3, and 5 years both for patients and grafts. In all the tests a p value < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: 98 transplants were carried out on 92 patients, aged 10.9 + 3.2 years, range 2-17, the 3 most important causes of CRF were reflux nephropathy, renal dis- or hypoplasia and chronic glomerulonephritis. Growth showed a fall from a Z of -0.6 at birth, to -2.14 at the beginning of dialysis (p < 0.05) to -2.57 at the moment of transplant (p < 0.05). At 3 and 5yrs post transplant the Z values were -2.38 and -2.93 respectively. Actuarial patient survival rates at 1, 3 and 5yrs were 97.8, 95.2 and 92.6 for live donors and 92.6, 92.6, and 92.6 for cadaveric donors respectively. Graft survival for live donors was 89, 78 and 71% and cadaveric donors 84, 76 and 70% during the same time intervals. Reasons for graft failure were abandoning treatment 8 cases, renal vessel thrombosis 6, chronic rejection 4 and acute rejection 3 cases. 4 patients died, 2 from septicaemia, 1 from bronchopneumonia and 1 due to renal artery rupture. Conclusions: This report confirms that paedriatric renal transplant can be performed in Chile with an acceptable morbidity, a low mortality and with graft survivals similar to international centers

El trasplante renal en pediatría representa la modalidad óptima de manejo de la insuficiencia renal crónica, ya que permite recuperar en diversos grados las severas complicaciones propias de la uremia, especialmente el retraso del crecimiento. Objetivo: Evaluar los resultados del trasplante renal pediátrico en 3 centros hospitalarios del país, en un período de 10 años (1989-1999). Pacientes y Método: Evaluación retrospectiva de los trasplantes renales en base a un protocolo común, efectuados en los hospitales Exequiel González Cortés, Luis Calvo Mackenna y San Juan de Dios, entre julio de 1989 y julio de 1999. Se analizaron 3 grupos de variables: un primer grupo de tipo descriptivo para variables demográficas; un segundo grupo para analizar el crecimiento desde el período de recién nacido hasta el último año de seguimiento, y un tercer grupo que analizó aspectos con relación al trasplante, en especial la inmunosupresión, las complicaciones y la función del injerto por períodos anuales. Las variables continuas fueron expresadas como promedio ± desviación estándar, el crecimiento como puntaje Z, la función renal se graficó como el inverso de creatinina en plasma, y al igual que la evaluación del rechazo agudo en relación al tipo de donante vivo o cadáver, se analizó con la prueba de chi² de Pearson. El análisis de la función renal en relación a los tiempos de isquemia tibia y fría se evaluó por el test t de Student, y la sobrevida a 1, 3 y 5 años para el injerto y pacientes se estudió por la curva de Kaplan Meier. Se consideró significativo un p < 5%. Resultados: Se realizaron 98 trasplantes en 92 pacientes, edad 10,9 + 3,2 años, rango 2 a 17; las 3 patologías más importantes causantes de la insuficiencia renal que llevó al trasplante fueron la nefropatía del reflujo, las displasias o hipoplasias renales, y la glomerulonefritis crónica. El crecimiento mostró una caída de un Z --0,6 al nacer a --2,14 al inicio de la diálisis (p < 0,05), y a --2,57 al momento del trasplante (p < 0,05). A los 3 años postrasplante el Z fue de --2,38 , y a los 5 años --2,93. La sobrevida actuarial de los pacientes a 1, 3 y 5 años fue de 97,8 / 95,2 y 92,6 respectivamente para los trasplantes donante vivo, y de 92,6 / 92,6 y 92,6 en los mismos plazos para los trasplantes donante cadáver. La sobrevida del injerto fue de 89, 78 y 71% a 1, 3 y 5 años para donante vivo, y de 84, 76 y 70% respectivamente para donante cadáver. Entre las causas de pérdida del injerto destacan el abandono del tratamiento en 8 casos, la trombosis de los vasos renales en 6, el rechazo crónico en 4 y el rechazo agudo en 3 trasplantes. Las causas de fallecimiento en los 4 pacientes de la serie fueron una septicemia en 2 casos, una bronconeumonía por CMV en 1, y la ruptura de arteria renal en 1 caso. Conclusiones: Este reporte confirma que el trasplante renal pediátrico puede ser realizado en nuestro medio con aceptable morbilidad, baja mortalidad y con una sobrevida del injerto semejante a reportes internacionales

Proteins belonging to the NFAT (nuclear factor of activated T cells) family of transcription factors are expressed in most immune cell types, and play a central role in the transcription of cytokine genes, such as IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, and GM-CSF. The activity of NFAT proteins is regulated by the calcium/calmodulin-dependent phosphatase calcineurin, a target for inhibition by CsA and FK506. Recently, two different groups have described that mice lacking the NFAT1 transcription factor show an enhanced immune response, with tendency towards the development of a late Th2-like response. This review evaluates the possible role of NFAT proteins in the Th2 immune response and in the eosinophil-mediated allergic response.