Prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonization in individuals from the community in the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil

Staphylococcus aureus (SA) is a commensal habitant of nasal cavities and skin. Colonization by community-acquired methicillin-resistant SA (CA-MRSA) is associated with infections in patients who have not been recently hospitalized. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of MRSA colonization in an outpatient population, currently unknown in Brazil. Three-hundred patients or caregivers from two teaching hospitals were included. A questionnaire was applied and nasal swabs were obtained from patients. Swabs were inoculated in brain heart infusion (BHI) with 2.5% NaCl and seeded in mannitol. Suspicious colonies were subjected to MALDI-TOF MS Microflex™ identification. Antimicrobial susceptibility test for oxacillin was performed for SA-positive samples by microdilution. Polymerase chain-reactions for detection of mecA and coA genes were performed for resistant samples. Data about MRSA carriers were compared with non-carriers. There were 127 S. aureus isolates, confirmed by MALDI-TOF. Only seven (2.3%) were MRSA and positive for mecA and coA genes. Factors associated with MRSA carriage were African ethnicity, skin diseases or antibiotic use. The majority of them were from Dermatology clinics. Prevalence of MRSA colonization in individuals from the community was low in our study (2.3%). This finding raises the hypothesis of inter-household transmission of SA, although we did not find any association between MRSA-colonization and the shared use of personal objects. Given the low prevalence of MRSA carriers observed, empirical antimicrobial coverage for MRSA in community-acquired infections should be not necessary

Prevalência e fatores de risco da infecção por Leptospira sp. em cães atendidos em clínicas veterinárias em João Pessoa, Paraíba, Nordeste do Brasil

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with Leptospira sp. in dogs attended at veterinary clinics in the city of João Pessoa, State of Paraíba, Northeast Brazil.  A total of 384 blood samples from dogs from 34 veterinary clinics were used from April 2015 to May 2016. The diagnosis of Leptospira sp. was carried out through Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT), using a collection of 20 pathogenic antigens and adopting a 1: 100 dilution as cutoff point. An epidemiological questionnaire was applied to the owners of the animals to obtain data to be used in the analysis of risk factors. The prevalence of seropositive animals was 11.7% (45/384), with reactions for serogroups Icterohaemorrhagiae (62.3%), Grippotyphosa (22.2%), Canicola (13.3%), Djasiman 2%) and Pomona (2.2%). The following risk factors were identified: age from 49 to 72 months (odds ratio = 2.74), Age > 72 months (odds ratio = 3.22), and monthly cleaning of the environment where the animals are kept (odds ratio = 10,70). It is concluded that dogs attended at veterinary clinics in João Pessoa are exposed to infection by Leptospira sp., with predominance of serogroups kept by wild animals, and it is suggested that the periodic cleaning of the environment where the animals are kept.  O presente trabalho investigou a prevalência e os fatores de risco associados à infecção por Leptospira sp. em cães atendidos em clínicas veterinárias da cidade de João Pessoa, Estado da Paraíba, Nordeste do Brasil. Foram utilizadas 384 amostras sanguíneas de cães provenientes de 34 clínicas veterinárias no período de abril de 2015 a maio de 2016. O diagnóstico da infecção por Leptospira sp. foi realizado com o emprego reação de Soroaglutinação Microscópica (SAM), utilizando uma coleção com 20 antígenos patogênicos e adotando como ponto de corte a diluição 1:100. Foi aplicado um questionário epidemiológico aos proprietários dos animais para obtenção de dados a serem utilizados na análise de fatores de risco. A prevalência de animais soropositivos foi de 11,7% (45/384), com reações para os sorogrupos Icterohaemorrhagiae (62,3%), Grippotyphosa (22,2%), Canicola (13,3%), Djasiman (2,2%) e Pomona (2,2%). Foram identificados os seguintes fatores de risco: idade entre 49 e 72 meses (odds ratio = 2,74), idade maior que 72 meses (odds ratio = 3,22), e limpeza mensal do ambiente onde os animais permanecem (odds ratio = 10,70). Conclui-se que cães atendidos em clínicas veterinárias de João Pessoa estão expostos à infecção por Leptospira sp., com predominância de sorogrupos mantidos por animais selvagens, e foi sugerida a realização da limpeza periódica do ambiente ocupado pelos animais

Perfil fermentativo, composição química e estabilidade aeróbia de silagens de brotos de mandioca com palma forrageira

Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito de níveis de palma forrageira (0, 15, 30 e 45%) em silagens de brotos de mandioca sobre o perfil fermentativo, composição química e estabilidade aeróbica. Quatro tratamentos foram testados com 5 repetições, totalizando 20 silos. A inclusão de palma forrageira nas silagens de broto de mandioca promoveu aumento nas perdas por gases (P < 0,001), capacidade tampão (P < 0,001), pH (P = 0,033), matéria mineral (P < 0,001), carboidratos totais (P < 0,001), carboidratos não fibrosos (P < 0,001) e diminuição nos teores de matéria seca (P < 0,001), matéria orgânica (P < 0,001), extrato etéreo (P = 0,002) e proteína bruta (P < 0,001). Efeito quadrático foi observado para perdas por efluentes (P < 0,001), sendo as maiores perdas por efluentes (94.78 kg/t natural matter) obtidas com a inclusão de 30% de palma forrageira nas silagens de brotos de mandioca. A inclusão de palma forrageira na silagem de brotos de mandioca promoveu redução do pH durante a exposição ao oxigênio (P = 0,008). A inclusão de palma forrageira em até 45% na silagem de brotos de mandioca provoca alterações nas características fermentativas e nutricionais, porém, os valores encontrados nas silagens estão de acordo com os padrões de silagens de boa qualidade.The aim was to evaluate the effect of the cactus pear levels (0, 15, 30, and 45%) in cassava shoot silages on the fermentation profile, chemical composition, and aerobic stability. Four treatments were tested with five repetitions, totaling 20 silos. The inclusion of cactus pear in cassava shoots silages promoted an increase in gas losses (P < 0.001), buffering capacity (P < 0.001), pH (P = 0.033), mineral matter (P < 0.001), total carbohydrates (P < 0.001), non-fiber carbohydrates (P < 0.001) and a decreasing in dry matter (P < 0.001), organic matter (P < 0.001), ether extract (P = 0.002), and crude protein (P < 0.001) content. A quadratic effect was observed for effluent losses (P < 0.001), with greater effluent losses (94.78 kg/t natural matter) obtained with the inclusion of 30% cactus pear in cassava shoots silages. Cactus pear inclusion in cassava shoots silage promoted a reduction in the pH during oxygen exposure (P = 0.008). Including cactus pear in up to 45% of cassava silage, shoots cause changes in the fermentation and nutritional characteristics. However, values found in the silages are by good quality standards

Comorbid depression and anxiety effects on pregnancy and neonatal outcome

The effects of comorbid depression and anxiety were compared to the effects of depression alone and anxiety alone on pregnancy mood states and biochemistry and on neonatal outcomes in a large multi-ethnic sample. At the prenatal period the comorbid and depressed groups had higher scores than the other groups on the depression measure. But, the comorbid group had higher anxiety, anger and daily hassles scores than the other groups, and they had lower dopamine levels. As compared to the non-depressed group, they also reported more sleep disturbances and relationship problems. The comorbid group also experienced a greater incidence of prematurity than the depressed, the high anxiety and the non-depressed groups. Although the comorbid and anxiety groups were lower birthweight than the non-depressed and depressed groups, the comorbid group did not differ from the depressed and anxiety groups on birth length. The neonates of the comorbid and depressed groups had higher cortisol and norepinephrine and lower dopamine and serotonin levels than the neonates of the anxiety and non-depressed groups as well as greater relative right frontal EEG. These data suggest that for some measures comorbidity of depression and anxiety is the worst condition (e.g., incidence of prematurity), while for others, comorbidity is no more impactful than depression alone.This research was supported by a Merit Award (MH #46586), an NIH grant (AT #00370) and Senior Research Scientist Awards (MH #0033 1 and AT #001585) and a March of Dimes Grant (#12-FYO3-48) to Tiffany Field and funding from Johnson and Johnson Pediatric Institute to the Touch Research Institute

Geo-Epidemiological Study of Leptospira spp. Infection in Cattle, Feral Cats and Rodents of the Fernando de Noronha Island, Brazil

Background: Leptospirosis is a re-emergent contagious infectious disease, caused by pathogenic leptospires that are transmitted by the urine of infected animals or bacteria-contaminated water and mud. In tropical and subtropical countries it presents high prevalence due to the temperature and humidity conditions that favor the maintenance of the agent in the environment. This disease can affect several species, in Brazilian cattle is an endemic disease, and studies have shown a high occurrence of Leptospira spp. infection in beef and dairy herds. Domestic cats as well as other species of the Family Felidae seem to be resistant to leptospirosis. However, it has been demonstrated under experimental conditions that cats may become infected by ingestion of infected rodents and contaminated water. The present study investigated the occurrence of Leptospira spp. infection in cattle, feral cats and rodents of the Fernando de Noronha Island.Materials, Methods & Results: Fernando de Noronha Island is located 360 km far from Recife and Natal, capitals of the states of Pernambuco and Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, respectively. It has an area of approximately 18.4 km2 and constitutes the submerged part of a volcanic edifice currently inactive, which base rests 4,000 m deep in the Atlantic Ocean. Blood samples were collected from all the cattle raised in the Island (n = 88), 200 feral cats and 150 rodents, and the sera were screened by MAT (Serogroups: Australis; Autumnalis; Ballum; Bataviae; Canicola; Cynopteri; Djasiman; Grippotyphosa; Hebdomadis; Icterohaemorrhagiae; Icterohaemorrhagiae; Panama; Pomona; Pyrogenes; Sejroe e Tarassovi) for detection of anti-Leptospira spp. antibodies. Initially all sera were screened at 1:100 dilution and those with 50% or more agglutination were titrated at two-fold geometric dilutions. The serum titer was defined as the reciprocal of the highest positive dilution. The plane coordinates obtained by Global Position System (GPS) were used for developing a spatial map of the Fernando de Noronha Island. The geo-referenced data were plotted in the ArcGIS 10.1 software. Approximately 22% (20/88) and 12% (19/150) of the cattle and rodents were serologically reactive against Leptospira spp. antigens, respectively. The antibody titers of cattle ranged from 100 to 800 as shown. All the rodents screened were reactive against only one serovar and their antibody titers ranged from 100 to 3200. None of the serum samples from cats was reactive against the serovars tested. The serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae predominated among the seropositive cattle, being found in 100% of the reactive samples. In rodents, the serogroups Icterohaemorrhagiae, Djasiman and Australis were responsible for 73.7% (14/19), 21.0% (4/19) and 5.2% (1/19) of the infections, respectively.Discussion: We believe that rodents and cattle play an important role in the dissemination of this disease, thus, it is necessary adopting prophylactic measures aimed at leptospirosis in the study area, in view of the human cases of leptospirosis reported and confirmed in the Island. These results are unprecedented in an insular environment in Brazil. Strategies aimed at better sanitary management of the cattle herds as well as population control of rodents must be implemented in the Fernando de Noronha Island to secure a more sustainable animal production and minimize the risks to public health

Changes in soil profile hydraulic properties and porosity as affected by deep tillage soil preparation and Brachiaria grass intercropping in a recent coffee plantation on a naturally dense Inceptisol

Soil management operations change soil porosity, affecting water infiltration, redistribution, storage, availability, and uptake by plants. Assessing how soil management may affect pore size distribution and hydraulic conductivity is thus highly relevant for rainfed agriculture coping with water shortage. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of tillage treatments, designed to deepen coffee plants root system, on improving structure and physical-hydric attributes of an Inceptisol with a shallow solum. The study was conducted in an experimental area in the municipality of Nazareno, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Soil samples were collected 18 months after coffee plantation, at different depths (0, 0.25, 0.35, 0.45, 0.55, 0.66, and 0.75 m) and they were used to determine pore-size distribution, saturated and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity. Samples were also collected in surface crusts or in the 0−0.005 m soil layer for detailed grain size analysis. Field water infiltration was measured at different water tensions. Coffee seedlings were planted in rows furrowed to depths depending on tillage treatment: 0.4 m depth, made by a furrow ridger (FP40); 0.6 m depth, made by a subsoiler coupled to a soil preparer mixing the soil to a depth of 0.6 m (FP60); 0.8 m depth, made by a subsoiler and, after mixing the soil to a depth of 0.6 m, by the soil preparer (FP80). The soil between the planting rows was covered by Brachiaria-grass. Soil sampling and field tests were performed in the coffee plants row mechanically treated, in the Brachiaria-grassed inter-row (IR) lane and in a nearby area under natural vegetation (NC). Treatments effects, either mechanical in the coffee rows (FP40, FP 60 and FP80), or biological in the inter-row lane (IR) were compared to reference (NC), representing soil conditions prior to coffee plantation. The FP60 and FP80 treatments improved water infiltration, storage and hydraulic conductivity in the planting rows to a depth of 0.5 m. A more favorable pore size distribution was obtained following these treatments, which improved the soil physical environment. Conversely, furrowing promoted compaction at each implement working depth due to the pressure applied by the rods in the subsurface soil layers, combined with subsoil moisture condition at the time of operations. Root activity of intercropped Brachiaria-grass (IR) improved soil structure, expressed by a favorable pore-size distribution and a faster hydraulic conductivity in the inter-row lane. Similar effects were obtained with FP 60 and FP80 for the coffee rows, where deep furrowing during soil preparation reduced the natural density of the Inceptisol. Therefore, the management strategies tested allowed root deepening and access to soil moisture stored in deeper layers.To Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) for granting the scholarship and to the funding agencies Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES), Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG), CNPq, and Consórcio Brasileiro de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento do Café - (CBP&D/Café) of Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária - Unidade Café (Embrapa Café). To Universidade Federal de Lavras (UFLA) and Departamento de Ciência do Solo (DCS) for the provided support. To Frade farm for allowing and aiding in the installation of the experiment and to IF Goiano for support of our research.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Spent mushroom substrate Agaricus bisporus in the production of pepper seedlings

Mushroom cultivation generates a large volume of SMS (spent mushroom substrate), which needs to be properly discarded to avoid contamination of new production cycles. However, SMS is a rich substrate, and can be used to produce vegetable seedlings. The present study evaluated the feasibility of using SMS of Agaricus bisporus as substrate for production of sweet pepper seedlings. The culture substrate was composed of sugar cane bagasse, horse manure, rice straw, soybean meal, chicken bed, urea, potassium chloride, simple superphosphate and gypsum. After cultivation, the SMS was homogenized, wet and composted. The substrate thus processed is the SMS of A. bisporus. The substrate Carolina II® was used as control. The following treatments were evaluated: T1- 100% Carolina II; T2 - 25% SMS + 75% Carolina II; T3-50% SMS + 50% Carolina II; T4- 75% SMS + 25% Carolina II and T5- 100% SMS). Seedling and germination characteristics were evaluated. The best germination parameters were observed with the treatment containing 50% of SMS, compared to the commercial substrate. However, for the quality parameters of the seedlings, the best results were obtained with 100% SMS treatment. Therefore, the use of different SMS percentages for the production of pepper seedlings is an alternative to reduce the production cost. The treatment with 100% SMS presented the best DQI values, as it produced vigorous and better quality pepper seedlings

Spatial distribution of equine seroreagent to Leptospira spp. in Northeastern Brazil

Considering the importance of leptospirosis in both equine husbandry and public health, as well as the relevance of knowledge of current serogroup and the small number of studies addressing this disease in equines in Northeastern Brazil, the present study performed a serological survey of Leptospira spp. in a serum bank of 1,267 equines originating from 177 municipalities, located in four states in Northeastern Brazil: Ceará, Rio Grande do Norte, Paraíba and Pernambuco. The microscopic agglutination test (MAT) was used for diagnosis of leptospirosis using 24 serovars as antigens. The frequency of reagent equines was 29.7% (376/1,267), and 68.9% (122/177) of municipalities had at least one positive reaction. The serogroups reagent were Australis (37.2%), Icterohaemorrhagiae (29.3%), Tarassovi (9.6%), Sejroe (5.8%), Pomona (5.3%), Grippotyphosa (4.5%), Pyrogenes (2.4%), Bataviae (1.9%), Ballum and Hebdomadis (1.3%), Mini (0.5%), Celledoni, Shermani, and Javanica (0.3% each). There were significant statistical differences regarding sex and age, with a higher frequency in females (P= 0.014), and in animals ≥ 6 years (P=0.001). We concluded that seropositivity to Leptospira spp. is high in equines in Northeastern Brazil, with a predominance of serologic reactions to the Australis serogroup in the border areas between the states, and the Icterohaemorrhagiae serogroup in coastal areas or their vicinity. The high degree of seropositivity found points to the need to implement prophylactic strategies, both intraspecies infection prophylaxis and rodent control. We also recommended avoiding animal crowding and separating animals according to sex and age group during handling.Considerando a importância da leptospirose na equinocultura e na saúde pública, bem como a relevância do conhecimento dos sorogrupos circulantes e do pequeno número de estudos realizados sobre esta doença em equinos no Nordeste do Brasil, o presente trabalho foi delineado para realizar um inquérito sorológico de Leptospira spp. em um banco de soros de 1.267 equinos provenientes de 177 municípios distribuídos em quatro estados: Piaui, Ceará, Paraíba e Pernambuco, localizados na região Nordeste do Brasil. Os soros foram examinados com o teste de Soroaglutinação Microscópica (SAM), utilizando uma coleção de 24 sorovares como antígenos. A frequência de equinos reagentes foi de 29,7% (376 / 1.267) e 68,9% (122/177) dos municípios que tiveram pelo menos uma reação positiva. Os sorogrupos reagentes foram Australis (37,2%), Icterohaemorrhagiae (29,3%), Tarassovi (9,6%), Sejroe (5,8%), Pomona (5,3%), Grippotyphosa (4,5%), Pyrogenes (2,4%), Bataviae (1,9%), Ballum e Hebdomadis (1,3%), Mini (0,5%), Celledoni, Shermani e Javanica (0,3%). Houve diferenças estatisticamente significantes quanto ao sexo e idade, com maior frequência no sexo feminino (P = 0,014) e no animal com idade ≥ 6 anos (P = 0,001). Conclui-se que a infecção por Leptospira spp. tem ocorrência significativa em equídeos do Nordeste do Brasil, com predominância de reações para o sorogrupo Australis nas áreas de fronteira entre os estados e para sorogrupo Icterohaemorrhagiae nas áreas litorâneas ou em suas proximidades. O alto grau de soropositividade encontrado aponta para a necessidade da implementação de estratégias profiláticas tanto intraespécies quanto relacionadas ao controle de roedores. Também recomenda-se evitar superlotações de animais em piquetes e manejá-los em grupos de acordo com o sexo e a faixa etária

Utilização de tecnologias por enfermeiros no gerenciamento da Atenção Primária à Saúde

RESUMOObjetivo: Analisar as ações de gerenciamento de enfermeiros em serviços de Atenção Primária à Saúde na perspectiva das tecnologias.Método: Estudo descritivo-exploratório com abordagem quantitativa, realizado de fevereiro a abril de 2019. Através da snowball technique, a amostra foi composta por 42 enfermeiros da Atenção Primária à Saúde, utilizando-se ferramenta eletrônica para coleta de dados. Os dados foram analisados por meio de técnicas de estatística descritiva.Resultados: 54,8% dos enfermeiros utilizam tecnologias através de sistemas eletrônicos SISREG e PEC, da qualificação do cuidado relacionada a educação permanente em saúde, de cursos online e presenciais, além do uso de tecnologias do cuidado como o telessaúde e a telemedicina.Conclusão: As ações de gerenciamento voltadas a tecnologia apresentaram utilização tímida. Os enfermeiros necessitam empoderar-se destes dispositivos organizacionais, tendo em vista o aprimoramento da assistência e qualidade do cuidado ao usuário.Palavras-chave: Enfermagem. Atenção primária à saúde. Gestão em saúde. Tecnologia biomédica

EFEITO DA DROSPIRENONA COMO TERAPIA HORMONAL DE BAIXA DOSE NOS NÍVEIS PRESSÓRICOS DE MULHERES CLIMATÉRICAS HIPERTENSAS / EFFECT OF DROSPIRENONE AS LOW DOSE HORMONE THERAPY IN PRESSURE LEVELS IN CLIMACTERIC WOMEN WITH HYPERTENSION

Introdução: A drospirenona é um derivado progestínico com propriedades antagonistas da aldosterona, cujo efeito antihipertensivo foi demonstrado em estudos clínicos. Em associação com o estradiol, a drospirenona é utilizada como uma opção de terapia hormonal de baixa dose para alívio da sintomatologia climatérica. Objetivo: Analisar os efeitos da drospirenona na pressão arterial (PA) e marcadores de doença cardiovascular em mulheres climatéricas hipertensas. Métodos: Ensaio clínico com 30 mulheres climatéricas, entre 40 e 60 anos, hipertensas grau I, com sinais clínicos de climatério. As pacientes foram divididas igualmente em dois grupos: Grupo I - tratadas com 1mg de estradiol e 2mg de drospirenona; Grupo II - sem terapia hormonal. No início do estudo e após três meses de seguimento foram dosados homocisteína e proteína c-reativa (PCR) ultrassensível, além da Monitorização Ambulatorial da Pressão Arterial, para análise dos efeitos da Terapia Hormonal de Reposição. Utilizou-se a Análise da Covariância sendo atribuído nível de significância