Evaluation of a recombinant rhoptry protein 2 enzyme-linked immunoassay for the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis acquired during pregnancy

The aim of this study was to evaluate an enzyme-linked immunoassay with recombinant rhoptry protein 2 (ELISA-rROP2) for its ability to detectToxoplasma gondii ROP2-specific IgG in samples from pregnant women. The study included 236 samples that were divided into groups according to serological screening profiles for toxoplasmosis: unexposed (n = 65), probable acute infection (n = 48), possible acute infection (n = 58) and exposed to the parasite (n = 65). When an indirect immunofluorescence assay forT. gondii-specific IgG was considered as a reference test, the ELISA-rROP2 had a sensitivity of 61.8%, specificity of 62.8%, predictive positive value of 76.6% and predictive negative value of 45.4% (p = 0.0002). The ELISA-rROP2 reacted with 62.5% of the samples from pregnant women with probable acute infection and 40% of the samples from pregnant women with previous exposure (p = 0.0180). Seropositivity was observed in 50/57 (87.7%) pregnant women with possible infection. The results underscored that T. gondii rROP2 is recognised by specific IgG antibodies in both the acute and chronic phases of toxoplasmosis acquired during pregnancy. However, the sensitivity of the ELISA-rROP2 was higher in the pregnant women with probable and possible acute infections and IgM reactivity.

Psicometria

A psicometria fundamenta-se na teoria da medida em ciências para explicar o sentido que têm as respostas dadas pelos sujeitos a uma série de tarefas e propor técnicas de medida dos processos mentais. Neste artigo são apresentados os conceitos e modelos da psicometria moderna e discutidos os parâmetros de validade e precisão dos testes.

Construção e validação de instrumento para Avaliação de Estresse em Estudantes de Enfermagem (AEEE)

O estresse tem sido evidenciado de maneira significativa entre os estudantes de Enfermagem. Este artigo descreve uma pesquisa quantitativa, de desenvolvimento metodológico que teve como objetivo construir e validar um instrumento para avaliar os fatores de estresse em estudantes de enfermagem. A construção dos itens baseou-se no modelo de Pasquali e o referencial teórico de estresse foi o de Lazarus e Folkman. O instrumento ficou composto por 30 itens, agrupados em seis domínios: Realização das atividades práticas; Comunicação profissional; Gerenciamento do tempo; Ambiente; Formação profissional; Atividade teórica. A análise fatorial confirmou o modelo conceitual e os domínios propostos. A consistência interna dos domínios estimada pelo alfa de Cronbach variou de 0,71 a 0,87. Foram criados 4 pontos de corte para os escores de cada domínio. O instrumento poderá ser utilizado para avaliar a intensidade dos fatores de estresse entre os estudantes de enfermagem.

Contribution of major cardiovascular risk factors to familial premature coronary artery disease: the GENECARD project.

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to assess the prevalence of major cardiovascular risk factors in familial premature coronary artery disease (P-CAD), affecting two or more siblings within one sibship. BACKGROUND: Premature CAD has a genetic component. It remains to be established whether familial P-CAD is due to genes acting independently from major cardiovascular risk factors. METHODS: We recruited 213 P-CAD survivors from 103 sibships diagnosed before age <or=50 (men) or <or=55 (women) years old. Hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, obesity, and smoking were documented at the time of the event in 163 patients (145 men and 18 women). Each patient was compared with two individuals of the same age and gender, diagnosed with sporadic (nonfamilial) P-CAD, and three individuals randomly sampled from the general population. RESULTS: Compared with the general population, patients with sporadic P-CAD had a higher prevalence of hypertension (29% vs. 14%, p < 0.001), hypercholesterolemia (54% vs. 33%, p < 0.001), obesity (20% vs. 13%, p < 0.01), and smoking (76% vs. 39%, p < 0.001). These risk factors were equally or even more prevalent in patients with familial P-CAD (43% [p < 0.05 vs. sporadic P-CAD], 58% [p = 0.07], 21% and 72%, respectively). Overall, only 7 (4%) of 163 of patients with familial P-CAD and 22 (7%) of 326 of patients with sporadic P-CAD had none of these conditions, as compared with 167 (34%) of 489 patients in the general population. CONCLUSIONS: Classic, remediable risk factors are highly prevalent in patients with familial P-CAD. Accordingly, a major contribution of genes acting in the absence of these risk factors is unlikely.

Le Mâconnais préhistorique : mémoire sur les âges primitifs de la pierre, du bronze et du fer, en Mâconnais et dans quelques contrées limitrophes / ouvrage posthume par H. de Ferry,... ; avec notes et additions et appendice par A. Arcelin,...par le Dr Pruner-Bey,...

Comprend : Supplément anthropologique

Le Mâconnais préhistorique : mémoire sur les âges primitifs de la pierre, du bronze et du fer, en Mâconnais et dans quelques contrées limitrophes / ouvrage posthume par H. de Ferry,... ; avec notes et additions et appendice par A. Arcelin,...par le Dr Pruner-Bey,...

Comprend : Supplément anthropologique