Whole tissue cervical mapping of HPV infection: Molecular evidence for focal latent HPV infection in humans.

In this study, we aimed to provide molecular evidence of HPV latency in humans and discuss potential challenges of conducting studies on latency. We analyzed the entire cervix of two women who underwent hysterectomy unrelated to cervical abnormality. The cervices were sectioned into 242 and 186 sets respectively, and each set was tested separately for HPV using the SPF10-PCR-DEIA-LiPA25 system. To identify whether there was any evidence of transforming or productive infection, we used the biomarkers E4 and P16INK4a to stain slides immediately adjacent to HPV-positive sections. HPV was detected in both cervices. In patient 1, 1/242 sets was positive for HPV31. In patient 2, 13/186 sets were positive for HPV18 and 1/186 was positive for HPV53. The infection was very focal in both patients, and there was no sign of a transforming or productive infection, as evaluated by the markers E4 and P16INK4a. Had we only analyzed one set from each block, the probability of detecting the infection would have been 32.3% and 2%, respectively.Our findings support the idea that HPV may be able to establish latency in the human cervix; however, the risk associated with a latent HPV infection remains unclear

Trabalho infantil : uma análise das tentativas de sua erradicação no Brasil

Orientadora: Profª Drª Silvia Maria P. AraújoDissertaçao (mestrado) - Universidade Federal do Paraná, Setor de Ciencias Humanas, Letras e Artes, Programa de Pós-Graduaçao em Sociologia. Defesa: Curitiba, 22/12/2003Inclui bibliografiaResumo: Esta dissertação pretende analisar a problemática da erradicação do trabalho infantil a partir dos discursos que se produziram ao longo da história moderna, relativos às descrições de infância e dos contextos que separam o mundo adulto do mundo infantil, ou, ao retrato da construção social do que representa a infância: o mundo do trabalho como retrato do universo adulto e a educação formal (escola) como síntese da vida em formação. Os pressupostos da educação formal e do trabalho norteiam as discussões que embasam os discursos a partir dos quais, a reprodução de valores inerentes ao sistema capitalista e suas contradições, evidenciam a necessidade de se elaborar um problema social, o qual necessita de descrição, avaliação e intervenção. Ao trazer a problemática da construção do trabalho infantil como problema social, esta pesquisa pretende analisar o processo histórico da construção da problemática do trabalho infantil retratado como um problema que deve ser exterminado, segundo os discursos, tendo como base categorias trabalho e infância. Pretende ainda, compreender o contexto histórico e socioeconômico no qual o trabalho infantil passou a ser combatido como um problema social, mais precisamente no Brasil, por meio de políticas públicas, bem como, identificar no processo do que se denomina de erradicação, a garantia do controle da formação de mão-de-obra, através dos programas voltados aos jovens e às crianças pobres e vulneráveis. Por fim, esta pesquisa lança uma reflexão sobre a necessidade de participação das crianças na elaboração de documentos ou iniciativas, que garantam os direitos da infância e da adolescência e que as mesmas possam escolher dentro de suas respectivas realidades, como traçar seus destinos. A pesquisa tem como base a coleta de dados documentais que evidenciam o pressuposto de trabalho infantil como um problema social, bem como, as contradições no discurso da erradicação, contemplando documentos do PETI (Programa de Erradicação do Trabalho Infantil), do Fórum Nacional de Prevenção e Erradicação do Trabalho Infantil e do ECA (Estatuto da Criança e do Adolescente), além de participações nas reuniões do Fórum, em Curitiba, na Procuradoria Regional do Trabalho, durante o ano de 2002

Primary prevention of diabetes mellitus type 2 and cardiovascular diseases using a cognitive behavior program aimed at lifestyle changes in people at risk: Design of a randomized controlled trial

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The number of people with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM) is growing rapidly. To a large extend, this increase is due to lifestyle-dependent risk factors, such as overweight, reduced physical activity, and an unhealthy diet. Changing these risk factors has the potential to postpone or prevent the development of T2DM and CVD. It is hypothesized that a cognitive behavioral program (CBP), focused in particular on motivation and self-management in persons who are at high risk for CVD and/or T2DM, will improve their lifestyle behavior and, as a result, will reduce their risk of developing T2DM and CVD.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>12,000 inhabitants, 30-50 years of age living in several municipalities in the semi-rural region of West-Friesland will receive an invitation from their general practitioner (n = 13) to measure their own waist circumference with a tape measure. People with abdominal obesity (male waist ≥ 102 cm, female waist ≥ 88 cm) will be invited to participate in the second step of the screening which includes blood pressure, a blood sample and anthropometric measurements. T2DM and CVD risk scores will then be calculated according to the ARIC and the SCORE formulae, respectively. People with a score that indicates a high risk of developing T2DM and/or CVD will then be randomly assigned to the intervention group (n = 300) or the control group (n = 300).</p> <p>Participants in the intervention group will follow a CBP aimed at modifying their dietary behavior, physical activity, and smoking behavior. The counseling methods that will be used are <it>motivational interviewing </it>(MI) and <it>problem solving treatment </it>(PST), which focus in particular on intrinsic motivation for change and self-management of problems of the participants. The CBP will be provided by trained nurse practitioners in the participant's general practice, and will consists of a maximum of six individual sessions of 30 minutes, followed by 3-monthly booster sessions by phone. Participants in the control group will receive brochures containing health guidelines regarding physical activity and diet, and how to stop smoking. The primary outcome measures will be changes in T2DM and CVD risk scores. Secondary outcome measures will be changes in lifestyle behavior and cost-effectiveness and cost-utility ratios. All relevant direct and indirect costs will be measured, and there will be a follow-up of 24 months.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>Changing behaviors is difficult, requires time, considerable effort and motivation. Combining the two counseling methods MI and PST, followed by booster sessions may result in sustained behavioral change.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN59358434</p