Environmental exposure to lead and hematological parameters in Afro-Brazilian children living near artisanal glazed pottery workshops

This study aimed to evaluate the exposure to environmental lead (Pb) of children from a traditional community of African descent in Brazil and the effects on hematological parameters. Children (n = 75) aged 5.5-13 years from the exposed areas classified as low (LEx) and moderately (MEx) exposed were compared with children (n = 75) of a control group (CG). Dust Pb loading rates (RtPbs) at children's homes were measured. Peripheral venous blood samples were collected to assess Pb biomarkers of exposure and effects. All Pb determinations were performed by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. The median (IQR) of RtPb, PbB level, and ALA-D activity were 65 (25-137) μgPb/m²/30 days, 1.0 (0.1-2.8) μg/dL, and 71 (55-86) U/L, respectively. Spearman correlation evidenced the relationship of PbB with RtPb (rho = 0.368, P < 0.001) and ALA-D activity (rho = -0.587; P ˂ 0.001). After adjusting for exposure degree and child's age, a decline of 7.4 U/L in ALA-D activity was associated with a 10-fold increase in PbB. The prevalence ratio of elevated PbB (>5 μg/dL) in LEx and MEx areas were 1.5 and 3.7, respectively. Indoor dust exposure, living near pottery workshops and the secondary exposure were the main determinants of elevated PbB levels, which were associated with hematological effects.

School meals' centesimal and mineral composition and their nutritional value for Brazilian children

The assessment of meals served under the Brazilian National School Meal Program (PNAE) is an important tool to verify its adequacy to the proposed parameters and the nutritional needs of school-aged children. The aim of this study was to evaluate the centesimal and mineral composition of the meals offered by the program and adequacy to the nutritional recommendations in three municipalities of the state of Bahia, Brazil. Centesimal composition of meals was determined according to the reference guidelines and mineral composition was analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometry. Non-parametric analysis of variance was used to test the differences of the medians among the municipalities and Student-t test to compare the means between the two sampling periods. There were inadequacies in the carbohydrate, lipid and protein contents, and none of the municipalities reached the recommendation of 20%. Mineral concentration, especially Fe, Se, Cu and K were much lower than expected. Sodium levels were three-folds higher than the recommended, being worrisome due to higher risk of elevated blood pressure. There were inadequacies with regard to the PNAE guidelines, and there is a need to reevaluate the meals that are being offered to better meet childreńs needs and to form healthy habits from childhood.

Retentores Intraradiculares Estéticos Fabricados por CAD/CAM: Resistência à Fratura e à União Após Fadiga

Os objetivos do estudo foram avaliar a resistência à fratura (RF) após fadiga e a resistência de união ao push-out (RU) com e sem fadiga, em retentores intrarradiculares personalizados fabricados com diferentes materiais estéticos em CAD/CAM. Noventa dentes foram selecionados, preparados endodonticamente e submetidos ao preparo do espaço intraradicular. Os dentes foram distribuídos aleatoriamente em 3 grupos de acordo com o material do retentor: fibra de vidro experimental (FV) cerâmica híbrida Vita Enamic (CH) e resina composta nano cerâmica Lava Ultimate (RC). Os restentores foram fabricados em CAD/CAM e cimentados com cimento resinoso autoadesivo (Rely X U200). Um subgrupo de 30 espécimes (n10) foi submetido a fadiga (1.000.000 ciclos a       5 Hz) e, em seguida, ao ensaio de RF. Outro subgrupo com 60 espécimes foi submetido ao ensaio de RU, com e sem fadiga. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância (RF - ANOVA 1 fator RU - ANOVA 2 fatores) e teste de Tukey (a0,05). As médias de RF (N±DP) para os materiais foram 407,61±109,04 (FV), 414.52±83.95 (CH), and 621,38±100,35 (RC), com RC apresentando valores de RF significativamente superiores (p<0,05). Para RU, não houve diferença estatisticamente significante entre os materiais, com e sem fadiga (p>0,05). Pode-se concluir que o tipo de material utilizado para confecção do retentor personalizado influenciou significativamente na RF, mas não na RU dos espécimes. A realização da fadiga não influenciou na RU para os diferentes materiais.Palavras-chave: CAD-CAM. Pino Intrarradicular. Materiais Dentários.

Genetically distinct lineages of Salmonella Typhimurium ST313 and ST19 are present in Brazil

In sub-Saharan Africa, two genetically distinct lineages of multi-drug resistant non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) serovar Typhimurium sequence type 313 (ST313) are known to cause invasive disease among people. S. Typhimurium ST313 has evolved to become more human-adapted and is commonly isolated from systemic sites (eg., blood) from febrile patients in sub-Saharan Africa. Epidemiological studies indicate that S. Typhimurium is frequently isolated from systemic sites from human patients in Brazil, however, it is currently unknown if this pathogen has also evolved to become more invasive and human-adapted in this country. Here we determined genotypic and phenotypic divergence among clinical S. Typhimurium strains isolated from systemic and non-systemic sites from human patients in Brazil. We report that a subset (8/38, 20%) of epidemiologically diverse human clinical strains of S. Typhimurium recovered from systemic sites in Brazil show significantly higher intra-macrophage survival, indicating that this subset is likely more invasive. Using the whole genome sequencing and phylogenetic approaches, we identified S. Typhimurium ST313-lineage in Brazil that is genetically and phenotypically distinct from the known African ST313-lineages. We also report the identification of S. Typhimurium ST19-lineage in Brazil that is evolving similar to ST313 lineages from Africa but is genetically and phenotypically distinct from ST19-lineage commonly associated with the gastrointestinal disease worldwide. The identification of new S. Typhimurium ST313 and ST19 lineages responsible for human illnesses in Brazil warrants further epidemiological investigations to determine the incidence and spread of a genetically divergent population of this important human pathogen.

Characteristics of Quinolone Resistance in Salmonella spp. Isolates from the Food Chain in Brazil

Salmonella spp. is an important zoonotic pathogen related to foodborne diseases. Despite that quinolones/fluoroquinolones are considered a relevant therapeutic strategy against resistant isolates, the increase in antimicrobial resistance is an additional difficulty in controlling bacterial infections caused by Salmonella spp. Thus, the acquisition of resistance to quinolones in Salmonella spp. is worrisome to the scientific community along with the possibility of transmission of resistance through plasmids. This study investigated the prevalence of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) in Salmonella spp. and its association with fluoroquinolone susceptibility in Brazil. We evaluated 129 isolates, 39 originated from food of animal sources, and 14 from environmental samples and including 9 from animals and 67 from humans, which were referred to the National Reference Laboratory of Enteric Diseases (NRLEB/IOC/RJ) between 2009 and 2013. These samples showed a profile of resistance for the tested quinolones/fluoroquinolones. A total of 33 serotypes were identified; S. Typhimurium (63) was the most prevalent followed by S. Enteritidis (25). The disk diffusion test showed 48.8% resistance to enrofloxacin, 42.6% to ciprofloxacin, 39.53% to ofloxacin, and 30.2% to levofloxacin. According to the broth microdilution test, the resistance percentages were: 96.1% to nalidixic acid, 64.3% to enrofloxacin, 56.6% to ciprofloxacin, 34.1% to ofloxacin, and 30.2% to levofloxacin. Qnr genes were found in 15 isolates (8 qnrS, 6 qnrB, and 1 qnrD), and the aac(6′)-Ib gene in 23. The integron gene was detected in 67 isolates with the variable region between ±600 and 1000 bp. The increased detection of PMQR in Salmonella spp. is a serious problem in Public Health and must constantly be monitored. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis was performed to evaluated clonal profile among the most prevalent serovars resistant to different classes of quinolones. A total of 33 pulsotypes of S. Typhimurium were identified with a low percentage of genetic similarity (≤65%). This result demonstrates the presence of high diversity in the resistant clones evaluated in this study.

Antimicrobial susceptibility and serovars of salmonella circulating in commercial poultry carcasses and poultry products in Brazil

Antimicrobial resistance was evaluated for 12,582 strains of Salmonella isolated by public and private laboratories from commercial poultry carcasses and poultry products from different regions in Brazil between 2007 and 2011. These isolates were submitted unsolicited to the National Reference Laboratory for Bacterial Enteroinfections, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for conclusive antigenic characterization. The prevalent Salmonella enterica serogroups were O:4 (B) (28.9%), O:9 (D1) (22.3%), O:21 (L) (15.9%), and O:7 (C1) (14.3%); the most prevalent serovars were Enteritidis, Minnesota, Typhimurium, Schwarzengrund, and Mbandaka. The antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of 1,234 strains indicated that 54.5% were resistant to up to eight antimicrobial drugs. Multidrug resistance (three or more classes) was observed in 16.4% of the strains, with 190 distinct patterns. The results showed increased resistance to ampicillin (12.4 to 18.9%), tetracycline (≈ 15.2 to ≈ 18.9%), and gentamicin (f7.0 to ≈ 9.6%) during the study period. Decreased resistance to nitrofurans (61.9 to 9.2%), quinolones (44.4 to 15.5%), and folate inhibitors (11.7 to 7.2%) was observed. Resistance to third-generation cephalosporins was detected in 5.5% of the strains throughout the study period; resistance to fluoroquinolones has been observed in 0.3% of the strains since 2009. These findings highlight the importance of surveillance along the food chain for detection of altered patterns among foodborne zoonotic bacteria that are important to public health.

Physicochemical and sensory characteristics of milk from goats supplemented with castor or licuri oil

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of castor and licuri palm oils supplemented to milking goats on the physical, chemical, and sensory characteristics of milk. A double Latin square experimental design (5x5) using 10 confined crossbred Moxotó-Alpine goats was performed according to the following treatments: nonsupplemented (control), 3% castor oil, 5% castor oil, 3% licuri oil, and 5% licuri oil. Oils in each treatment were supplemented in the dry matter. Castor oil supplementation reduced the fat content and increased the lactose and density of milk. Considering the sensory analysis, a lower acceptability was observed for milk from goats supplemented with castor oil. On the other hand, licuri oil supplementation led to higher acceptability scores for flavor and odor of goat milk.

Floral preferences of a neotropical stingless bee, Melipona quadrifasciata Lepeletier (Apidae: Meliponina) in an urban forest fragment

Species of plants used by Melipona quadrifasciata Lepeletier for pollen and nectar gathering in an urban forest fragment were recorded in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Melipona quadrifasciata visited 22 out of 103 flowering plant species. The plant species belonged mainly to Myrtaceae, Asteraceae, and Convolvulaceae (64% of the visits). Melipona quadrifasciata tended to collect pollen or nectar each time, except for Myrtaceae species, from which both pollen and nectar were collected. Bee abundance at flowers did not significantly correlate to food availability (expressed by flowering plant richness). We found a relatively high similarity (50%) between plant species used by M. quadrifasciata, which was also found in studies carried out in São Paulo State. However, low similarity (17%) was found between the results of this study and those of another done in Bahia State, Brazil.

Risk factors for tubal sterilization regret, detectable before surgery

Brazil has one of the highest prevalence rates of female surgical sterilization in the world. At the same time there is an increased demand for sterilization reversal. In order to understand which women tend to later request reversal of the procedure, a case-control study was carried out comparing 216 women who requested reversal with sterilized women who did not, paired by year of surgery. The relative risk of requesting reversal for women sterilized before age 25 was 18 times that of women sterilized after age 29. The elevated risk remained even after controlling for a number of variables present at the time of surgery. Multiple regression analysis showed that request for reversal was associated with younger age, less information about the procedure, and fewer contraceptive methods known before sterilization. These results support the recommendation that women should be fully informed about the tubal ligation procedure and have access to other contraceptive options before being sterilized.

A decisão de abortar: processo e sentimentos envolvidos

No Brasil, o aborto provocado é considerado crime na maioria das vezes, razão pela qual existem poucos dados oficiais sobre o assunto. Pouco se sabe acerca das condições em que é praticado. A pesquisa em questão foi realizada para conhecer as características das mulheres que abortaram e estudar as razões pelas quais o fizeram e as condições em que isso ocorreu. Foi enviado a todas as funcionárias (7359) e alunas (2231) dos cursos de graduação de uma universidade paulista um questionário a ser auto-respondido e devolvido pelo correio. Acompanhava o questionário uma carta e um envelope resposta-comercial. Responderam ao questionário e o devolveram 27% das funcionárias e 42% das alunas. Dessas, 1314 funcionárias e 138 alunas tinham tido pelo menos uma gravidez. Os resultados apresentados neste trabalho correspondem a 465 dessas funcionárias e alunas que alguma vez pensaram em fazer aborto. Elas foram divididas em dois grupos, segundo a decisão tomada de faze-lo ou não. O objetivo foi analisar a associação de algumas características das mulheres com a decisão de fazer ou não um aborto e como se sentiram frente a essa decisão. A proporção de mulheres que abortou foi significativamente menor entre as casadas do que entre as que tinham engravidado em outro tipo de relacionamento. Mais mulheres que conversaram com amigo(a) e/ou marido/namorado/companheiro para decidir se fariam aborto o fizeram, comparadas com as que conversaram com parentes ou não conversaram com ninguém. Mais mulheres que disseram não estar preparadas para criar/educar uma criança abortaram, comparadas com as que deram outras razões. Quase metade das mulheres que abortaram disse que depois, se sentiu mal emocional ou fisicamente. Entre as que não fizeram o aborto, quase dois quintos deram como motivo para isso medo das conseqüências e falta de coragem. Do total de mulheres que não abortaram, mais de quatro quintos relataram ter-se sentido bem, feliz, aliviada e não arrependida disso. Concluiu-se que, na população estudada, os fatores emocionais e sociais tiveram peso significativo no processo de decisão das mulheres de fazer ou não o aborto.

[Current characteristics associated with a history of induced abortion]

For the purpose of analysing the association between selected current socio-demographic characteristics and the history of induced abortion, 138 students of a Brazilian university, who had been pregnant at least once, were studied. These students were identified from among the 937 who returned, by mail, a self-administered, anonymous questionnaire distributed to all the female undergraduates. The subjects were divided into two groups, those who had and those who did not have a history of induced abortion. It was found that the largest percentage of women who had already had an induced abortion were of less than 24 years of age, were not living in marital union, had no religious affiliation and no living children at the time of the study. Analysis by logistic regression showed that having no living children was the only current characteristic associated with having had an induced abortion.