An analysis of risk factors for arterial hypertension in adolescent students

The objective of the study was to evaluate some risk factors for increases in systemic arterial blood pressure. This transversal study was carried out with 145 individuals from 12 to18 years of age at two state schools in the city of Pico in the state of Piauí in Brazil. The majority were female (62.8%). The median age was 14.8 years (±3.19). It was ascertained that 13 of the subjects (9.0%) were overweight [CI% 73.0-86.0]. Elevations in waist circumference were found in 31 (21.4%) and 76 (52.4%) had elevated arterial blood levels. There was no statistically-significant association between the above-cited risk factors and gender (p=0.088; 0.999; 0.204, respectively). However, 44.8% of the adolescents had at least one risk factor associated with arterial hypertension; 15.9% had two, and 2.1% had three. The study confirms the influence of the risk factors on arterial pressure values among adolescents. Being aware of these factors means that nurses can intervene with health education measures.El objetivo fue evaluar de los algunos factores de riesgo para aumento de los niveles de presión arterial sistémica. Estudio transversal con 145 personas de 12 a 18 años de dos escuelas públicas de la ciudad de Picos-PI. La mayoría eran mujeres (62,8%). La edad media fue de 14,8 años (±3.19). Se encontró 13 (9,0%) tenían exceso de peso [IC% 73,0 a 86,0]. Elevaciones de la circunferencia de cintura se encontraron en 31 (21,4%) y 76 (52,4%) con niveles elevados de presión arterial. No hubo asociación estadísticamente significativa de los factores de riesgo mencionados anteriormente investigado con el sexo (p=0,088, 0,999, 0,204, respectivamente). Sin embargo, 44,8% de los jóvenes tenían al menos un factor; 15,9% dos y 2,1% tres factores relacionados con la hipertensión. Confirma la influencia de factores de riesgo en los valores de presión arterial en la juventud. Delante del conocimiento de estos factores, la enfermería podrá intervenir con medidas de educación en salud.O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar alguns fatores de risco para aumento dos níveis de pressão arterial sistêmica. Trata-se de estudo transversal, desenvolvido com 145 indivíduos de 12 a 18 anos, de duas escolas públicas da cidade de Picos, PI. A maioria era composta por mulheres (62,8%). A média de idade foi de 14,8 anos (±3,19). Verificou-se que 13 (9,0%) apresentavam excesso de peso [IC% 73,0-86,0]. Elevações da circunferência abdominal foram encontradas em 31 (21,4%), e 76 (52,4%) tinham elevação nos níveis de pressão arterial. Não houve associação estatisticamente significante dos fatores de risco investigados citados anteriormente com o sexo (p=0,088; 0,999; 0,204, respectivamente). No entanto, 44,8% dos adolescentes tinham pelo menos um fator, 15,9% dois e 2,1%, três fatores associados indicativos de hipertensão arterial. Confirma-se a influência de fatores de risco sobre os valores da pressão arterial em adolescentes. Diante do conhecimento desses fatores, a enfermagem poderá intervir com medidas de educação em saúde

Dengue Virus Inhibits Immune Responses in Aedes aegypti Cells

The ability of many viruses to manipulate the host antiviral immune response often results in complex host-pathogen interactions. In order to study the interaction of dengue virus (DENV) with the Aedes aegypti immune response, we have characterized the DENV infection-responsive transcriptome of the immune-competent A. aegypti cell line Aag2. As in mosquitoes, DENV infection transcriptionally activated the cell line Toll pathway and a variety of cellular physiological systems. Most notably, however, DENV infection down-regulated the expression levels of numerous immune signaling molecules and antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). Functional assays showed that transcriptional induction of AMPs from the Toll and IMD pathways in response to bacterial challenge is impaired in DENV-infected cells. In addition, Escherichia coli, a Gram-negative bacteria species, grew better when co-cultured with DENV-infected cells than with uninfected cells, suggesting a decreased production of AMPs from the IMD pathway in virus-infected cells. Pre-stimulation of the cell line with Gram-positive bacteria prior to DENV infection had no effect on DENV titers, while pre-stimulation with Gram-negative bacteria resulted in an increase in DENV titers. These results indicate that DENV is capable of actively suppressing immune responses in the cells it infects, a phenomenon that may have important consequences for virus transmission and insect physiology

Chloride transport and the resulting corrosion of steel bars in alkali activated slag concretes

As the relative performance of alkali activated slag (AAS) concretes in comparison to portland cement (PC) counterparts for chloride transport and resulting corrosion of steel bars is not clear, an investigation was carried out and the results are reported in this paper. The effect of alkali concentration and modulus of sodium silicate solution used in AAS was studied. Chloride transport and corrosion properties were assessed with the help of electrical resistivity, non-steady state chloride diffusivity, onset of corrosion, rate of corrosion and pore solution chemistry. It was found that: (i) although chloride content at surface was higher for the AAS concretes, they had lower chloride diffusivity than PC concrete; (ii) pore structure, ionic exchange and interaction effect of hydrates strongly influenced the chloride transport in the AAS concretes; (iii) steel corrosion resistance of the AAS concretes was comparable to that of PC concrete under intermittent chloride ponding regime, with the exception of 6 % Na2O and Ms of 1.5; (iv) the corrosion behaviour of the AAS concretes was significantly influenced by ionic exchange, carbonation and sulphide concentration; (v) the increase of alkali concentration of the activator generally increased the resistance of AAS concretes to chloride transport and reduced its resulting corrosion, and a value of 1.5 was found to be an optimum modulus for the activator for improving the chloride transport and the corrosion resistance