20 research outputs found
Evaluation of mercury contamination in Descoberto, MG
Mercury is a chemical element considered unessential to any metabolic process; however, it is easily accumulated in most organisms. It is naturally found in both organic and inorganic forms in solid, liquid and vapor states. Its biogeochemical cycle involves processes occurring in the soil, water and the atmosphere. In 2002, elementary mercury was found in the city of Descoberto, Minas Gerais, Brazil, where 70 families live, and its origin may be related to gold exploration that happened in this region in the 19(th) century. In this work, three areas were chosen to identify a possible mercury contamination of water, soil, sediment and fish samples and to establish local reference values and counter-evidence of the data previously obtained. Based on the results, high mercury concentrations in soil (0.26 to 0.55 mg.kg(-1)), sediments (0.13 to 0.61 mg.kg(-1)) and water (< 0.2 to 2,10 mu g.L(-1)) were verified.15430531
Necator americanus and Helminth Co-Infections: Further Down-Modulation of Hookworm-Specific Type 1 Immune Responses
Parasitic infections in humans are common in tropical regions and under bad housing and sanitation conditions multiple parasitic infections are the rule rather than the exception. For helminth infections, which are thought to affect almost a quarter of the world's population, most common combinations include soil-transmitted helminths, such as hookworm, roundworm, and whipworm, as well as extra-intestinal infections by schistosomes. In order to develop and test a hookworm vaccine in endemic areas, the understanding of the impact of multiple helminth infections (co-infection) on the immune response against hookworm in infected individuals is crucial. The authors report in their article, that several parameters of the cellular (T cell markers, cytokines, chemokines) and humoral immune response (e.g. IgG4 and IgE antibodies) against hookworm are significantly affected or modulated in individuals co-infected with hookworm, roundworm and/or schistosomes. These results imply that the immune response against components of a hookworm vaccine might be altered by previous contact with other helminth species in endemic areas
Association of markers of endothelial activation and dysfunction with occurrence and outcome of pulmonary hemorrhage in dogs with leptospirosis
BACKGROUND: Endothelial dysfunction might contribute to the development of leptospiral pulmonary hemorrhage syndrome (LPHS). HYPOTHESIS: Serum concentrations of markers of endothelial activation and dysfunction are higher in dogs with leptospirosis and correlate with the occurrence of LPHS and a higher case fatality rate. ANIMALS: Clinically healthy dogs (n = 31; 10/31 dogs confirmed healthy based on no detected abnormalities on blood work), dogs with leptospirosis with LPHS (n = 17) and without LPHS (n = 15), dogs with acute kidney injury not due to leptospirosis (AKIânL, n = 34). METHODS: Observational study. Serum concentrations of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (sICAMâ1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and angiopoietinâ2 (Angâ2) at admission were compared between groups. Correlations with outcome and the accuracy to predict LPHS were examined. RESULTS: Soluble intercellular adhesion molecule (sICAMâ1), VEGF, and Angâ2 concentrations were higher in dogs with AKIânL (sICAMâ1 34.7 ng/mL, interquartile range [IQR] = 24.4â75.5; VEGF 43.1 pg/mL, IQR = 12.3â79.2; Angâ2 8.5 ng/mL, IQR = 6.2â12.3), leptospirosis without LPHS (sICAMâ1 45.1 ng/mL, IQR = 30.6â59.0; VEGF 32.4 pg/mL, IQR = 12.5â62.6; Angâ2 9.6 ng/mL, IQR = 6.9â19.3), and LPHS (sICAMâ1 69.7 ng/mL, IQR = 42.1â89.1; VEGF 51.8 pg/mL, IQR = 26.3â96.7; Angâ2 8.0 ng/mL, IQR = 5.6â12.2) compared to controls (Pâ<â.001). In dogs with leptospirosis, VEGF and sICAMâ1 were higher in nonsurvivors (sICAMâ1 89.4 ng/mL, IQR = 76.5â101.0; VEGF 117.0 pg/mL, IQR = 90.3â232.4) than survivors (P = .004) and sICAMâ1 predicted the development of LPHS. CONCLUSIONS: Soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1, VEGF, and Angâ2 do not discriminate leptospirosis from AKIânL. In dogs with leptospirosis, sICAMâ1 and VEGF predict outcome and sICAMâ1 might identify dogs at risk for LPHS