Prevalence of hepatitis B and C virus infections among military personnel

Background: Data regarding Hepatitis B and C viruses (HBV and HCV) prevalence among military personnel in Brazil are lacking, but the work-related risk of exposure can be high. The objective of this study was to estimate the seroprevalence of HBV and HCV and the risk factors associated to HBV exposure among Brazilian military personnel.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted and included 433 male military adults aged 18-25 years old working in Rio de Janeiro during October 2013. All individuals completed a questionnaire to assess their risk of exposure and provided a blood sample to HBV and HCV testing.Results: None of the participants presented HBsAg or anti-HBc IgM, 18 (4.1%) were positive for total anti-HBc, 247 (57.0%) were positive for anti-HBs, and 3 (0.7%) were anti-HCV reactive. The majority of military personnel with past HBV infection (anti-HBc reactive) and HBV immunity (anti-HBs reactive) had a history of prior dental procedures (88.9% and 77.3%), consumption of alcohol at least once a week (50% and 55.9%), and practiced oral sex (61.1% and 58.3%, respectively). In addition, anti-HBc positivity was common among individuals with a history of surgery (44.4%) and practice of anal sex (50%). At univariate analysis, age group was associated to anti-HBc and anti-HBs positivity.Conclusions: Low rates of HBV and HCV infection were observed among Brazilian military personnel in comparison to the general Brazilian population. HBV immunity rates were relatively low indicating the need for vaccination campaigns in this group

Freqüência de anticorpo anti-Toxocara canis em comunidade do Rio Uatumã, no Estado do Amazonas Frequency of the antibody anti-Toxocara canis in a community along the Uatumã river, State of Amazonas

Um estudo seccional foi realizado nas Vilas Waimiri e Atroari em Balbina, entre julho e outubro de 2006, com o objetivo de estimar a freqüência de anticorpo antiToxocara canis da classe IgG e avaliar as variáveis epidemiológicas e socioculturais. Foram estudadas 34 famílias e incluídos 100 indivíduos, o que correspondeu a 5% (100/2.000) da população das vilas. A idade variou de zero a 76 anos (M=22,9 Dp=18). Quanto ao gênero, 53% eram femininos e 47% masculino; 52% das amostras foram positivas para Toxocara canis, 44,5% negativas e 3,2% inconclusivas. Observou-se menor número de indivíduos com sorologia negativa na Vila Atroari 29,5% (13/44) em comparação com a Waimiri 46,4% (26/56). Com relação ao contato com cães, dos 55 indivíduos com contato domiciliar 60% (33/55) foram positivos para anticorpo antiToxocara canis Apresentaram sorologia positiva 66,6% (10/15) dos indivíduos que tinham contato domiciliar com filhotes de cão (chi²22,149 p=0,008). A existência de contato domiciliar com cães e filhotes mostrou associação com a presença de anticorpo anti-Toxocara canis na população estudada.<br>A cross-sectional study was carried out in the Waimiri and Atroari settlements in Balbina, between July and October 2006, with the aims of estimating the frequency of the antibody anti-Toxocara canis of the IgG class and studying the epidemiological and sociocultural variables. Thirty-four families were studied and 100 individuals were included, corresponding to 5% (100/2000) of the population of the settlements. The age range was 0-76 years (mean = 22.9; standard deviation = 18). The gender distribution was 53% female and 47% male. The samples were 52% positive for Toxocara canis, 44.5% negative and 3.2% inconclusive. The number of individuals who tested serologically negative in Atroari (29.5%; 13/44) was lower than in Waimiri (46.4%; 26/56). In relation to contact with dogs, among the 55 individuals with contact in their homes, 60% (33/55) were positive for Ac anti-Toxocara canis and 40% (22/55) were negative (chi2= 14.317; p = 0.026). Among the individuals who had contact in their homes with puppies, 66.6% (10/15) were serologically positive (chi2= 22.149; p=0.008). The existence of home contact with dogs and puppies showed an association with the presence of Ac anti-Toxocara canis in the study population

High circulating autoantibodies against human oxidized low-density lipoprotein are related to stable and lower titers to unstable clinical situation

Background: Oxidized lipoproteins and antibodies anti-oxidized low-density lipoprotein (anti-oxLDL) have been detected in human plasma and in atherosclerotic lesions. However, the role of these autoantibodies in the maintenance of vascular health or in the pathogenesis of acute vascular insults remains unclear. We examined the relationship of human immunoglobulin G (IgG) anti-oxLDL antibodies with cardiovascular disease risk markers in stable subjects and in patients after an acute coronary syndrome (ACS).Methods: Titers of human anti-oxLDL antibodies were measured in hypertensive subjects in primary prevention (n = 94), without other risk factors, and in individuals after a recent ACS event who also had metabolic syndrome (n = 116). Autoantibodies against copper ion oxidized LDL were measured by enzyme-linked-immunosorbent assay.Results: Anti-oxLDL titers were higher in hypertensive patients and these subjects presented lower high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) than those with ACS (p < 0.0001). We found significant correlations between anti-oxLDL and hs-CRP (r = -0.284), body mass index (r = -0.256), waist circumference (r = -0.368), apolipoprotein B (r = -0.191), glucose (r = -0.303), systolic blood pressure (r = 0.319), diastolic blood pressure (r = 0.167), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (r = 0.224) and apolipoprotein A1 (r = 0.257) (p < 0.02 for all). After multiple linear regression hs-CRP, fasting glucose and waist circumference remained independently and inversely associated with anti-oxLDL.Conclusions: Acute inflammatory and metabolic conditions decrease titers of human antibodies of IgG class against oxidized LDL, and that circulating anti-oxLDL antibodies could be associated with a protective role in atherosclerosis. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Millennium Institute of Complex FluidsConselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Med, Div Cardiol, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Inst Biomed Sci, Dept Immunol, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Inst Phys, Complex Fluids Lab, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Med, Div Cardiol, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Inst Biomed Sci, Dept Immunol, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Inst Phys, Complex Fluids Lab, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Reproductive ecology of the exotic tree Muntingia calabura L. (Muntingiaceae) in southeastern Brazil Ecologia reprodutiva da árvore exótica Muntingia calabura L. (Muntingiaceae) no sudeste do Brasil

The exotic tree Muntingia calabura L. (Muntingiaceae), a species native to Central America, is used as fish feed and fiber and cellulose production in Brazil. This study was carried out in urban areas and verified the reproductive biology of this plant species. Flower and fruit morphology, compatibility system, reproductive phenology, pollination and frugivore animals, and germination of disseminated seeds were recorded by standard field and laboratory procedures. This tree is self-compatible and autonomously self-pollinated, with its flowers being mainly visited by bees and its fruits consumed by birds and bats. Germination of its dispersed seeds is fast and occurs at a high rate. The results of this work suggest that M. calabura is very adaptable to cultivated areas,thus being an excellent choice for urban reforestation. However, its reproductive characteristics place this plant as an invasive species with significant potential in southeastern Brazil.<br>A árvore exótica Muntingia calabura L. (Muntingiaceae) é nativa da América Central e, no Brasil, ela é utilizada para alimentação de peixes e para produção de fibras e celulose. Este estudo, realizado em áreas urbanas, verificou a biologia reprodutiva dessa espécie vegetal. A morfologia de flores e frutos, o sistema de compatibilidade, a fenologia reprodutiva, os animais polinizadores e frugívoros e a germinação das sementes foram estudados através de procedimentos-padrão de campo e laboratório. A árvore é autocompatível e apresenta autopolinização espontânea, com suas flores visitadas por abelhas e frutos consumidos por aves e morcegos. A germinação das sementes é rápida e com elevada taxa. A conclusão é que M. calabura é uma espécie vegetal altamente adaptada à reprodução sob condições de cultivo, sendo uma excelente opção para inclusão em projetos de reflorestamento urbano. Apesar disso, as características reprodutivas colocam essa espécie como importante e potencial planta invasiva no Sudeste brasileiro

Antiulcerogenic Activity of the Hydroalcoholic Extract of Leaves of Croton campestris

Croton campestris A. St.-Hill., popularly known as “velame do campo,” is a species native to the savannah area of Northeast Brazil, which is used by traditional communities in folk medicine for variety of health problems, especially detoxification, inflammation, and gastritis. The hydroalcoholic extract of C. campestris leaves (HELCC) was assessed for its antiulcerogenic effect in gastric lesion models and effect on intestinal motility in mice, and possible mechanisms of action were examined. HELCC showed significant gastroprotective action in all models of gastric ulcer evaluated; the results suggest that this action probably involves the nitric oxide pathway. HELCC did not show alteration of intestinal motility in mice. It was also found that C. campestris represents a promising natural source with important biological potential, justifying some of its uses in folk medicine

Atividades relacionadas à construção e aprovisionamento de ninhos de Xylocopa subcyanea (Hymenoptera, Apidae) em uma área de restinga na Bahia, Brasil Activities related to construction and provioning of nests of Xylocopa subcyanea (Hymenoptera, Apidae) in an area of sandbank in Bahia, Brazil

As abelhas do gênero Xylocopa Latreille, 1802 são comuns em ecossistemas de restingas em acelerada fase de degradação e são importantes polinizadores deste ecossistema. Elas nidificam especialmente em madeira morta ou apodrecida. As atividades relacionadas à construção e estrutura dos ninhos de Xylocopa (Schoenherria) subcyanea Perez, 1901 na restinga do litoral norte da Bahia, Brasil, foram observadas em 43 ninhos ativos de X. subcyanea, em diferentes fases de desenvolvimento, em dois troncos apodrecidos. A fase de fundação ou reuso no primeiro tronco foi em agosto e a fase de provisionamento das células nos ninhos, em ambos troncos, em janeiro. As principais atividades foram escavações no tronco, entrada e saída dos ninhos, permanência na entrada do ninho, entrada com pólen e desidratação de néctar. Foi observado horário preferencial ao longo do dia para as atividades de entrada e saída dos ninhos, sendo estas influenciadas pelos horários do nascer e pôr do sol. Ninhos abandonados foram reusados por X. subcyanea e Centris tarsata SMITH, 1874. Os ninhos ativos eram ocupados por quatro diferentes abelhas adultas. Geralmente, uma abelha ficava na entrada do ninho. A estrutura do ninho foi descrita.<br>Bees of the genus Xylocopa Latreille, 1802 are frequent in sandbank ecosystems under accelerated degradation. They nest especially in dead or rotted wood. The nest construction and nest structure of Xylocopa (Schoenherria) subcyanea Perez, 1901 were studied in a sandbank from Bahia's north littoral, Brazil. We observed 43 active nests, under different stages of development, in two dead logs. The main activities were excavation of the logs, entering and leaving nest, permanence in the nest entrance, entering with pollen, and nectar dehydration. Preferential times along the day were observed for entering and leaving nest, showing influence of sunrise and sunset times. Abandoned nests were reused by X. subcyanea and Centris tarsata Smith, 1874. Active nests were occupied by four different adult bees. An individual frequently stayed at nest entrance, adopting a defensive behavior. The nest structure was described