Accuracy of traditional and novel serology tests for predicting cross-protection in foot-and-mouth disease vaccinated cattle

Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) antigenic-match between vaccine and field viruses has traditionally been estimated in vitro by computing the r1 value using virus neutralization test (VNT) or ELISA titers. In this study we compared the accuracy in predicting cross-protection between the r1 value estimated by VNT and two recently developed tests that measure IgG subtypes and avidity. Data analyzed consisted of 64 serum samples from FMDV A24/Cruzeiro vaccinated bovines challenged with the heterologous A/Argentina/2001 strain and evaluated for podal generalization. We computed the tests sensitivity (Se), specificity (Sp), and receiving operating characteristics (ROC) curve. The heterologous IgG1/IgG2 ratio was the most accurate test (Se = 0.71, Sp = 0.98), followed by heterologous IgG1 (Se = 0.53, Sp = 0.96), VNT (Se = 0.47, Sp = 1.00), whereas r1 accuracy was substantially low (Se = 0.41, Sp = 0.81). Because sensitivity of individual tests was limited, we argue that two or more of the tests should be used in combination to produce accurate estimates of protection.     

Prevalence and conditions associated with chronic pelvic pain in women from S?o Luís,Brazil

The objective of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of chronic pelvic pain in the community of São Luís, capital of the State of Maranhão, Northeastern Brazil, and to identify independent conditions associated with it. A cross-sectional study was conducted, including a sample of 1470 women older than 14 years predominantly served by the public health system. The interviews were held in the subject''s home by trained interviewers not affiliated with the public health services of the municipality. The homes were visited at random according to the city map and the prevalence of the condition was estimated. To identify the associated conditions, the significant variables (P=0.10) were selected and entered in a multivariate analysis model. Data are reported as odds ratio and 95% confidence interval, with the level of significance set at 0.05. The prevalence of chronic pelvic pain was 19.0%. The independent conditions associated with this diagnosis were: dyspareunia (OR=3.94), premenopausal status (OR=2.95), depressive symptoms (OR=2.33), dysmenorrhea (OR=1.77), smoking (OR=1.72), irregular menstrual flow (OR=1.62), and irritative bladder symptoms (OR=1.90). The prevalence of chronic pelvic pain in Sao Luís is high and is associated with the conditions cited above. Guidelines based on prevention and/or early identification of risk factors may reduce the prevalence of chronic pelvic pain in São Luís, Brazil.     

Telegenetics: application of a tele-education program in genetic syndromes for Brazilian students

With the high occurrence of genetic anomalies in Brazil and the manifestations of communication disorders associated with these conditions, the development of educative actions that comprise these illnesses can bring unique benefits in the identification and appropriate treatment of these clinical pictures.

Objective

The aim of this study was to develop and analyze an educational program in genetic syndromes for elementary students applied in two Brazilian states, using an Interactive Tele-education model.

Material and Methods

The study was carried out in 4 schools: two in the state of São Paulo, Southeast Region, Brazil, and two in the state of Amazonas, North Region, Brazil. Forty-five students, both genders, aged between 13 and 14 years, of the 9^th grade of the basic education of both public and private system, were divided into two groups: 21 of São Paulo Group (SPG) and 24 of Amazonas Group (AMG). The educational program lasted about 3 months and was divided into two stages including both classroom and distance activities on genetic syndromes. The classroom activity was carried out separately in each school, with expository lessons, graphs and audiovisual contents. In the activity at a distance the educational content was presented to students by means of the Interactive Tele-education model. In this stage, the students had access a Cybertutor, using the Young Doctor Project methodology. In order to measure the effectiveness of the educational program, the Problem Situation Questionnaire (PSQ) and the Web Site Motivational Analysis Checklist adapted (FPM) were used.

Results

The program developed was effective for knowledge acquisition in 80% of the groups. FPM showed a high satisfaction index from the participants in relation to the Interactive Tele-education, evaluating the program as "awesome course". No statistically significant differences between the groups regarding type of school or state were observed.

Conclusion

Thus, the Tele-Education Program can be used as a tool for educational purposes in genetic syndromes of other populations, in several regions of Brazil.     

Probiotics in inflammatory bowel disease: Does it work?

The number of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a group of diseases mainly represented by Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), has increased in recent decades. As a consequence, the number of people undergoing any drug treatment against these diseases has expanded. However, IBD conventional therapies present several limitations, which lead researchers to look for better alternatives to improve the quality of life of patients. Moreover, microbiome imbalance seems to play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of IBD, since important alterations in bacterial, viral, protist and fungal populations are observed in the gut microbiota of affected individuals. Given the importance of such life forms in that context, the use of probiotics becomes a plausible alternative for treating affected patients. Trials have been developed aiming the evaluation of probiotics potential to induce and to maintain remission in CD and UC. Regarding the tested microorganisms, various non-pathogenic bacteria and fungi have been assessed. However, consistent results have been obtained only with some of them, including Escherichia coli Nissle 1917, VSL#3, Saccharomyces boulardii, Lactobacillus, and Bifidobacterium. Therefore, this minireview aims to explore the role of microbiota in the genesis of such a disorder and to compile the most concrete data on probiotic-related efficiency in IBD treatment.     

Effects of Ultracavitation and Radiofrequency on Abdominal Adiposity

Background The mechanism of fat reduction from radiofrequency occurs via the thermal stimulation of adipocyte metabolism, causing a lipase-mediated triglyceride enzyme degradation, apoptosis, and adipocyte rupture. Ultracavitation promotes fat reduction using adipose cell destruction through mechanical stimulus. The literature on the combination of these two physical agents, named ultrafrequency, is still scarce and requires consistent analysis of the effects of this therapy combination.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to investigate the effects of radiofrequency associated with ultracavitation in the treatment of abdominal subcutaneous tissue of women.MethodsThis was a prospective, randomized clinical trial in which 45 participants were divided into three distinct groups: the control group (no treatment); ultracavitation group; and ultracavitation and radiofrequency (UCV+RF) group, each with 15 volunteers. The following variables were evaluated: weight, perimetry, plicometry, ultrasonography, treatment reactions, and patient satisfaction.ResultsThe participants in the UCV+RF group presented a more significant decrease in adipose tissue, which was verified through all the evaluation methods.ConclusionBased on our results, the simultaneous application of ultracavitation and radiofrequency generated a reduction in localized adiposity superior to the isolated use of ultracavitation.     

Zinc Deficiency Interacts with Intestinal/Urogenital Parasites in the Pathway to Anemia in Preschool Children,Bengo–Angola

In host organisms with normal micronutrient status, nutritional immunity is a strongly regulated response aiming at decreasing the progression and severity of infections. Zinc deficiency may disturb this balance, impairing immune responses to infections, which may indirectly increase infection-related anemia. Since zinc deficiency may associate directly with anemia, the role of infections is often overlooked. Herein, we investigated the participation of infections (or inflammation) in the causal pathway between zinc deficiency and anemia. This transversal study, conducted in 2015 in Bengo-Angola, enrolled 852 under-3-year-old children. Logistic regression models were used to investigate interaction and mediation effects, and significance was confirmed by the Sobel test. In sum, 6.8% of children had zinc deficiency, 45.9% had anemia, and 15.6% had at least one intestinal/urogenital parasite. Furthermore, we found (1) no evidence that inflammation mediates or interacts with zinc deficiency to cause anemia, and (2) zinc deficiency interacts with infections, significantly increasing the odds of anemia (OR: 13.26, p = 0.022). This interaction was stronger among children with iron deficiency anemia (OR: 46.66, p = 0.003). Our results suggest that zinc deficiency may impair the immune response to infections and/or that intestinal parasites could have developed mechanisms to avoid zinc-limited environments. Further studies are needed to corroborate these suggestions.