Concerns regarding hepatitis B vaccination and post-vaccination test among Brazilian dentists

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Hepatitis B infection is the major cause of acute and chronic liver disease, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma worldwide and has long been recognized as an occupational hazard among dentists. The aim of the present study was to examine factors associated to the self-reporting of hepatitis B vaccination and immunization status among dentists working in the city of Belo Horizonte, Brazil.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A cross-sectional survey was carried out with 1302 dentists in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. After signing a term of informed consent, the participants answered a structured questionnaire on their knowledge regarding their vaccination and immunization status against hepatitis B. Data on demographic, behavioural and occupational exposure aspects were also collected through questionnaires.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The results revealed that 73.8% of the dentists reported having received three doses of the vaccine. Multivariate analysis revealed that gender (p = 0.006), use of individual protective equipment (p = 0.021), history of blood transfusion (p = 0.024) and history of illicit drug use (p = 0.013) were independently associated with vaccination against hepatitis B. Only 14.8% had performed a post-vaccination test. The use of individual protective equipment (p = 0.038), dentists who asked patients about hepatitis during dental treatment (p < 0.001), a family history of hepatitis B (p = 0.003) and work experience (p < 0.05) were independently associated with the post-vaccination test.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Although there were a large number of vaccinated dentists in Belo Horizonte, the percentage was less than what was expected, as Brazil offers the National Program of Viral Hepatitis Vaccination, which provides free hepatitis B vaccinations to all healthcare workers. Despite being part of a high risk group for contamination, most of the dentists did not know their immunization status.</p

Factors associated with seroprevalence of hepatitis C among dentists at a large Brazilian city

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The aim of the present study was to investigate the seroprevalence and sociodemographic data, health-related and occupational factors and other correlates of sero-posivity among dentists in the city of Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A cross-sectional survey was carried out with 1302 dentists in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. All dentists were tested for anti-HCV using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Individuals positive for anti-HCV were recalled for further evaluation. The presence of HCV RNA in anti-HCV-positive samples was assessed using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Data on demographic, behavioural and occupational exposure aspects were collected through questionnaires.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The seroprevalence of anti-HCV was 0.9% (95% IC 0.5-1.7%). The factors associated to the prevalence of hepatitis C were history of blood transfusion (p = 0.002) and having undergone a test for hepatitis C (p = 0.015).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The seroprevalence of anti-HCV among dentists is low. Moreover, no occupational exposure was associated to the seroprevalence of hepatitis C.</p

Production and characterization of collagenase by Penicillium sp. UCP 1286 isolated from Caatinga soil

A new Penicillium sp. strain isolated from the soil of Caatinga, a Brazilian Biome (UCP 1286) was selected for collagenase production. Fermentation system allowing obtention of collagenolytic activity about 2.7 times higher than existing data, with the highest values of collagenolytic and specific activity (379.80 U/mL, 1460.77 U/mg, respectively), after 126 hours. Applying a factorial design, enzyme production was increased by about 65% compared to the preliminary results. The factorial design demonstrated the existence of two factors with statistical significance on the production of the enzyme: pH and temperature, both with negative effects. Enzyme was found to be more active at pH 9.0 and 37 °C, and also to be very stable in comparison with the collagenase produced by other microorganisms. The enzyme seems to belong to collagenolytic serine proteases family. Concerning the substrate specificity, it was observed that the highest enzyme activity corresponds to azocoll, there was no relevant activity on azocasein and the enzyme showed to be more specific to type V collagen and gelatin than the commercial colagenase produced by Clostridium histolyticum. Major band observed at electrophoresis was approximately 37 kDa. Zymogram analysis confirmed the collagenolytic activity. All data indicates this enzyme as promising biotechnology product.This work was supported by Fundação de Amparo à Ciência e Tecnologia do Estado de Pernambuco (FACEPE) (IBPG-0137-2.08/12) and Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq). Sara Silvério also acknowledges her post-doc grant (SFRH/BPD/88584/2012) from FCT (Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia), Portugal

Evaluation the best condition of Fibrinolytic protease production using factorial design by Streptomyces sp DPUA 1573

XI Reunião Regional Nordeste da SBBq | 4th International Symposium in Biochemistry of Macromolecules and BiotechnologyFibrinolytic enzymes have the ability to degrade fibrin clots formed for avoiding intravascular thrombosis. In the pharmaceutical industry there is a search for new fibrinolytic agent that reduces the production cost and increasing productivity. The use of microorganism for enzyme production, such as the genus Streptomyces has been reported. Streptomyces is a Gram-positive bacteria, responsible for producing many bioactive compounds and extracellular enzymes of pharmaceutical interest. This study aimed to evaluated the production of fibrinolytic protease by Streptomyces sp DPUA 1573. Microbial cells were cultivated in the ISP2 for 48 hours, after this period the strains were inoculated in MS2 (soybean medium) that according with factorial design 24 (concentrations of soybean 0.5; 1.0 and 1.5%, glucose 0; 0.5 and 1.0% and different speeds 150 rpm; 200 rpm and 250 rpm and temperature 28C; 30C and 32C). The factorial design was analyzed by variance analysis (anova) and the glucose concentration showed a positive and significative effect. The results showed that the variable interaction had significant effect. that the best condition was composed 1.5% soybean, 1% glucose, 28 ºC and 150 speed in 48 hours, with production fibrinolytic 1391.66 U/mL. These values were higher than those reported in the literature. However these results show the biggest potencial in production fibrinolytic enzyme by Streptomyces.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Dataset after seven years simulating hybrid energy systems with Homer Legacy

Homer Legacy software is a well-known software for simulation of small hybrid systems that can be used for both design and research. This dataset is a set of files generated by Homer Legacy bringing the simulation results of hybrid energy systems over the last seven years, as a consequence of the research work led by Dr. Alexandre Beluco, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, in southern Brazil. The data correspond to twelve papers published in the last seven years. Two of them describe hydro PV hybrid systems with photovoltaic panels operating on the water surface of reservoirs. One of these twelve papers suggests the modeling of hydropower plants with reservoirs and the other the modeling of pumped hydro storage, and a third still uses these models in a place that could receive both the two types of hydroelectric power plant. The other simulated hybrid systems include wind turbines, diesel generators, batteries, among other components. This data article describes the files that integrate this dataset and the papers that have been published presenting the hybrid systems under study and discussing the results. The files that make up this dataset are available on Mendeley Data repository at https://doi.org/10.17632/ybxsttf2by.2