Molecular analysis of three FUT3 gene single nucleotide polymorphisms and their relationship with the lewis erythrocytary phenotype in a human population of japanese-ancestry living in Tomé Açu, a town in the Brazilian Amazon

The Lewis blood group system involves two major antigens, Le^ª and Le^b. Their antigenic determinants are not primary gene products but are synthesized by the transfer of sugar subunits to a precursory chain by a specific enzyme which is the product of the FUT3 gene (Lewis gene). The presence of three FUT3 gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (59T > G; 508G > A and 1067T > A) was related to the Lewis phenotype of erythrocytes from 185 individuals of Japanese ancestry living in the town of Tomé-Açu in the Brazilian Amazon region. This relationship was detected using a serological hemagglutination test and the Dot-ELISA assay along with the molecular technique PCR-RFLP. We found that the three SNPs investigated in this study only accounted for a proportion of the Lewis-negative phenotype of the erythrocytes.

Immunodetection of Helicobacter sp. and the associated expression of ABO blood group antigens in the gastric mucosa of captive and free-living New World primates in the Amazon region

The histo-blood group ABH antigens were first described in humans. These antigens are only present on erythrocytes from great apes and humans, while in more primitive animals they are found in tissues and body fluids. The ABH antigens are mainly distributed in tissues exposed to the external environment and potentially serve as ligands for pathogens or inhibitors of tissue connections. The objective of this paper was two-fold: (i) to determine the presence of Helicobacter sp. in the gastric mucosa of 16 captive and 24 free-living New World monkeys and (ii) to evaluate the presence of histopathological alterations related to bacterial infection and the associated expression of ABH antigens in the tissue. Stomach tissues from 13 species of monkey were assessed using haematoxylin-eosin and modified Gram staining (Hucker) methods. An immunohistochemical analysis of the tissue revealed the presence of infectious bacteria that were characteristic of the genus Helicobacter sp. The results demonstrate that various species of monkey might be naturally infected with the Helicobacter sp. and that there is an increased susceptibility to infection. This study serves as a comparative analysis of infection between human and non-human primates and indicates the presence of a new species of Helicobacter.

Prevalence of human T cell leukemia virus-I (HTLV-I) antibody among populations living in the Amazon region of Brazil (preliminary report)

Prevalence of human T cell leukemia virus-I (HTLV-I) antibody among populations living in the Amazon region of Brazil (preliminary report)NakauchiC. M.LinharesA. C.MaruyamaK.KanzakiL. I.MacedoJ. E.AzevedoV. N.CassebJ. S. R. Fundação Serviços de Saúde Pública, Seção de Vírus, Instituto Evandro Chagas Belém Brasil Chiba Cancer Research Institute, Department of Pathology Chiba Japan Universidade Federal do Pará Belém Brasil Instituto Offir Loyola Belém Brasil Faculdade Estadual de Medicina Belém Brasil 0319908512933Forty-tree (31.4%) out of 137 serum samples obtained from two Indian communities living in the Amazon region were found to be positive for HTLV-I antibody, as tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Elisa). Eighty-two sera were collected from Mekranoiti Indians, yielding 39% of positivity, whereas 11 (20.0%) or the 55 Tiriyo serum samples had antibody to HTLV-I. In addition, positive results occurred in 10 (23.2%) out of 43 sera obtained from patients living in the Belem area, who were suffering from cancer affecting different organs. Five (16.7%) out of 30 Elisa positive specimens were also shown to be positive by either Western blot analysis (WB) or indirect immunogold electron microscopy (IIG-EM).

Molecular analysis of three FUT3 gene single nucleotide polymorphisms and their relationship with the lewis erythrocytary phenotype in a human population of japanese-ancestry living in Tomé Açu, a town in the Brazilian Amazon

The Lewis blood group system involves two major antigens, Le^a and Le^b. Their antigenic determinants are not primary gene products but are synthesized by the transfer of sugar subunits to a precursory chain by a specific enzyme which is the product of the FUT3 gene (Lewis gene). The presence of three FUT3 gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (59T > G; 508G > A and 1067T > A) was related to the Lewis phenotype of erythrocytes from 185 individuals of Japanese ancestry living in the town of Tomé-Açu in the Brazilian Amazon region. This relationship was detected using a serological hemagglutination test and the Dot-ELISA assay along with the molecular technique PCR-RFLP. We found that the three SNPs investigated in this study only accounted for a proportion of the Lewis-negative phenotype of the erythrocytes.

Vulnerability of women living with HIV/aids

OBJETIVO:traçar o perfil de mulheres vivendo com o vírus da imunodeficiência humana/Aids em municípios do interior do Estado de São Paulo, buscando-se identificar características relacionadas à vulnerabilidade individual, social e programática e analisar as condições em que tiveram conhecimento de seu status sorológico.MÉTODO:entre outubro de 2008 e dezembro de 2010, foi realizado estudo transversal, envolvendo 184 mulheres atendidas em serviço especializado. Os dados foram obtidos por entrevista e exame ginecológico, com coleta de amostras para diagnóstico etiológico de doenças sexualmente transmissíveis.RESULTADOS:predominaram mulheres brancas, entre 30 e 49 anos de idade, com companheiro, baixo nível escolar, múltiplos parceiros sexuais durante a vida e prática de sexo inseguro. A prevalência de doenças sexualmente transmissíveis foi de 87,0%.CONCLUSÃO:o estudo sugere a necessidade de ofertar assistência ginecológica em serviços especializados e realização de ações multiprofissionais que reforcem a autonomia feminina na tomada de decisões protetoras.

Oral health associated with quality of life of people living with HIV/AIDS in Brazil

Background: The epidemic of HIV/AIDS enters into its fourth decade and is still considered an important public health problem in developed and developing countries. The purpose is verify the oral health and other factors that influence the quality of life of people living with HIV/AIDS attending a public service reference in Brazil.Methods: The participants answered the questionnaire on socio-demographic conditions, issues related to HIV and daily habits. The quality of life was analyzed by the HIV/AIDS Targeted Quality of Life (HAT-QoL) instrument with 42 items divided into nine domains: General Activity, Sexual Activity, Confidentiality concerns, Health Concerns, Financial Concern, HIV Awareness, Satisfaction with Life Issues related to medication and Trust in the physician. The oral health data were collected by means of the DMFT index, use and need of dentures and the Community Periodontal Index, according to the criteria proposed by the World Health Organization, by a calibrated researcher. Bivariate and multiple linear regressions were performed.Results: Of the participants, 53.1% were women and had a mean age of 42 years, 53.1% had eight years or less of schooling and 20.3% were not employed. In analyzing the quality of life domain of the HAT-QoL, with a lower average there was: Financial concern (39.4), followed by Confidentiality concern (43.2), Sexual activities (55.2) and Health concerns (62. 88). There was an association between the variables: do not have link to employment (p < 0.001), is brown or black (p = 0.045), alcohol consumption (p = 0.041), did not make use of antiretroviral therapy (p = 0.006), high levels of viral load (p = 0.035) and need for dentures (p = 0.025), with the worse quality of life scores.Conclusion: Socioeconomic and inadequate health conditions had a negative impact on the quality of life of people with HIV/AIDS.

Isolation of Leptospira spp. from a man living in a rural area of the Municipality of Cruz Alta, RS, Brazil

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Social isolation in a group living fish impairs cognition

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Use of virtual labs for enhance student's procedimental ability.

This article presents some results of a study investigating the use of the simulator VLAB, developed by Carnegie Mellon University, to increase the capacity of graduate students in Chemistry in the preparation of experimental procedures. The activity was conducted in two stages, first the students were asked a manuscript describing in detail the procedure and equipment used in the technique of dissolution and delivering it to the teacher. Later in the computer lab, each student performed the same procedure using the simulator. The activity has been proposed to determine if there could be accuracy gains of the description of the process when performed by the simulator. One of the main positive aspects obtained using the simulator students was the recognition of error, important in that the great majority recognized omitted or confused any process step. This reflection showed the students that in addition to testing a procedure using the simulator facilitates the organization of thought and helps arrange it logically. With the use of simulators, students are encouraged to take risks, to explore, to experience a new way, and a real lab usually offers much less room for risk, exploitation and failure.

Quality of life of people living with HIV/AIDS treated by the specialized service in Vitória-ES, Brazil

The aim of this study is to establish the factors that influence the quality of life of people living with HIV/AIDS being treated at a specialized public service. The participants answered the questionnaire on sociodemographic conditions, issues related to HIV and daily habits. The quality of life was analyzed using the HIV/AIDS-targeted quality of life (HAT-QoL) instrument with 42 items divided into 9 fields: General Activity, Sexual Activity, Confidentiality Concerns, Health Concerns, Financial Concerns, HIV Awareness, Satisfaction with Life, Issues related to Medication and Trust in the Physician. Bivariate and multiple linear regressions were performed. Of the participants, 53.1% were women and had a mean age of 42 years. In analyzing the quality of life, the HAT-QoL domain with the lowest average was Financial Concerns (39.4), followed by Confidentiality Concerns (43.2), Sexual Activity (55.2) and Health Concerns (62. 88). There was an association between the variables: not being gainfully employed (p < 0.001), being mulatto or black (p = 0.045) and alcohol consumption (p = 0.041) with the worst quality of life scores. Inadequate socioeconomic and health conditions had a negative impact on the quality of life of people with HIV/AIDS.