Helicobacter pylori transiently in the mouth may participate in the transmission of infection

Helicobacter pylori infection is associated with peptic ulcer and gastric carcinoma. The oral cavity may be a reservoir for H. pylori; however, the results of studies on this subject are controversial. We employed single-step and nested polymerase chain reactions (PCR) to detect the presence of the vacA, ureA and 16S rDNA genes of H. pylori in the stomach, saliva and dental plaque of 30 subjects. The results were confirmed by sequencing. Nested 16S rDNA and ureA amplification was achieved in 80% of gastric, 30% of saliva and 20% of dental plaque specimens. Sequencing of 10, seven and four 16S rDNA products from stomach, saliva and dental plaque, respectively, showed > 99% identity with H. pylori. Sequencing of the other four oral cavity PCR products showed similarity with Campylobacter and Wolinella species. Additionally, the vacA genotype identified in the samples of different sites was the same within a given subject.H. pylori may be found in the oral cavity of patients with gastric infection, thus it could be a source of transmission. However, results obtained with detection methods based only on PCR should be interpreted with caution because other microorganisms that are phylogenetically very close to H. pylori are also present in the mouth.

Feeding behavior of Triatoma vitticeps (Reduviidae: Triatominae) in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil

The objective of this study was to evaluate the feeding behavior of Triatoma vitticeps through the identification of its food sources and the characterization of the blood ingestion process. In addition, we aimed to verify if the saliva of this vector interferes with the perception of the host during the feedings by creating a nervous impulse. Here, we demonstrated that the T. vitticeps saliva reduces, gradually and irreversibly, the amplitude of the compound action potential of the nervous fibre, which helps decrease the perception of the insect by the host. The precipitin reaction demonstrated the feeding eclecticism of this vector, with the identification of eight food sources - most of them found simultaneously in the same insect. The analysis of the electrical signals produced by the cibarial pump during meals demonstrated that the best feeding performance of T. vitticeps nymphs that fed on pigeons is mainly due to the higher contraction frequency of the pump. The longer contact period with the host to obtain a complete meal compared with other triatominae species of the same instar could favor the occurrence of multiple blood sources in T. vitticeps under natural conditions, as it was evidenced by the precipitin test.

Characterisation of divergent flavivirus NS3 and NS5 protein sequences detected in Rhipicephalus microplus ticks from Brazil

Transcripts similar to those that encode the nonstructural (NS) proteins NS3 and NS5 from flaviviruses were found in a salivary gland (SG) complementary DNA (cDNA) library from the cattle tick Rhipicephalus microplus.Tick extracts were cultured with cells to enable the isolation of viruses capable of replicating in cultured invertebrate and vertebrate cells. Deep sequencing of the viral RNA isolated from culture supernatants provided the complete coding sequences for the NS3 and NS5 proteins and their molecular characterisation confirmed similarity with the NS3 and NS5 sequences from other flaviviruses. Despite this similarity, phylogenetic analyses revealed that this potentially novel virus may be a highly divergent member of the genus Flavivirus. Interestingly, we detected the divergent NS3 and NS5 sequences in ticks collected from several dairy farms widely distributed throughout three regions of Brazil. This is the first report of flavivirus-like transcripts inR. microplus ticks. This novel virus is a potential arbovirus because it replicated in arthropod and mammalian cells; furthermore, it was detected in a cDNA library from tick SGs and therefore may be present in tick saliva. It is important to determine whether and by what means this potential virus is transmissible and to monitor the virus as a potential emerging tick-borne zoonotic pathogen.

Padrão atípico de secreção de cortisol em profissionais de Enfermagem

RESUMO Objetivo Descrever a frequência de profissionais de enfermagem de unidades hospitalares com alteração no padrão diurno de secreção de cortisol. Método Foram incluídos 56 profissionais de enfermagem randomicamente selecionados, alocados nas unidades ambulatório, clínica médica, clínica cirúrgica, centro cirúrgico, pronto socorro infantil e adulto, unidade de terapia intensiva adulto e pediátrica de um hospital universitário. Para avaliação do padrão diurno de secreção de cortisol foram coletadas amostras de saliva em dois dias úteis consecutivos de trabalho. Resultados 42,5% dos profissionais de enfermagem apresentaram padrão atípico de secreção de cortisol. Além disso, quanto maior o tempo de trabalho na profissão, maior a concentração de cortisol (r=0,346; p=0,020). Conclusão Mais de um terço da amostra de profissionais de enfermagem apresentou padrões atípicos de secreção de cortisol, sugerindo que estes profissionais podem estar expostos a uma sobrecarga não apenas mental, mas biológica, estando expostos ao risco para o adoecimento por doenças relacionadas ao estresse.

Níveis de fósforo para caprinos: perda endógena fecal e exigência líquida para mantença

Foram utilizados, no experimento, nove caprinos machos castrados, da raça Alpina, em dois períodos. Os animais permaneceram 28 dias em dieta experimental composta de feno e concentrado, sem suplementação de P, ou com 1g ou 2 g de P, na forma de fosfato bicálcico. No 21º dia os animais receberam injeção de 7,4 MBq de 32P na jugular, e coletaram-se amostras de sangue, fezes e urina, por sete dias, com o objetivo de avaliar o metabolismo do P. O aumento do consumo de P levou a aumento linear significativo do P excretado nas fezes, do P absorvido, do P endógeno fecal, da eficiência de absorção, e dos teores de P nas fezes e no plasma. O aumento do P endógeno fecal (Y) em função do consumo de P (X) pode ser descrito pela equação Y= 10,36 + 0,58X (r=0,94); a perda endógena mínima desses animais foi de 10,36 mg/kg de peso vivo/dia. A eficiência de absorção média foi de 65,76% para os animais suplementados. O teor de P na saliva não apresentou relação linear significativa com o P consumido, e não houve excreção de P pela urina.

Mechanical damage in cotton buds caused by the boll weevil

The boll weevil (Anthonomus grandis Boheman) causes high levels of bud abscission in cotton plants due to feeding or oviposition punctures. It has been reported that abscission is mainly due to enzymes present in the insect's saliva, but mechanical damage could also contribute to square abscission. The objective of this paper was to undertake an analysis of the morphological damages caused by the insect in cotton squares using microscopy. Anthers and ovules are the main target of boll weevil feeding. The process initiates by perforation of young sepal and petal tissues and proceeds with subsequent alimentation on stamen and ovary leading to abscission of floral structures.

Extração sortiva em barra de agitação para análise de fármacos em fluidos biológicos

A novel solventless sample preparation, stir-bar sorptive extraction (SBSE), for extraction, and sample enrichment of organic compounds from biological fluids, is described in this manuscript from principle to applications. The SBSE is based on sorptive extraction, whereby the compounds are extracted into a polymer coating, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), on a magnetic stirring rod. The extraction is controlled by the partitioning coefficient of drugs between the PDMS and sample matrix, and upon the sample-extraction medium phase ratio. The SBSE technique has been applied successfully, with high sensitivities, to biomedical analysis of volatiles and for semi-volatiles drugs from biological sample, including urine, plasma, and saliva. SBSE combined with in situ derivatization, drugs quite more polar (e.g. metabolites) also can be analyzed.

On-line preconcentration system using a microcolumn packed with Alizarin Red S-modified alumina for zinc determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry

A simple and sensitive on-line flow injection system for determination of zinc with FAAS has been described. The method is based on the separation and preconcentration of zinc on a microcolumn of immobilized Alizarin Red S on alumina. The adsorbed analyte is then eluted with 250 µL of nitric acid (1 mol L-1) and is transported to flame atomic absorption spectrometer for quantification. The effect of pH, sample and eluent flow rates and presence of various cations and anions on the retention of zinc was investigated. The sorption of zinc was quantitative in the pH range of 5.5-8.5. For a sample volume of 25 mL an enrichment factor of 144 and a detection limit (3S) of 0.2 µg L-1 was obtained. The precision (RSD, n=7) was 3.0% at the 20 µg L-1 level. The developed system was successfully applied to the determination of zinc in water samples, hair, urine and saliva.

Corrosion resistance improvement of titanium base alloys

The corrosion resistance of the new Ti-6Al-4V-1Zr alloy in comparison with ternary Ti-6Al-4V alloy in Ringer-Brown solution and artificial Carter-Brugirard saliva of different pH values was studied. In Ringer-Brown solution, the new alloy presented an improvement of all electrochemical parameters due to the alloying with Zr; also, impedance spectra revealed better protective properties of its passive layer. In Carter-Brugirard artificial saliva, an increase of the passive film thickness was proved. Fluoride ions had a slight negative influence on the corrosion and ion release rates, without to affect the very good stability of the new Ti-6Al-4V-1Zr alloy.

Development of an optical redox chemical sensor for nitrite determination

An optical chemical sensor for the determination of nitrite based on incorporating methyltrioctylammonium chloride as an anionic exchanger on the triacetylcellulose polymer has been reported. The response of the sensor is based on the redox reaction between nitrite in aqueous solution and iodide adsorbed on sensing membrane using anion exchange phenomena. The sensing membrane reversibly responses to nitrite ion over the range of 6.52×10-6 - 8.70×10-5 mol L-1 with a detection limit of 6.05×10-7 mol L-1 (0.03 µg mL-1) and response time of 6 min. The relative standard deviation for eight replicate measurements of 8.70×10-6 and 4.34×10-5 mol L-1 of nitrite was 4.4 and 2.5 %, respectively. The sensor was successfully applied for determination of nitrite in food, saliva and water samples.

Extração/pré-concentração de íons cobre no ponto nuvem explorando a formação de complexos com DMIT [4,5-dimercapto-1,3-ditiol-2-tionato]

The present study proposes a method for cloud point preconcentration of copper ions at pH 2.0 based on complexes formed with [4,5-dimercapto-1,3-dithyol-2-thionate] and subsequent determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). Under optimal analytical conditions, the method provided limits of detection of 0.84 and 0.45 µg L-1, by preconcentrating 12.0 and 24.0 mL of sample, respectively. The method was applied for copper determination in water samples, synthetic saliva, guarana powder, tea samples and soft drinks and the accuracy was assessed by analyzing the certified reference materials Dogfish Liver (DOLT-4) and Lobster Hepatopancreas (TORT-2).

Estudo comparativo entre as anastomoses cervicais esofagogástrica término-terminal com e sem invaginação após esofagectomia para câncer

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a incidência de fístula e estenose da anastomose esofagogástrica cervical com invaginação do coto esofágico no interior do estômago na esofagectomia para tratamento do carcinoma do esôfago. MÉTODOS: Foram estudados dois grupos de doentes com carcinoma do esôfago torácico ou abdominal submetidos à esofagectomia subtotal e esofagogastroplastia. O grupo I (estudo) foi constituído por 29 doentes operados no período de 1998 a 2007, no qual foi realizada a anastomose esofagogástrica cervical com invaginação de segmento do coto esofágico no interior do estômago. O grupo II (controle) foi constituído por 36 doentes operados no período de 1989 a 1997 submetidos à anastomose esfagogástrica cervical término-terminal sem invaginação. RESULTADOS: No grupo I, 3 (10,3%) doentes apresentaram fístula da anastomose esofagogástrica com repercussão clínica mínima. No grupo II observou-se fístula com franca saída de saliva em 11 (30,5%) doentes. A freqüência de fístula nos doentes do grupo I foi significantemente menor (p=0,04) do que nos do grupo II. No grupo I, estenose fibrótica da anastomose ocorreu em 7 (24,1%) enfermos, ao passo que no grupo II 10 (27,7%) evoluíram com estenose, não se constatando diferença significante (p=0,72) entre esses grupos. CONCLUSÃO: No tratamento do carcinoma do esôfago, a esofagectomia com anastomose esofagogástrica cervical com invaginação do coto esofágico no interior do estômago determina menor ocorrência de fístula esofagogástrica quando comparado à anastomose sem invaginação. A incidência de estenose da anastomose esofagogástrica não diferiu em ambos os grupos.

Presença de Candida nas mucosas vaginal e bucal e sua relação com IgA salivar

OBJETIVO: correlacionar a presença de leveduras do gênero Candida na cavidade bucal e vaginal de mulheres com e sem candidíase vulvovaginal (CVV) com os níveis de IgA secretora (IgAs) presentes na saliva. MÉTODOS: cinqüenta e uma mulheres foram incluídas; 13 apresentaram CVV e 38 formaram o Grupo Controle. De cada paciente, foram coletados 2,0 mL de saliva sem estimulação e secreção vaginal com o auxílio de swab, que foi imerso a seguir em 2,0 mL de solução fisiológica. As amostras foram semeadas em ágar Sabouraud dextrose com cloranfenicol para isolamento e contagem de colônias, e os isolados foram identificadas fenotipicamente. Na saliva de ambos os grupos foi quantificada IgA pela técnica ELISA. RESULTADOS: nas 13 pacientes com diagnóstico clínico e micológico de CVV, a média de unidades formadoras de colônias de Candida por mililitro de secreção vaginal (ufc/mL) foi de 52.723 e 23,8% dos pacientes apresentaram colonização na mucosa bucal com menor quantidade de ufc/mL (6.030). Os níveis de IgAs na saliva foram mais baixos no grupo com CVV (média de densidade: 0,3) quando comparados aos níveis de IgA do Grupo Controle (média de DO: 0,6). Onze pacientes (37%) do Grupo Controle apresentaram colonização por Candida na cavidade bucal, com média de ufc/mL mais baixa quando comparada ao grupo com CVV. O Grupo Controle também apresentou menor quantidade de ufc/mL (1.973) na cavidade vaginal quando comparado com o Grupo CVV (52.942). CONCLUSÕES: os resultados demonstraram que os pacientes com diagnóstico clínico de candidíase vulvovaginal apresentaram maior quantidade de Candida, tanto na cavidade vaginal quanto na bucal, e apresentaram menores níveis de IgA anti-Candida na saliva.

Queilite angular traumática em eqüinos associada à ingestão de Panicum maximum

Uma condição com aumento da fenda bucal de eqüinos por lesão na comissura labial foi estudada. Este aumento tinha extensão variável e era uni ou bilateral. Na mucosa da bochecha da comissura labial exposta havia pequenas erosões. Durante a mastigação havia perda de pequena quantidade de capim e saliva pela fenda bucal aumentada. Os animais apresentavam bom estado nutricional. O exame histopatológico de tecido retirado da comissura labial revelou epidermite superficial. Nas quatro propriedades onde se verificou o problema, constatou-se que os eqüinos eram mantidos em sistema extensivo de criação em pastagem de Panicum maximum (variedades Tanzânia, Mombaça, Tobiatã e Colonião), com folhas maduras, altas, lignificadas e de bordos cortantes. De acordo com os dados epidemiológicos, com os achados clínicos e histopatológicos, concluí-se que essas lesões foram causadas pela ação cortante das folhas de Panicum maximum, associada à forma de apreensão da pastagem alta e mastigação pelos eqüinos.

The relationship between salivary cortisol concentrations and anxiety in adolescent and non-adolescent pregnant women

The main purpose of the present study was to determine the relationship between salivary cortisol concentrations and self-report anxiety in 50 adolescent and 178 non-adolescent women during the last month of pregnancy. The subjects were randomly selected from a previous study involving women who attended antenatal care from September 1997 to August 2000 at 17 health services in Southeast Brazil. Salivary cortisol was measured with an enzyme immunoassay kit, and anxiety was assessed by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventories (STAI) of Spielberger. After saliva collection, the participants completed the STAI. Mean concentrations of cortisol for both pregnant adolescents (14.17 ± 6.78 nmol/l) and non-adolescents (13.81 ± 8.51 nmol/l) were similar (P = 0.89). Forty-three percent of the pregnant adolescents and 30.5% of the non-adolescents felt anxious at the time of being questioned (State Anxiety Inventory (SAI) scores >40; P = 0.06). Cortisol concentrations in adolescents were negatively related to the SAI scores (r = -0.39; P = 0.01) which assess a temporary condition of anxiety. There was a statistically significant difference in mean cortisol concentrations between adolescents with low (<=40) and high (>40) SAI scores (P = 0.03, t-test), but no differences for non-adolescents. The negative relationship between salivary cortisol concentrations and anxiety scores in adolescents may be due to puberty-related hormone differences during this period of life. Pregnant adolescents may possess unique biological or psychological characteristics compared to adults and non-pregnant adolescents. Thus, we need to know more about the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis of pregnant adolescents.