CCR5 genotypes and progression to HIV disease in perinatally infected children

The CCR5 molecule, a chemokine receptor, is the most important co-receptor for macrophage-tropic HIV-1. A 32-bp deletion in the gene encoding CCR5 (CCR5-del32) confers nearly complete resistance to HIV-1 infection in homozygotes, and slows the rate of progression to AIDS in heterozygous adults. The aim of this study was to describe the CCR5 genotypes and the characteristics of HIV disease progression in perinatally infected children. From a total of 51 children analyzed for the CCR5-del32 mutation, 18 (35%) were considered to be rapid progressors, 28 (55%) were moderate progressors and 5 (10%) were slow progressors. A portion of the CCR5 gene was amplified by PCR from genomic DNA followed by agarose gel electrophoresis. Forty-nine children (96%) carried the homozygous wild type genotype for CCR5 while 2 (4%) carried the heterozygous wt/del32 genotype. In the population studied, the CCR5 genotype was unable to account for the differences in pattern of the disease progression among the three groups (rapid, moderate and slow progressors), and the allele frequency of CCR5-del32 was too low to allow statistical comparisons with adequate resolving power. Studies on larger populations may help to further elucidate the role of this allele and other host factors in the regulation of HIV-1 pathogenesis in children.USP HCFM Institute of Tropical Medicine of São PauloUNIFESP Federal University of São PauloUNIFESP, UNIFESPSciEL

Atividade antifúngica de produtos utilizados na descontaminação de próteses dentárias sobre o crescimento de candida albicans

The effectiveness of antimicrobial solutions employed in dental prosthesis decontamination is still uncertain. Aim: To evaluate the antifungal activity of cleaners used in the decontamination of dental prostheses on the growth of Candida albicans. Material and method: The evaluated products were: Corega Tabs(r) (S1), Sodium Hypochlorite 1% (S2), Sodium Bicarbonate 1% (S3), Hydrogen Peroxide 1% (S4), Chlorhexidine Digluconate 0.12% - Periogard (r) (S5), Mouthrinse based on essential oils - Listerine(r) (S6), essential oil from Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) at concentrations of 1% (S7) and 2% (S8). The antifungal activity of the products was evaluated by agar diffusion technique and the determination of microbial death curve of samples of C. albicans (ATCC 90028) in concentration 1.5 × 106 CFU/mL. The tests were performed in triplicate and statistical analysis was made by ANOVA Two-Way and Tukey tests, with the confidence level of 95%. Result: The average of the zones of inhibition growth, in millimeters, obtained for the products were: 0.0 (S1), 44.7 (S2), 0.0 (S3), 21.6 (S4), 10.0 (S5), 6.1 (S6), 0.0 (S7) and 2.4 (S8). Considering the determination of microbial death curve, all products showed a statistical difference (p<0.01) from control (0.85% sodium chloride) and S3 groups. Fungal growth less than 2×104 CFU/mL and an accentuation of the microbial death curve were observed after 30 minutes, with exception for S3 and control groups. Conclusion: The studied compounds, with the exception of Sodium Bicarbonate, have antifungal effect against C. albicans, which contribute for dental prostheses hygiene432137143A efetividade de soluções antimicrobianas empregadas na descontaminação de próteses ainda é incerta. Objetivo: Avaliar a atividade antifúngica de soluções empregadas na descontaminação de próteses sobre o crescimento de Candida albicans. Material e método: Foram avaliados os produtos: Corega Tabs Branqueador(r) (S1), Hipoclorito de Sódio 1% (S2), Bicarbonato de Sódio 1% (S3), Peróxido de Hidrogênio 1% (S4), Digluconato de Clorexidina 0,12% - Periogard(r) (S5), Enxaguatório bucal a base de óleos essenciais - Listerine(r) (S6), e óleo essencial de Rosmarinus officinalis (alecrim) nas concentrações 1% (S7) e 2% (S8). A atividade antifúngica foi avaliada por meio da técnica de difusão em ágar e da determinação da curva de morte microbiana de amostras de C. albicans (ATCC 90028) na concentração 1,5×106 UFC/mL. Os testes foram realizados em triplicata e a análise estatística se deu pelos testes ANOVA Two-Way e Tukey, sendo adotado nível de confiança de 95%. Resultado: A média dos halos de inibição do crescimento, em milímetros, obtidos para os produtos foram: 0,0 (S1); 44,7 (S2); 0,0 (S3); 21,6 (S4); 10,0 (S5); 6,1 (S6); 0,0 (S7) e 2,4 (S8). Para curva de morte microbiana, todos os produtos apresentaram diferença estatisticamente significante (p<0,05) do grupo controle (cloreto de sódio 0,85%) e do grupo S3. Verificou-se crescimento fúngico inferior a 2×104 UFC/mL e acentuação na curva de morte microbiana após 30 minutos de ação, a exceção do grupo S3. Conclusão: As substâncias analisadas, a exceção do Bicarbonato de Sódio, possuem ação antifúngica frente C. albicans, podendo contribuir para higienização de prótese

SARS-CoV-2 shedding, infectivity, and evolution in an immunocompromised adult patient

This study aimed to provide further insight into the evolutionary dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 by analyzing the case of a 40-year-old man who had previously undergone autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation due to a diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. He developed a persistent SARS-CoV-2 infection lasting at least 218 days and did not manifest a humoral immune response to the virus during this follow-up period. Whole-genome sequencing and viral cultures confirmed a persistent infection with a replication-positive virus that had undergone genetic variation for at least 196 days after symptom onset

Community-Based Learning and critical community psychology practice: conducive and corrosive aspects

YesCommunity-Based Learning (CBL) has been more recently introduced into some psychology programmes in the UK than in the USA, where it has existed for a number of decades in the form of ‘service learning’. CBL holds promise as a means of promoting and developing critical community psychology practice, but there are risks involved in its acritical adoption in the psychology curriculum. If associated power dynamics are not considered, CBL has the capacity to serve neoliberal interests and perpetuate, rather than challenge, oppressive social relations. This article examines ways in which CBL can be both conducive and corrosive to critical community psychology practice. Drawing on interdisciplinary literature, it explores ways in which students participating in CBL can be vulnerable to exploitation – both as victims and perpetrators – through collusion and cultural voyeurism. Consideration is given to ways of resisting institutional and other pressures to comply uncritically with the demands of the ‘employability agenda’. These include the importance of facilitated reflective processes in associated modules, to consider aspects of the interactions of people and systems. The article concludes that whilst CBL is inherently risky and involves discomfort for students, this enables development of a more informed consciousness where truly participatory work evolves towards greater social justice

Non-Detection of Human Herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) DNA in HHV-8-Seropositive Blood Donors from Three Brazilian Regions

Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8), also known as Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), is the etiologic agent of all forms of Kaposi's sarcoma, primary effusion lymphoma and the plasmablastic cell variant of multicentric Castleman disease. In endemic areas of sub-Saharan Africa, blood transfusions have been associated with a substantial risk of HHV-8 transmission. By contrast, several studies among healthy blood donors from North America have failed to detect HHV-8 DNA in samples of seropositive individuals. In this study, using a real-time PCR assay, we investigated the presence of HHV-8 DNA in whole-blood samples of 803 HHV-8 blood donors from three Brazilian states (São Paulo, Amazon, Bahia) who tested positive for HHV-8 antibodies, in a previous multicenter study. HHV-8 DNA was not detected in any sample. Our findings do not support the introduction of routine HHV-8 screening among healthy blood donors in Brazil. (WC = 140)

Characterization of Torquetenovirus in amniotic fluid at the time of in utero fetal surgery: correlation with early premature delivery and respiratory distress

Torquetenovirus (TTV) is a commensal virus present in many healthy individuals. Although considered to be non-pathogenic, its presence and titer have been shown to be indicative of altered immune status in individuals with chronic infections or following allogeneic transplantations. We evaluated if TTV was present in amniotic fluid (AF) at the time of in utero surgery to correct a fetal neurological defect, and whether its detection was predictive of adverse post-surgical parameters. AF was collected from 27 women by needle aspiration prior to a uterine incision. TTV titer in the AF was measured by isolation of viral DNA followed by gene amplification and analysis. The TTV genomes were further characterized and sequenced by metagenomics. Pregnancy outcome parameters were subsequently obtained by chart review. Three of the AFs (11.1%) were positive for TTV at 3.36, 4.16, and 4.19 log10 copies/mL. Analysis of their genomes revealed DNA sequences similar to previously identified TTV isolates. Mean gestational age at delivery was &gt;2  weeks earlier (32.5 vs. 34.6  weeks) and the prevalence of respiratory distress was greater (100% vs. 20.8%) in the TTV-positive pregnancies. TTV detection in AF prior to intrauterine surgery may indicate elevated post-surgical risk for earlier delivery and newborn respiratory distress

CMS physics technical design report : Addendum on high density QCD with heavy ions

Peer reviewe

Contracepção hormonal e lesões cervicais pelo Papilomavírus Humano: uma revisão de literatura / Hormonal contraception and cervical injuries by Human Papillomavirus: a literature review

Introdução: A infecção pelo papilomavírus humano (HPV) é a doença sexualmente transmissível (DST) mais comum, afetando 50% da população mundial. Estima-se que entre 75 e 80% da de indivíduos sexualmente ativos adquirirão algum subtipo de HPV ao longo da vida. No Brasil, a taxa de prevalência de HPV varia de 13,7 a 54,3%, de acordo com a população e as regiões estudadas. Assim, este artigo tem como objetivo analisar a associação entre os hormônios contracepção e o aparecimento de lesões induzidas por HPV em o colo uterino. Metodologia: O presente estudo foi elaborado por meio de uma pesquisa bibliográfica, realizada eletronicamente, procurando registros sobre o desenvolvimento de lesões induzidas por HPV em colo uterino e hormônios de contracepção. Objetivando com isso identificar através da literatura a associação entre os hormônios de contracepção e o aparecimento de lesões induzidas por HPV em colo uterino. Para a realização do mesmo foram analisados artigos publicados em revistas científicas, utilizando as bases de dados da BVS (Biblioteca Virtual da Saúde), como: Lilacs (Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde) e Scielo (Scientific Electronic Library Online). Resultados: Após a seleção, restaram nove artigos para a discussão. Podemos observar os artigos escolhidos no quadro, composto pelos autores, título, metodologia, resultados e conclusão que cada um encontrou. Em seguida foi realizada uma discussão acerca destes artigos. Conclusão: Muitos estudos relataram que os mecanismos envolvidos na persistência e incidência de lesões de HPV estão longe de ser esclarecidas, e que novas estudos são necessários para elucidar melhores abordagens em relação ao tipo de contracepção, via de administração e doses hormonal que não estão associadas a lesões induzidas por HPV