Does anti-hepatitis B virus vaccine make any difference in long-term number of liver transplantation?

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Chronic hepatitis B infection is associated with an increased risk of cirrhosis, hepatic decompensation, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Our aim is to analyze, through a mathematical model, the potential impact of anti-HBV vaccine in the long-term (that is, decades after vaccination) number of LT. Methods: The model simulated that the prevalence of HBV infection was 0.5% and that approximately 20% of all the liver transplantation carried out in the state of Sao Paulo are due to HBV infection. Results: The theoretical model suggests that a vaccination program that would cover 80% of the target population would reach a maximum of about 14% reduction in the LT program. Conclusion: Increasing the vaccination coverage against HBV in the state of Sao Paulo would have a relatively low impact on the number of liver transplantation. In addition, this impact would take several decades to materialize due to the long incubation period of liver failure due to HBV.

Relation between Tcc,bb and Xc,b from QCD.

We have studied, using double ratio of QCD (spectral) sum rules, the ratio between the masses of Tcc and X(3872) assuming that they are respectively described by the D−D∗ and D− ¯D∗ molecular currents. We found (within our approximation) that the masses of these two states are almost degenerate. Since the pion exchange interaction between these mesons is exactly the same, we conclude that if the observed X(3872) meson is a D ¯D∗ + c.c. molecule, then the DD∗ molecule should also exist with approximately the same mass. An extension of the analysis to the b-quark case leads to the same conclusion. We also study the SU(3) breakings for the T s Q Q /TQ Q mass ratios. Motivated by the recent Belle observation of two Zb states, we revise our determination of Xb by combining results from exponential and FESR sum rules.

Voriconazole, Combined with Amphotericin B, in the Treatment for Pulmonary Cryptococcosis Caused by C. neoformans (Serotype A) in Mice with Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID)

Cryptococcosis is a subacute or chronic systemic mycosis with a cosmopolitan nature, caused by yeast of the genus Cryptococcus neoformans. The model of systemic cryptococcosis in mice with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) is useful for immunological and therapeutic study of the disease in immunodeficient hosts. Amphotericin B, fluconazole and flucytosine are the drugs most commonly used to treat cryptococcosis. Voriconazole is a triazole with high bioavailability, large distribution volume, and excellent penetration of the central nervous system. The objective of this study was to evaluate treatment with amphotericin B (AMB), voriconazole (VRC), and AMB, used in combination with VRC, of experimental pulmonary cryptococcosis in a murine model (SCID). The animals were inoculated intravenously (iv) with a solution containing 3.0 x 10(5) viable cells of C. neoformans ATCC 90112, (serotype A). Treatments were performed with amphotericin B (1.5 mg/kg/day), voriconazole (40.0 mg/kg/day) and AMB (1.5 mg/kg/day) combined with VRC (40.0 mg/kg/day); began 1 day after the initial infection; were daily; and lasted 15 days. Evaluations were performed using analysis of the survival curve and isolation of yeast in the lung tissue. There was a significant increase in survival in groups treated with AMB combined with VRC, compared with the untreated group and groups receiving other treatments (P < 0.05). In the group treated only with VRC and AMB combined with VRC, there was a significant reduction (P < 0.05) in the isolation of C. neoformans in lung tissue. Amphotericin B combined with voriconazole may be an effective alternative to increasing survival and may reduce yeast in the lung tissue of mice with pulmonary cryptococcosis and SCID.

Exotic B-c-like molecules in QCD sum rules

We use the QCD sum rules to study possible B-c-like molecular states. We consider isoscalar J(P) = 0(+) and J(P) = 1(+) D(*) B(*) molecular currents. We consider the contributions of condensates up to dimension eight and we work at leading order in alpha(s). We obtain for these states masses around 7 GeV. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Role of Coulomb and nuclear breakups in the interaction of B-8 with C-12

We investigate the breakup of the proton halo B-8 projectile in the presence of the light target C-12 at near barrier energies. Our calculations show that the effect of the breakup on the elastic scattering angular distributions is negligible. We also investigate the relative importance of Coulomb and nuclear breakups for this system. We compare the results of our calculations with those for the He-6 + C-12 and B-8 Ni-58 systems. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Cellular Infiltrates and NF kappa B Subunit c-Rel Signaling in Kidney Allografts of Patients With Clinical Operational Tolerance

Background. Nuclear factor kappa B (NF kappa B) plays a potential role in tolerance by orchestrating onset and resolution of inflammation and regulatory T cell differentiation through subunit c-Rel. We characterized cellular infiltrates and expression of NF kappa B1, c-Rel and its upstream regulators phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/RAC-alpha serine/threonine kinase, in allograft biopsies from patients with spontaneous clinical operational tolerance (COT). Methods. Paraffin-fixed kidney allograft biopsies from 40 patients with COT (n=4), interstitial rejection (IR; n=12), borderline changes (BC; n=12), and long-term allograft function without rejection (NR; n=12) were used in the study. Cellular infiltrates and immunohistochemical expression of key proteins of the NF kappa B pathway were evaluated in the cortical tubulointerstitium and in cellular infiltrates using digital image analysis software. Results were given as mean +/- SEM. Results. Biopsies from patients with COT exhibited a comparable amount of cellular infiltrate to IR, BC, and NR (COT, 191 +/- 81; IR, 291 +/- 62; BC, 178 +/- 45; and NR, 210 +/- 42 cells/mm(2)) but a significantly higher proportion of forkhead box P3-positive cells (COT, 11%+/- 1.7%; IR, 3.5%+/- 0.70%; BC, 3.4%+/- 0.57%; and NR, 3.7%+/- 0.78% of infiltrating cells; P=0.02). c-Rel expression in cellular infiltrates was significantly elevated in IR, BC, and NR when analyzing the number of positive cells per mm(2) (P=0.02) and positive cells per infiltrating cells (P=0.04). In contrast, tubular PI3K and c-Rel expression were significantly higher in IR and BC but not in NR compared with COT (P=0.03 and P=0.006, respectively). With RAC-alpha serine-threonine kinase, similar tendencies were observed (P=0.2). Conclusions. Allografts from COT patients show significant cellular infiltrates but a distinct expression of proteins involved in the NF kappa B pathway and a higher proportion of forkhead box P3-positive cells.

Silicon location through backscattered electron imaging and X-ray microanalysis in leaves of Cyperus ligularis L. and Rhynchospora aberrans C. B. Clarke (Cyperaceae)

(Silicon location through backscattered electron imaging and X-ray microanalysis in leaves of Cyperus ligularis L. and Rhynchospora aberrans C. B. Clarke (Cyperaceae)). The Cyperaceae show the ability to incorporate silicon by depositing colloidal silica, which is recorded by the occurrence of projections in the form of cones, in inner tangential walls of some epidermal cells or "silica cells". Leaves of C. ligularis and R. aberrans were analyzed through the technique of electron backscatter. Cyperus ligularis accumulates silica, in addition to "silica cells", in some stomata, trichomes and the cell walls that surround the cavities of the aerenchyma. The silica in the latter occurs in various forms; however, the cells located near the vascular bundles have conical projections, similar to those of the epidermis. Rhynchospora aberrans presents "silica cells" whose projections have tapered "satellites". In this species, silica also occurs in stomata and certain epidermal cells adjacent to them. It appears that the silicon deposition occurs in combination with the wall (with no apparent structural changes), and structures of secretion, or projections of the wall. These structural changes in the species, and location, are probably related to functional and environmental factors, especially the soil, in addition to relation with taxonomic groups.

Prevalence and risk factors of Hepatitis C virus infection in Brazil, 2005 through 2009: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Hepatitis C chronic liver disease is a major cause of liver transplant in developed countries. This article reports the first nationwide population-based survey conducted to estimate the seroprevalence of HCV antibodies and associated risk factors in the urban population of Brazil. Methods The cross sectional study was conducted in all Brazilian macro-regions from 2005 to 2009, as a stratified multistage cluster sample of 19,503 inhabitants aged between 10 and 69 years, representing individuals living in all 26 State capitals and the Federal District. Hepatitis C antibodies were detected by a third-generation enzyme immunoassay. Seropositive individuals were retested by Polymerase Chain Reaction and genotyped. Adjusted prevalence was estimated by macro-regions. Potential risk factors associated with HCV infection were assessed by calculating the crude and adjusted odds ratios, 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) and p values. Population attributable risk was estimated for multiple factors using a case–control approach. Results The overall weighted prevalence of hepatitis C antibodies was 1.38% (95% CI: 1.12%–1.64%). Prevalence of infection increased in older groups but was similar for both sexes. The multivariate model showed the following to be predictors of HCV infection: age, injected drug use (OR = 6.65), sniffed drug use (OR = 2.59), hospitalization (OR = 1.90), groups socially deprived by the lack of sewage disposal (OR = 2.53), and injection with glass syringe (OR = 1.52, with a borderline p value). The genotypes 1 (subtypes 1a, 1b), 2b and 3a were identified. The estimated population attributable risk for the ensemble of risk factors was 40%. Approximately 1.3 million individuals would be expected to be anti-HCV-positive in the country. Conclusions The large estimated absolute numbers of infected individuals reveals the burden of the disease in the near future, giving rise to costs for the health care system and society at large. The known risk factors explain less than 50% of the infected cases, limiting the prevention strategies. Our findings regarding risk behaviors associated with HCV infection showed that there is still room for improving strategies for reducing transmission among drug users and nosocomial infection, as well as a need for specific prevention and control strategies targeting individuals living in poverty.

Primary diffuse large B-cell lymphoma or lymphomatoid granulomatosis grade 3: a still-puzzling diagnosis in autopsy

Primary lung lymphoma is a rare entity accounting for approximately 0.3% of all primary neoplasia of the lung and includes diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBL) and lymphomatoid granulomatosis (LYG). Considering that clinical features may be similar, whereas epidemiology, morphology, and radiological features are different, the authors report a case of a middle-aged man who presented multiple pulmonary nodules in the lower lobes and groundglass opacities scattered bilaterally on computed tomography. Clinically, he presented a consumptive syndrome with respiratory failure and pleurisy, which progressed until death. The autopsy findings were consistent with lymphomatoid granulomatosis (LYG) grade 3/ diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBL). The authors call attention to the difficulty of establishing an accurate diagnosis, mainly when the demonstration of EBV-infected atypical B-cells fails.