Older people's knowledge often a living centers of the third age about HIV/AIDS

Objective: To assess the knowledge of elderly participants in the Living Center for Senior Citizens on HIV / AIDS. Method: An exploratory and descriptive study with a qualitative approach, conducted through interviews with 17 elderly participants in the Living Center for Senior Citizens in Teresina-PI. The data analysis allowed us to establish three categories: knowledge of elderly HIV / AIDS; methods used by the elderly in the prevention of HIV / AIDS and health education in the prevention of HIV / AIDS. Results: The elderly hold little knowledge about HIV / AIDS, with an emphasis on prevention, transmission and susceptibility of contracting HIV at any stage of life. Few subjects reported on the use of an adequate method of prevention. Conclusion: We emphasize the importance of Health Education as a strategy to improve the knowledge of the elderly population about important aspects of HIV / AIDS, mainly with regard to the myths related to the mode of transmission

Estudo de Caso: Recuperação e reforço estrutural em edifício empresarial no meio urbano / Case Study: Recovery and structural reinforcement in business building in the urban environment

O estudo da durabilidade das estruturas de concreto é um tema complexo que trata de uma quantidade significante de variáveis que afetarão a vida útil de uma construção. Um dos principais motivos de deterioração do concreto é a corrosão, que pode ser iniciada por íons cloreto ou através de dióxido de carbono. Este estudo tem como método um estudo de caso realizado através de inspeções visuais em edifício sede de uma empresa estatal regional, inaugurado em 20 de julho de 1977, localizado na cidade do Recife – PE. Cuja estrutura foi executada toda em concreto armado, com suas fachadas em concreto aparente e placas pré-moldadas. O objeto de estudo sofre em virtude de corrosão nas armaduras do concreto e nele foram identificados os indicadores da manifestação patológica, que são caracterizados por fissuras, trincas, exposição de ferragem e eventualmente desplacamentos, e detalhado o meio de recuperação e reforço da estrutura. Após a inspeção da edificação, constataram-se anomalias relacionadas à corrosão em diversos elementos estruturais. Dentre eles, destaca-se a laje do 1º pavimento do Bloco C, pois apresentava um grau avançado de deterioração, com desplacamento de concreto e perda de seção do aço. Por fim, a recuperação e os reforços empregados na edificação não eliminam a necessidade de inspeção periódica da estrutura, tendo em vista que o processo de corrosão reiniciará após o tratamento

Naturally Acquired Humoral Immunity against Malaria Parasites in Non-Human Primates from the Brazilian Amazon, Cerrado and Atlantic Forest.

Plasmodium - Plasmodium brasilianum - P. malariae - P. malariae - P. falciparum - P. vivax - Plasmodium content: - "Non-human primates (NHPs) have been shown to be infected by parasites of the genus " - ", the etiological agent of malaria in humans, creating potential risks of zoonotic transmission. " - ", a parasite species similar to " - " of humans, have been described in NHPs from Central and South America, including Brazil. The merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP1), besides being a malaria vaccine candidate, is highly immunogenic. Due to such properties, we tested this protein for the diagnosis of parasite infection. We used recombinant proteins of " - " MSP1, as well as of " - " and " - ", for the detection of antibodies anti-MSP1 of these parasite species, in the sera of NHPs collected in different regions of Brazil. About 40% of the NHP sera were confirmed as reactive to the proteins of one or more parasite species. A relatively higher number of reactive sera was found in animals from the Atlantic Forest than those from the Amazon region, possibly reflecting the former more intense parasite circulation among NHPs due to their proximity to humans at a higher populational density. The presence of " - " positive NHPs in the surveyed areas, being therefore potential parasite reservoirs, needs to be considered in any malaria surveillance program.

Rationale, study design, and analysis plan of the Alveolar Recruitment for ARDS Trial (ART): Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is associated with high in-hospital mortality. Alveolar recruitment followed by ventilation at optimal titrated PEEP may reduce ventilator-induced lung injury and improve oxygenation in patients with ARDS, but the effects on mortality and other clinical outcomes remain unknown. This article reports the rationale, study design, and analysis plan of the Alveolar Recruitment for ARDS Trial (ART). Methods/Design: ART is a pragmatic, multicenter, randomized (concealed), controlled trial, which aims to determine if maximum stepwise alveolar recruitment associated with PEEP titration is able to increase 28-day survival in patients with ARDS compared to conventional treatment (ARDSNet strategy). We will enroll adult patients with ARDS of less than 72 h duration. The intervention group will receive an alveolar recruitment maneuver, with stepwise increases of PEEP achieving 45 cmH(2)O and peak pressure of 60 cmH2O, followed by ventilation with optimal PEEP titrated according to the static compliance of the respiratory system. In the control group, mechanical ventilation will follow a conventional protocol (ARDSNet). In both groups, we will use controlled volume mode with low tidal volumes (4 to 6 mL/kg of predicted body weight) and targeting plateau pressure <= 30 cmH2O. The primary outcome is 28-day survival, and the secondary outcomes are: length of ICU stay; length of hospital stay; pneumothorax requiring chest tube during first 7 days; barotrauma during first 7 days; mechanical ventilation-free days from days 1 to 28; ICU, in-hospital, and 6-month survival. ART is an event-guided trial planned to last until 520 events (deaths within 28 days) are observed. These events allow detection of a hazard ratio of 0.75, with 90% power and two-tailed type I error of 5%. All analysis will follow the intention-to-treat principle. Discussion: If the ART strategy with maximum recruitment and PEEP titration improves 28-day survival, this will represent a notable advance to the care of ARDS patients. Conversely, if the ART strategy is similar or inferior to the current evidence-based strategy (ARDSNet), this should also change current practice as many institutions routinely employ recruitment maneuvers and set PEEP levels according to some titration method.Hospital do Coracao (HCor) as part of the Program 'Hospitais de Excelencia a Servico do SUS (PROADI-SUS)'Brazilian Ministry of Healt

Assessing diversity, Plasmodium infection and blood meal sources in mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) from a Brazilian Zoological Park with avian malaria transmission

Zoological gardens in forest areas host a large diversity of vertebrate species (exotic and indigenous, free-living and captive, migrant and resident), resulting in an artificial proximity of animal species that would never share the same environment in natural conditions. The presence of mosquitoes enables the transmission of vector-borne pathogens, as is the case with avian malaria parasites. The mild infections in some bird species may become a serious threat to others that do not possess a natural resistance. Thus, the identification of the potential vectors of these parasites is important for future control of these agents, aiming at the bird species conservation. In this study, we collected over 2000 mosquitoes in Sao Paulo Zoo and analyzed them through molecular methods. Six different mosquito species yielded positive for the targeted parasite DNA. We demonstrated that these culicids had fed mainly on bird species and we reported three mosquito species that have never been previously incriminated as potential vectors of these parasites, enabling the use of more specific measures for vigilance and mosquito control. Avian malaria parasites are widespread parasites transmitted by Culicidae insects belonging to different genera. Even though several studies have been conducted recently, there is still a lack of information about potential vectors of Plasmodium parasites, especially in Neotropical regions. Former studies with free-living and captive animals in Sao Paulo Zoo showed the presence of several Plasmodium and Haemoproteus species. In 2015, a pilot study was conducted at the zoo to collect mosquitoes in order to find out (i) which species of Culicidae are present in the study area, (ii) what are their blood meal sources, and (iii) to which Plasmodium species might they be potential vectors. Mosquitoes were morphologically and molecularly identified. Blood meal source and haemosporidian DNA were identified using molecular protocols. A total of 25 Culicidae species were identified, and 6 of them were positive for Plasmodium/Haemoproteus DNA. Ten mosquito species had their source of blood meal identified, which were mainly birds, including some species that were positive for haemosporidian parasites in the former study mentioned. This study allowed us to expand the list of potential vectors of avian malaria parasites and to improve our knowledge of the evolutionary and ecological relationships between the highly diverse communities of birds, parasites, and vectors present at Sao Paulo Zoo

Naturally acquired humoral immunity against malaria parasites in non-human primates from the Brazilian Amazon, Cerrado and Atlantic forest

Non-human primates (NHPs) have been shown to be infected by parasites of the genusPlasmodium, the etiological agent of malaria in humans, creating potential risks of zoonotic transmission.Plasmodium brasilianum, a parasite species similar toP. malariaeof humans, have been described in NHPs from Central and South America, including Brazil. The merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP1), besides being a malaria vaccine candidate, is highly immunogenic. Due to such properties, we tested this protein for the diagnosis of parasite infection. We used recombinant proteins ofP. malariaeMSP1, as well as ofP. falciparumandP. vivax, for the detection of antibodies anti-MSP1 of these parasite species, in the sera of NHPs collected in different regions of Brazil. About 40% of the NHP sera were confirmed as reactive to the proteins of one or more parasite species. A relatively higher number of reactive sera was found in animals from the Atlantic Forest than those from the Amazon region, possibly reflecting the former more intense parasite circulation among NHPs due to their proximity to humans at a higher populational density. The presence ofPlasmodiumpositive NHPs in the surveyed areas, being therefore potential parasite reservoirs, needs to be considered in any malaria surveillance program