Experimentação e uso regular de drogas ilícitas por estudantes no município de Bragança, nordeste do Pará

Este estudo determinou a prevalência e os fatores associados ao uso de drogas ilícitas entre estudantes de escolas de ensino médio do município de Bragança, Pará, norte do Brasil. Estudo transversal de base escolar, totalizando cinco escolas públicas e 1.632 estudantes do município de Bragança. O questionário auto-aplicável foi adaptado de outros estudos epidemiológicos adequados ao grupo populacional, com rigoroso procedimento, garantindo anonimato e sigilo. A prevalência de uso de drogas ilícitas entre estudantes foi 4,37%. Diversos fatores de risco ao uso de drogas lícitas e ilícitas foram detectados, dos quais destacam-se: a ausência de participação dos pais na vida escolar dos estudantes, renda familiar superior a 3 salários mínimos, pais, amigos e familiares que usam droga ilícita e a falta de incentivo para não usar droga ilícita. Em suma, este estudo identificou que o uso regular de drogas ilícitas está associada a fatores sociais e econômicos, os quais deverão ser considerados na elaboração de medidas para controle e prevenção ao uso de drogas ilícitas no município de Bragança

Uso de bebidas alcoólicas entre estudantes adolescentes no município de Soure, Pará, Brasil

Objetivos: Este estudo identificou prevalências e fatores associados ao uso de bebidas alcoólicas entre estudantes adolescentes no município de Soure, Pará, norte do Brasil. Materiais e métodos: Neste estudo transversal, 736 estudantes adolescentes, oriundos de escolas públicas de ensino médio, forneceram informações por meio de formulário estruturado. Os testes Qui-quadrado e Odds Ratio foram usados para identificar os fatores associados ao uso de bebidas alcoólicas. Resultados: No total, 376 (51,1%) adolescentes informaram ter usado bebida alcoólica na vida e outros 166 (22,6%) afirmaram ter usado frequentemente nos últimos 30 dias. Cerveja, cachaça e misturas de frutas com cachaça foram as bebidas alcoólicas utilizadas na última vez de consumo. O uso de drogas psicotrópicas pelos pais ou responsáveis e amigos (todos ou a maioria deles) foram os fatores associados ao uso na vida e nos últimos 30 dias, sendo idade > 16 anos também associado ao uso nos últimos 30 dias. Conclusões: As elevadas prevalências de uso de bebidas alcoólicas e a associação com uso de drogas psicotrópicas por pais e amigos indicam um cenário preocupante, no qual há necessidade urgente de ações para prevenção e controle de uso de drogas psicotrópicas em Soure

Increased risk of venous thrombosis by AB alleles of the ABO blood group and Factor V Leiden in a Brazilian population

Most cases of a predisposition to venous thrombosis are caused by resistance to activated protein C, associated in 95% of cases with the Factor V Leiden allele (FVL or R506Q). Several recent studies report a further increased risk of thrombosis by an association between the AB alleles of the ABO blood group and Factor V Leiden. The present study investigated this association with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in individuals treated at the Hemocentro de Pernambuco in northeastern Brazil. A case-control comparison showed a significant risk of thrombosis in the presence of Factor V Leiden (OR = 10.1), which was approximately doubled when the AB alleles of the ABO blood group were present as well (OR = 22.3). These results confirm that the increased risk of deep vein thrombosis in the combined presence of AB alleles and Factor V Leiden is also applicable to the Brazilian population suggesting that ABO blood group typing should be routinely added to FVL in studies involving thrombosis

Hepatitis C Virus among Female Sex Workers: A Cross-Sectional Study Conducted along Rivers and Highways in the Amazon Region

Background: Previous studies found a high prevalence of pathogens among female sex workers (FSWs) in the Amazon region, and established their parenteral and sexual transmission. This study estimated the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and associated risk factors, and the frequency of HCV genotypes and resistance-associated substitutions (RASs) in this vulnerable group. Methods: Distinct sampling methods were used to access 412 FSWs in cities and riverside communities in the Amazon region from 2015 to 2018. Three methods for HCV diagnosis were used to determine infection status. HCV genotypes and RASs were identified by sequencing and nucleotide fragment analysis. An association between HCV infection and exposure factors was determined by bivariate and multivariate analysis. Results: In total, 44 (10.7%) FSWs were exposed to HCV, and 32 (7.8%) of them had active infection. Nine socioeconomic characteristics and risky sexual behaviors were associated with HCV exposure, particularly unprotected sex and condom exemption for the clients who paid extra money. Genotype 1 (81.3%) and 3 (18.7%) were detected. The frequency of FSWs with RASs was 23.1% (6/26) for grazoprevir related to the occurrence of substitutions Y56F and S122G. Conclusions: HCV infection among FSWs is highly prevalent and dominated by genotype I. Urgent preventive and treatment measures are required to reduce HCV infection in FSWs and the general population

Genomic organization of the repetitive sequences in Centropomus undecimalis (Perciformes, Centropomidae): implications for hybridization and aquaculture programs

Federal University of Pará. Faculty of Natural Sciences. Institute of Coastal Studies. Bragança PA, Brazil.Federal University of Pará. Faculty of Natural Sciences. Institute of Exact and Natural Sciences. Belém PA, Brazil / Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Laboratório de Cultura de Tecidos. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil.Cambridge Resource Center for Comparative Genomics. Cambridge, United Kingdom.Federal University of Pará. Faculty of Natural Sciences. Institute of Coastal Studies. Bragança PA, Brazil.Federal University of Pará. Faculty of Natural Sciences. Institute of Coastal Studies. Bragança PA, Brazil / University of Porto. Agrarian Campus of Vairão. Center for Research in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources. Associated Laboratory. Vairão, Portugal.Federal University of Pará. Faculty of Natural Sciences. Institute of Exact and Natural Sciences. Belém PA, Brazil / Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Laboratório de Cultura de Tecidos. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil.Federal University of Pará. Faculty of Natural Sciences. Institute of Coastal Studies. Bragança PA, Brazil.The family Centropomidae includes a number of fish species of high commercial value. One of these species, Centropomus undecimalis, is a target of artisanal, industrial, and sports fisheries and has also considerable potential for captive breeding, which has led to its inclusion in several aquaculture programs. While the biology and ecology of C. undecimalis are relatively well documented, few karyological data are available on this species, and they are still scarce for other centropomids. The few chromosomal data available on this family indicate a conserved karyotype 2n = 48, but it is unclear whether the chromosome microstructure is also conserved. In this study, new cytogenetic data are presented on C. undecimalis from the Amazon coastal zone, including C-banding, Ag-NOR, in situ hybridization with repetitive DNA probes (5S and 18S ribosomal genes), and telomeric (TTAGGG)n sequences. The diploid number of the species was 2n = 48, with heterochromatic blocks in the centromeric and pericentromeric regions, as well as distal signals; the nucleolus organizer regions (NORs) were associated with the heterochromatic region. The 18S and 5S recombinant DNA (rDNA) clusters were located in the distal region of chromosome pairs 1 and 11, respectively. The similarities of the karyotype macrostructure found among the centropomid species reinforce their exceptional chromosomal stability. However, the presence of heterochromatic blocks and location of NORs suggest the occurrence of structural rearrangements, which indicates that evolutionary dynamics at the microstructural level in this group may be relatively complex and should be evaluated carefully in any study that targets the production of hybrids for aquaculture

Cytogenetics description in Batrachoides surinamensis, (Batrachoididae: Batrachoidiformes): what does the estuary have to say?

Universidade Federal do Pará. Campus Universitário de Bragança. Instituto de Estudos Costeiros. Bragança, PA, Brazil.Universidade Federal do Pará. Campus Universitário de Bragança. Instituto de Estudos Costeiros. Bragança, PA, Brazil.Universidade Federal do Pará. Campus Universitário de Bragança. Instituto de Estudos Costeiros. Bragança, PA, Brazil / Universidade do Porto. Campus agrário de Vairão. Laboratório Associado. Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos. Vairão, PT, Portugal.Universidade Federal de São Carlos. Laboratório de Citogenética de Peixes. Departamento de Genética e Evolução. São Carlos, SP, Brazil.Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte - Campus Universitário. Centro de Biociências. Departamento de Biologia Celular e Genética. Natal, RN, Brazil.Universidade Federal do Pará - Campus Universitário de Belém.Instituto de Ciências Exatas e Naturais. Belém, PA, Brazil / Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Laboratório de Cultura de Tecidos. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil.Universidade Federal do Pará. Campus Universitário de Bragança. Instituto de Estudos Costeiros. Bragança, PA, Brazil.The Batrachoididae (Batrachoidiformes) is a diverse fish family (84 species) of considerable medical interest, responsible for large numbers of injuries in fishermen and bathers in northern Brazil. Batrachoides surinamensis (the Pacuma toadfish) is the most common Batrachoididae species in the Amazon coastal zone. The capacity of this species to adapt to the dynamic environment of estuaries, its sedentary behavior, and benthic spawning all contribute to the interest in this fish as a model for the study of patterns of chromosomal diversification. The present study investigated the chromosomal features of this species through conventional (Giemsa, C-banding, and Ag-NOR) and molecular (FISH mapping of the 18S and 5S rRNA, and the telomeric sequences) cytogenetic approaches. This is the first description of the karyotype of this species, which has a diploid number (2n) of 46 chromosomes (6m+8sm + 20st+12a) and a fundamental number (FN) of 80. All the chromosomes presented C-banding in the pericentromeric region. The AgNOR/18S rRNA sites were observed exclusively on the short arms of pair 13, whereas multiple 5S rRNA sites were found, on pairs 7 (submetacentric) and 20 (acrocentric). The telomeric probes revealed interstitial telomeric sequences (ITSs) in metacentric pair 3, indicating the occurrence of chromosome fusion. The karyotype of B. surinamensis presents a number of derived karyotypic features, and is differentiated primarily by its pericentric inversions and the apparent occurrence of at least one chromosome fusion event. The collection of additional cytogenetic data on other Batrachoididae species, and other populations of B. surinamensis, will provide further insights into the role of estuarine environments in the chromosomal diversification of this fish group

Prevalence and genotyping of hepatitis C virus in blood donors in the state of Pará, Northern Brazil

Given the scarcity of epidemiological information on hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in Northern Brazil, we determined the prevalence and genotypic frequency in blood donors in the state of Pará (PA). Blood samples from all of the blood donors at the Fundação HEMOPA (blood bank of PA) from 2004-2006 were screened for the presence of antibodies to anti-HCV and samples seroreactive to anti-HCV were further tested for HCV RNA using real-time PCR. In total, 116 HCV-RNA samples were genotyped, based on maximum likelihood phylogenetic analyses, using BioEdit, Modelgenerator, PHYML and FigTree software. The population consisted of 242,726 volunteers who donated blood from 2004-2006; the most common subgroup was males between the ages of 18-29 years old (37.30%). Within the whole group, 1,112 blood donors (0.46%) had indeterminate or positive serology; among these, 28.78% were males whose ages ranged from 18-29 years. A diagnosis of chronic HCV infection was confirmed for 304 donors (60.20% males; 66.45% were 30-49 years old), resulting in a prevalence of HCV RNA in 0.13% of the samples (304 of 242,726). HCV genotyping revealed a high frequency of genotype 1 (108/116) followed by genotype 3 (8/116). This study found HCV infection to be relatively infrequent in PA; genotype 1 was most commonly isolated. This information can help guide prevention and control policies aimed at efficient diagnosis and control measures

Discriminação alélica do fator V da coagulação por PCR em tempo real: diagnóstico simples e preciso Allelic discrimination of coagulation factor V by real time PCR: a simple and accurate diagnosis

Dentre as doenças cardiovasculares, a trombose venosa (TV) destaca-se pela associação entre fatores de riscos adquiridos e fatores genéticos. A resistência hereditária à proteína C ativada tem sido identificada como a principal causa dos casos de trombose venosa, sendo frequentemente associada à mutação fator V Leiden (G1694A). Em indivíduos homozigotos, o risco de trombose venosa é 50 a 100 vezes maior que em pacientes homozigotos normais, enquanto em pacientes heterozigotos o risco é de 5 a 10 vezes. Baseado na necessidade de avaliação e acompanhamento de pacientes com casos de trombose venosa e prevenção de seus respectivos familiares, foi desenvolvido um método simples de discriminação alélica do fator V da coagulação utilizando PCR em tempo real. Foram selecionados 67 pacientes com histórico de TV e 51 indivíduos sem histórico de TV. Primeiramente, a discriminação alélica do fator V foi realizada através de PCR convencional seguida de digestão enzimática (Mnl). Posteriormente, o diagnóstico foi realizado por PCR em tempo real. Ambos os métodos foram baseados no polimorfismo G1691A, sendo no segundo utilizado fluoróforos VIC e FAM para marcar os nucleotídeos G e A, respectivamente. A técnica de PCR-RFLP foi utilizada para diagnosticar 95 indivíduos homozigotos normais, 21 heterozigotos e 2 homozigotos FVL. Utilizando PCR em tempo real foram obtidos os mesmos resultados. A máxima similaridade entre os resultados obtidos por PCR em tempo real e PCR-RFLP indicou precisão significativa do novo método de discriminação e visualização alélica do fator V.Among cardiovascular diseases, venous thrombosis is important due to the association between acquired and genetic risks factors. Hereditary resistance to activated protein C has been identified as the main cause of venous thrombosis, and is frequently associated to the factor V Leiden mutation (G1694A). In homozygotic individuals, the risk of venous thrombosis is 50 to 100 times higher that in normal patients, while in heterozygotic patients the risk is 5 to 10 times higher. Based on the need of evaluation and follow up of patients with venous thrombosis and prevention in their respective families, a simple method of allelic discrimination of coagulation V factor was developed using real time PCR. Sixty-seven patients with a history of venous thrombosis and 51 individuals without venous thrombosis were selected for this study. First, identification of the factor V allele was achieved through conventional PCR followed by enzymatic digestion (Mnl). Subsequently, diagnosis was attained by real time PCR. Both the methods investigated the G1691A polymorphism using VIC and FAM fluorophores to mark nucleotides G and A, respectively. By PCR-RFLP, 95 individuals were diagnosed as normal homozygotes, 21 as heterozygotes and 2 as homozygotic factor V Leiden individuals. The same results were obtained using real time PCR. Maximum similarity between the results of real time PCR and PCR-RFLP indicates high precision of the new method for allelic identification and visualization of factor V Leiden