Chlamydia trachomatis infection among HIV-infected women attending an AIDS clinic in the city of Manaus,Brazil

This was a cross-sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence of and to identify risk factors for Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected women attending the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) clinic in the city of Manaus, Brazil, in 2009-2010. Participants answered a questionnaire containing demographic, epidemiological, and clinical data. A genital specimen was collected during examination to detect CT-DNA by hybrid capture, and blood samples were taken to determine CD4⁺T and HIV viral load. There were 329 women included in the study. Median age was 32 years (IQR = 27-38) and median schooling was nine years (IQR = 4-11). The prevalence of CT was 4.3% (95%CI: 2.1-6.5). Logistic regression analysis showed that age between 18-29 years [OR = 4.1(95%CI: 1.2-13.4)] and complaint of pelvic pain [OR = 3.7 (95%CI: 1.2-12.8)] were independently associated with CT. The use of condom was inversely associated with CT [OR = 0.39 (95%CI: 0.1-0.9)]. The results showed that younger women who did not use condoms are at a higher risk for CT. Screening for sexually transmitted infections must be done routinely and safe sexual practices should be promoted among this population.     

Electrocardiographic changes during exposure to residual oil fly ash (ROFA) particles in a rat model of myocardial infarction.

Epidemiological studies have reported a positive association of short-term increases in ambient particulate matter (PM) with daily mortality and hospital admissions for cardiovascular disease. Although patients with cardiopulmonary disease appear to be most at risk, particulate-related cardiac effects following myocardial infarction (MI) have not been examined. To improve understanding of mechanisms, we developed and tested a model for investigating the effects of inhaled PM on arrhythmias and heart rate variability (HRV), a measure of autonomic nervous system activity, in rats with acute MI. Left-ventricular MI was induced in 31 Sprague-Dawley rats by thermocoagulation of the left coronary artery; 32 additional rats served as sham-operated controls. Diazepam-sedated rats were exposed (1 h) to residual oil fly ash (ROFA), carbon black, or room air at 12-18 h after surgery. Each exposure was immediately preceded and followed by a 1-h exposure to room air (baseline and recovery periods, respectively). Lead-II electrocardiograms were recorded. In the MI group, 41% of rats exhibited one or more premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) during the baseline period. Exposure to ROFA, but not to carbon black or room air, increased arrhythmia frequency in animals with preexisting PVCs. Furthermore, MI rats exposed to ROFA, but not to carbon black or room air, decreased HRV. There was no difference in arrhythmia frequency or HRV among sham-operated animals. These results underscore the usefulness of this model for elucidating the physiologic mechanisms of pollution-induced cardiovascular arrhythmias and contribute to defining the specific constituents of ambient particles responsible for arrhythmias.     

Effects of ambient particles and carbon monoxide on supraventricular arrhythmias in a rat model of myocardial infarction

The association between short-term increases in particulate air pollution and increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality is well documented. Recent studies suggest an association between particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter < 2.5 microm (PM2.5) and supraventricular arrhythmias (SVA), but the results have been inconsistent. We evaluated this hypothesis in a rat model of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Diazepam-sedated Sprague-Dawley rats with AMI were exposed (1 h) to either filtered air (n = 16), concentrated ambient fine particles (CAPS; mean = 645.7 microg/m3; n = 23), carbon monoxide (CO; 35 ppm; n = 19), or CAPs and CO (n = 24). Each exposure was immediately preceded and followed by a 1-h exposure to filtered air (baseline and postexposure periods, respectively). Surface electrocardiograms were recorded and the frequency of supraventricular premature beats was quantified. Among rats in the CAPS group, the probability of observing any SVA decreased from baseline to the exposure and postexposure periods. This pattern was significantly different than that observed for the filtered air group during the exposure period (p = .048) only. In the subset of rats with one or more SVA during the baseline period, the change in SVA rate from baseline to exposure period was significantly lower in the CAPS (p = .04) and CO (p = .007) groups only, as compared to the filtered air group. No significant effects were observed in the group simultaneously exposed to CAPS and CO. Thus, the results of this study do not support the hypothesis that exposure to ambient air pollution increases the risk or frequency of supraventricular arrhythmias.     

“Thread Seal Tape” (Polytetrafluoroethylene) Implanted in the Subcutaneous Tissue of Rats

“Thread seal tape” (Polytetrafluoroethylene [PTFE]) was placed in the dorsum of 20 rats for evaluation of the inflammatory reaction to it. The rats were killed 7, 14, 28, and 60 days after the surgical intervention, and the implant samples, together with adjacent tissues, were removed for histologic analysis. At clinical examination, the dorsum of the rat’s skin presented no local inflammatory reaction. The histologic analysis showed decreasing inflammatory reaction with time that was almost absent 60 days after surgery. The authors concluded that the “thread seal tape” (PTFE) did not cause an inflammatory reaction when implanted in the subcutaneous tissue of rats.     

Risk factors and prevention actions in prostate cancer: fundamentals for nursing

A reflexive article about risk factors and prostate cancer prevention actions is presented to contribute to the approach of men, especially during nursing consultation. Increasing age, ethnical origin and heredity are potential risk factors. Low-fat diet and a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes, grains and others, are related as capable of potentially minimize the risks. Finasteride, a drug that is inhibitor of 5 alpha-reductase has been studied as a risk reducer. Investigating the disease by measuring levels of Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) and digital rectal examination is also a recommended action. However, further scientific evidences about these factors are being sough. The approach of men in nursing consultation may contribute to the identification of risk factors, signs and symptoms of possible changes.     

Sweet Syndrome in childhood

Sweet syndrome or acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis is a recurrent and rare skin disease caused by the release of cytokines, with diverse possible etiologic causes. It presents clinically with polymorphic skin lesions, fever, arthralgia, and peripheral leukocytosis. In general, it is associated with infections, malignancy and drugs. It usually regresses spontaneously and treatment is primarily to control the basic disease. The authors report the case of a child of 1 year and 11 months who developed Sweet syndrome.