Measles-containing vaccines in Brazil: Coverage, homogeneity of coverage and associations with contextual factors at municipal level

We aimed to (i) describe both the coverage and the homogeneity of coverage of the first and second doses of measles-containing vaccines (MCV) in Brazil in 2017, and (ii) to investigate the potential influence of contextual factors at municipal level. All 5570 Brazilian municipalities were included. The North and Center-West regions presented the lowest coverages of the first and second doses of MCV, respectively. We found significant associations of both first and second doses of MCV with population size, coverage of Family Health Strategy (FHS) and other indicators of living conditions and inequalities. Monitoring the homogeneity of MCV coverage at national, regional and state levels is essential, as it allows identifying areas at higher risk of measles spread that should be targeted for vaccination. Targeting large cities i.e. 100,000 or more inhabitants, especially poor neighborhoods and areas with low FHS coverage, could lead to improvements in coverage homogeneity

Are elevated plasma fibrinogen associated with lung function? An 8-year follow-up of the ELSA study

BACKGROUND: Fibrinogen is an important biomarker of inflammation, but findings from longitudinal studies that correlated fibrinogen with lung function in older adults are inconsistent. AIM: To investigate the relationship between fibrinogen plasma levels and lung function impairment later in life. METHODS: Longitudinal analysis of 2,150 participants of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) aged 50 years and older. Associations between changes in plasma fibrinogen between waves 2 (2004-05) and 4 (2008-09) and lung function in wave 6 (2012-13) were performed using multiple linear regression adjusted by potential confounders. RESULTS: Regarding the fibrinogen profile, 18.5% of the participants presented higher levels in both waves. In the adjusted models, the maintenance of high fibrinogen levels was associated with a significant reduction of lung function only for men. FEV1 showed a reduction of 0.17L, FVC of 0.22L, and the percentages predicted were 5.16% for FEV1 and 6.21% for FVC compared to those that maintained normal levels of fibrinogen. DISCUSSION: To the best of our knowledge, this was the first study investigating the relationship between changes in fibrinogen levels over a long follow-up period and lung function in older adults without pre-existing chronic diseases. ELSA has information on critical demographic and clinical parameters, which allowed to adjust for potential confounding factors. CONCLUSION: It was found that the persistence of high levels of plasma fibrinogen in older English men, but not women, is associated with lung function decline. Therefore, plasma fibrinogen showed to be an important biomarker of pulmonary dysfunction in this population

Characterisation of pulmonary function trajectories: results from a Brazilian cohort.

Background: Pulmonary function (PF) trajectories are determined by different exposures throughout the life course. The aim of this study was to investigate characteristics related to PF trajectories from 15 to 22 years in a Brazilian cohort. Methods: A birth cohort study (1993 Pelotas Birth Cohort) was conducted with spirometry at 15, 18 and 22 years. PF trajectories were built based on z-score of forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC) and their ratio using a group-based trajectory model. Associations with exposures reported from perinatal to 22 years were described. Results: Three trajectories, low (LT), average (AT) and high (HT) were identified in 2917 individuals. Wealthiest individuals belonged to the HT of FEV1 (p=0.023). Lower maternal pregestational body mass index (BMI) (22.4±0.2; p<0.001 and 22.1±0.14; p<0.001) and lower birth weight (3164.8±25.4; p=0.029 and 3132.3±19.4; p=0.005) were related to the LT of FEV1 and FVC. Mother's smoking exposure during pregnancy (37.7%; p=0.002), active smoking at ages 18 and 22 years (20.1% and 25.8%; p<0.001) and family history of asthma (44.8%; p<0.001) were related to the LT of FEV1/FVC. Wheezing, asthma and hospitalisations due to respiratory diseases in childhood were related to the LT of both FEV1 and FEV1/FVC. Higher BMIs were related to the HT of FEV1 and FVC at all ages. Conclusions: PF trajectories were mainly related to income, pregestational BMI, birth weight, hospitalisation due to respiratory diseases in childhood, participant's BMI, report of wheezing, medical diagnosis and family history of asthma, gestational exposure to tobacco and current smoking status in adolescence and young adult age

Use of the checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization technique for bacteria detection in Aedes aegypti (Diptera:Culicidae) (L.)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Bacteria associated with insects can have a substantial impact on the biology and life cycle of their host. The checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization technique is a semi-quantitative technique that has been previously employed in odontology to detect and quantify a variety of bacterial species in dental samples. Here we tested the applicability of the checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization technique to detect the presence of <it>Aedes aegypti</it>-associated bacterial species in larvae, pupae and adults of <it>A. aegypti</it>.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>Using the checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization technique we could detect and estimate the number of four bacterial species in total DNA samples extracted from <it>A. aegypti </it>single whole individuals and midguts. <it>A. aegypti </it>associated bacterial species were also detected in the midgut of four other insect species, <it>Lutzomyia longipalpis, Drosophila melanogaster</it>, <it>Bradysia hygida </it>and <it>Apis mellifera</it>.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our results demonstrate that the checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization technique can be employed to study the microbiota composition of mosquitoes. The method has the sensitivity to detect bacteria in single individuals, as well as in a single organ, and therefore can be employed to evaluate the differences in bacterial counts amongst individuals in a given mosquito population. We suggest that the checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization technique is a straightforward technique that can be widely used for the characterization of the microbiota in mosquito populations.</p

Brazilian Plasmodium falciparum isolates: investigation of candidate polymorphisms for artemisinin resistance before introduction of artemisinin-based combination therapy

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>This study was performed to better understand the genetic diversity of known polymorphisms in <it>pfatpase6 </it>and <it>pfmdr1 </it>genes before the introduction of ACT in Brazil, in order to get a genotypic snapshot of <it>Plasmodium falciparum </it>parasites that may be used as baseline reference for future studies.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Parasites from <it>P. falciparum </it>samples collected in 2002, 2004 and 2006-2007 were genotyped using PCR and DNA sequencing at codons 86, 130, 184, 1034, 1042, 1109 and 1246 for <it>pfmdr1 </it>gene, and 243, 263, 402, 431, 623, 630, 639, 683, 716, 776, 769 and 771 for <it>pfatpase6 </it>gene.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A <it>pfmdr1 </it>haplotype NEF/CDVY was found in 97% of the samples. In the case of <it>pfatpase6</it>, four haplotypes, wild-type (37%), 630 S (35%), 402 V (5%) and double-mutant 630 S + 402 V (23%), were detected.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Although some polymorphism in <it>pfmdr1 </it>and <it>pfatpase6 </it>were verified, no reported haplotypes in both genes that may mediate altered response to ACT was detected before the introduction of this therapy in Brazil. Thus, the haplotypes herein described can be very useful as a baseline reference of <it>P. falciparum </it>populations without ACT drug pressure.</p

Influence of the apical enlargement size on the endotoxin level reduction of dental root canals

Gram-negative bacteria play an essential role in endodontic infections because they have virulence factors such as endotoxin. Due to its potential cytotoxic activity, special attention has been given to the removal/neutralization of this endotoxin in the root canal system. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the apical enlargement size (AES) by using rotary instruments on the endotoxin level reduction of dental root canals. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty root canals of the mandibular premolar teeth were used. Escherichia coli endotoxin (055: B55) was inoculated into thirty root canals. Ten teeth served as the negative control group. After the incubation period, the first endotoxin samples were collected from the root canals with a sterile/apyrogenic paper point for the analysis of the endotoxin units (EU/mL) present before instrumentation (S1). Specimen instrumentation was performed with the Mtwo(®) rotary system in the sequence 10/.04, 15/.05, 20/.06, 25/.06, 30/.05, 35/.04 and 40/.04. To monitor the effectiveness of increasing apical enlargement on endotoxin removal, the second endotoxin samples were collected from all the root canals after instrumentation with the following instruments: #25/.06- (S2); #30/.05- (S3); # 35/.04- (S4); and #40/.04- (S5). Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) was used to quantify the levels of endotoxin. The results were statistically compared by using repeated measures of ANOVA with post hoc Tukey testing. RESULTS: Increasing levels of endotoxin removal was achieved by large sized apical enlargement: S2 (AES #25/.06)- 89.2%, S3 (AES #30/.05)- 95.9%, S4 (AES #35/.04)- 97.8% and S5 (AES #40/.04)- 98.2%. Substantial reduction of endotoxin content was obtained in S4 and S5 compared to S2 (p<0.05), however, the root canal preparation was not able to eliminate the endotoxin. CONCLUSIONS: Under the conditions of this study, it was concluded that the reduction of endotoxin levels of the dental root canals could be predicted by increasing the apical enlargement size

Identification of compatible and incompatible interactions between Arabidopsis thaliana and Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris and characterization of the hypersensitive response

Both compatible and incompatible interactions between Arabidopsis thaliana and Xanthomonas campestris have been identified and, for the first time, a strong hypersensitive response has been characterized. A highly reproducible mass spray inoculation protocol has been established and was used together with the more commonly used infiltration inoculation procedure to study the defense responses occurring in mature A. thaliana plants. A series of bacterial strains have been tested on A. thaliana ecotype Columbia (Col-O). X. c. pv. campestris was the most effective pathogen in these tests and was used for further detailed analysis. Several X. c. pv. campestris isolates were tested on A. thaliana Col-O, and one particular X. c. pv. campestris strain (147) was tested on 27 Arabidopsis ecotypes. Symptom development of compatible and incompatible interactions, including the hypersensitive response, was extensively characterized in A. thaliana Col-O. Lesion structure, bacterial distribution, accumulation of polyphenolic compounds, and the deposit of callose in inoculated leaves were documented by microscopic analysis. Activation of the defense-associated genes coding for phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), beta-1, 3-glucanases, chitinases, and peroxidases was evaluated by Northern blot analysis

The Noncommutative Harmonic Oscillator based in Simplectic Representation of Galilei Group

In this work we study symplectic unitary representations for the Galilei group. As a consequence the Schr\"odinger equation is derived in phase space. The formalism is based on the non-commutative structure of the star-product, and using the group theory approach as a guide a physical consistent theory in phase space is constructed. The state is described by a quasi-probability amplitude that is in association with the Wigner function. The 3D harmonic oscillator and the noncommutative oscillator are studied in phase space as an application, and the Wigner function associated to both cases are determined.Comment: 7 pages,no figure

Arterial hypertension and associated factors in patients submitted to myocardial revascularization

OBJECTIVE To identify the prevalence of arterial hypertension and associated factors in patients submitted to myocardial revascularization. METHOD Cross-sectional study using the database of a hospital in São Paulo (SP, Brazil) containing 3010 patients with coronary artery disease submitted to myocardial revascularization. A multiple logistic regression was performed to identify variables independently associated with hypertension (statistical significance: p1.3: (OR=1.37;CI:1.09-1.72). CONCLUSION A high prevalence of arterial hypertension and association with both non-modifiable and modifiable factors was observed

Six new cases confirm the clinical molecular profile of complete combined 17 alpha-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase deficiency in Brazil

In 2004, Costa-Santos and cols. reported 24 patients from 19 Brazilian families with 17 alpha-hydroxylase deficiency and showed that p.W406R and p.R362C corresponded to 50% and 32% of CYP17A1 mutant alleles, respectively. The present report describes clinical and molecular data of six patients from three inbred Brazilian families with 17 alpha-hydroxlyse deficiency. All patients had hypogonadism, amenorrhea and hypertension at diagnosis. Two sisters were found to be 46,XY with both gonads palpable in the inguinal region. All patients presented hypergonadotrophic hypogonadism, with high levels of ACTH (> 104 ng/mL), suppressed plasmatic renin activity, low levels of potassium ( 4.4 ng/mL). Three of them, including two sisters, were homozygous for p.W406R mutation and the other three (two sisters and one cousin) were homozygous for p.R362C. The finding of p.W406R and p.R362C in the CYP17A1 gene here reported in additional families, confirms them as the most frequent mutations causing complete combined 17 alpha-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase deficiency in Brazilian patients. Arq Bras Endocrinol Metab. 2010;54(8):711-6548SI71171