Distribution of hepatitis C virus genotypes among blood donors from mid-west region of Brazil

In order to investigate the hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes in mid-west region of Brazil, 250 anti-HCV positive blood donors were studied. Among them, the anti-HCV serological status was confirmed in 205 (82%). HCV RNA was detected in 165 samples, which were genotyped. HCV types 1, 2 and 3 were found in 67.9%, 3% and 29.1% of the donors, respectively. In Goiás state, subtype 1a (50%) was the most prevalent, followed by subtypes 3a (30.9%) and 1b (16.7%). In Mato Grosso state, subtype 1a was also predominant (41%), followed by subtypes 1b (29.5%) and 3a (25%). In Mato Grosso do Sul state, subtypes 1a and 1b were detected equally (36.8%), followed by 3a (21.1%). Subtype 2b was rare (2.4%, 4.5% and 5.3%, respectively). In Distrito Federal, subtype 3a (39%) was more frequent than 1a (31.7%) and the remaining (29.3%) belonged to subtype 1b.Com objetivo de determinar os genótipos do vírus da hepatite C (HCV) circulantes na Região Centro-Oeste do Brasil, 250 doadores de sangue anti-HCV positivos foram estudados. Dentre eles, a positividade para anti-HCV foi confirmada em 205 (82%). O RNA-HCV foi detectado em 165 amostras, as quais foram genotipadas. Os tipos 1, 2 e 3 do HCV foram encontrados em 67,9%, 3% e 29,1% dos doadores, respectivamente. No Estado de Goiás, o subtipo 1a (50%) foi o mais prevalente, seguido pelos subtipos 3a (30,9%) e 1b (16,7%). No Estado de Mato Grosso, o subtipo 1a (41%) foi também predominante, seguido pelos subtipos 1b (29,5%) e 3a (25%). No Estado de Mato Grosso do Sul, os subtipos 1a e 1b foram igualmente detectados (36,8%), seguidos por 3a (21,1%). O subtipo 2b foi raro (2,4%, 4,5% e 5,3%, respectivamente). No Distrito Federal, o subtipo 3a (39%) foi mais freqüente que 1a (31,7%), sendo o restante (29,3%) identificado como subtipo 1b

Hepatitis C virus infection in Brazilian long-distance truck drivers

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a global public health problem. Long-distance truck drivers live apart from their family for long periods of time, a lifestyle that favors at-risk behaviors such as unprotected sex with multiple partners and illicit drug use. As data concerning HCV infection in this population are still rare, this paper aims to investigate the prevalence, genotypes/subtypes, and the factors associated with HCV infection in long-distance truck drivers in Brazil. A cross-sectional survey was carried out with 641 Brazilian long-truck drivers who were recruited at a major truck stop located at kilometer 1,296 of the BR-153 highway, which is considered to be one of the longest roads in Brazil. All individuals were interviewed, and their serum samples were tested for the presence of antibodies to HCV (anti-HCV) by ELISA and immunoblot. Anti-HCV positive samples were tested for HCV RNA by PCR amplification of the 5' NC and NS5B regions and were genotyped using the LiPA assay and nucleotide sequencing, respectively. Factors associated with HCV infection were identified with logistic regression. The prevalence of HCV infection was 1.4% (95% CI: 0.7-2.8). History of blood transfusion, sharing of personal hygiene tools, illicit drug use and HBV status were factors independently associated with HCV infection in the study population. HCV RNA was detected in 8/9 anti-HCV positive samples, in which genotypes 1 (n = 3), 2 (n = 2), and 3 (n = 3) were determined by LiPA. Using phylogenetic tree analysis of the NS5B region, subtypes 1a (n = 1), 1b (n = 2), 2b (n = 2) and 3a (n = 3) were identified. These data show that the prevalence of HCV infection among Brazilian truck drivers was similar to that observed for the general population. History of blood transfusion, sharing of personal hygiene tools, illicit drug use and HBV status were predictors of HCV infection. The HCV genotypes/subtypes identified in the study population are consistent with those circulating in Brazil

The complete genome sequence of Chromobacterium violaceum reveals remarkable and exploitable bacterial adaptability

Chromobacterium violaceum is one of millions of species of free-living microorganisms that populate the soil and water in the extant areas of tropical biodiversity around the world. Its complete genome sequence reveals (i) extensive alternative pathways for energy generation, (ii) ≈500 ORFs for transport-related proteins, (iii) complex and extensive systems for stress adaptation and motility, and (iv) wide-spread utilization of quorum sensing for control of inducible systems, all of which underpin the versatility and adaptability of the organism. The genome also contains extensive but incomplete arrays of ORFs coding for proteins associated with mammalian pathogenicity, possibly involved in the occasional but often fatal cases of human C. violaceum infection. There is, in addition, a series of previously unknown but important enzymes and secondary metabolites including paraquat-inducible proteins, drug and heavy-metal-resistance proteins, multiple chitinases, and proteins for the detoxification of xenobiotics that may have biotechnological applications

Addition of alternative materials to ceramic slabs

The construction market is very growing, leading to the emergence of new technologies and materials, and a growing need for sustainable products for the construction process, and the call for quality of life we present the description of a new option alternative materials for environments that require careful with the acoustics. The research covers the development and incorporation of new material in construction, with the potential acoustic, from tests and measurements with calibrated decibel meter called. We also used the ceramic tiles pre-molded, used for making floors or ceilings in buildings and homes. The methodology used for the development of this research was characterized as literature, exploratory, descriptive, qualitative and quantitative, alternative and affordable. How after the analysis results of the tests performed it can be seen that the incorporation of rice hulls of agglomerated to form ceramic tiles, possible reductions in noise levels on the order of 8 dB (A) than the traditional construction of the buildings, and then an excellent material. This research contributes to the construction so that presented a description of a new product developed from a conventional material, originating in agriculture, waste rice husk and its incorporation during the construction of buildings and home, with the potential acoustic observed from tests and measurements with calibrated decibel meter called