Associação entre fatores de risco cardiovascular e indicadores antropométricos de obesidade em universitários de São Luís, Maranhão, Brasil / The association between cardiovascular risk factors and anthropometric obesity indicators in university students in São Luís in the State of Maranhão, Brazil

O presente artigo tem por objetivo avaliar associação entre fatores de risco cardiovascular (FRCV) e indicadores antropométricos em amostra de base populacional de universitários de São Luís/MA. Estudo transversal com 968 universitários, mediana de 22 anos. Glicemia, triglicerídeos (TGL), HDL-c, tabagismo, consumo de álcool, sedentarismo, síndrome metabólica (SM–critérios do Joint Interim Statement) e resistência insulínica (RI), foram associados e correlacionados com os indicadores antropométricos Índice de Massa Corporal (IMC), Circunferência da Cintura (CC), Relação Cintura Quadril (RCQ) e Relação Cintura Altura (RCA). Encontraram-se associações entre TGL, HAS, SM e maiores valores de todas as variáveis antropométricas. RI associou-se a maiores valores IMC e RCA em homens e mulheres. Baixo HDL-c foi associado a maiores valores de todas as variáveis antropométricas em mulheres. Consumo de álcool associou-se a valores mais elevados de IMC e CC em mulheres e RCQ e RCA em homens. Fumo associou-se a maiores valores de RCA em ambos os sexos. Sedentarismo foi associado a maiores valores de RCQ apenas em homens. As correlações mais altas foram estabelecidas para mulheres entre TGL e IMC, CC, RCQ e RCA. Os indicadores que mais se associaram aos FRCV foram IMC, CC e RCA em mulheres e RCQ e RCA em homens.

The article aims to evaluate the relation between cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) and anthropometric indicators in a sample of university students from São Luís-MA, Brazil. It is a cross-sectional study conducted with 968 university students, with median age of 22. Glycemia, triglycerides, HDL-c, smoking, alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, metabolic syndrome (Joint Interim Statement criteria) and insulin resistance (IR), were associated and correlated with anthropometric indicators such as BMI, WC, WHR and WHtR. Associations were found between TGL, SH, SM and higher values of all anthropometric variables. The RI was associated with higher BMI values and WHtR in men and women. The low HDL-c was associated with higher values of all anthropometric variables in women. Consumption of alcohol was associated with higher values of BMI and WC in women and WHR in men and WHtR. Smoking was associated with higher values of WHtR in both sexes. Physical inactivity was associated with higher values of WHR in men only. The highest correlations were established for women between TGL and BMI CC, WHR and WHtR. The indicators most associated with CVRF were BMI, WC and WHtR in females and WHR and WHtR in men.

Rapid detection of norwalk GII with reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification / 病毒学报

To develop a reverse transcription-loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) assay for rapid and sensitive detection of Norwalk GII. 4 primers which recognized 6 distinct regions on the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase gene of Norwalk GII were designed and used for LAMP assay. Norwalk GII RNA was amplified under isothermal conditions (65 degrees C) for 120 min, and LAMP results were then judged with naked eye, SYBR Green I staining, electrophoretic analysis and restriction digestion. To evaluate the specificity of the RT-LAMP, 48 fecal specimens of Norwalk GII and 12 fecal specimens of group A rotaviruses were tested. To compare the sensitivity of the RT-LAMP with that of conventional RT-PCR, Norwalk GII RNA was serially diluted and amplified by RT-LAMP and RT-PCR, respectively. With 46 fecal specimens of Norwalk GII, observation with naked eyes, SYBR Green I staining and electrophoretic analysis were able to detect the PCR products in the RT-LAMP assay. The specificity of RT-LAMP products was also confirmed by digestion of the RT-LAMP products with restriction enzymes. No RNA amplification was observed in 2 fecal specimens of Norwalk GII and 12 fecal specimens of group A rotaviruses. The specificity of the RT-LAMP assay with regard to RT-PCR were 100% for Norwalk GII. The detection limits of RT-LAMP was 15.6 pg/tube for Norwalk GII and similar to that of a RT-PCR assay. Compared to RT-PCR, the RT-LAMP assay has been proven to be a rapid, sensitive, specific and accurate method for detection of the Norwalk GII in fecal specimens, and that RT-LAMP assay is potentially useful for the rapid detection of Norwalk GII from fecal specimens in outbreaks of infectious diarrhea.

Cloning, expression and immunocharacterization of the capsid protein of human Norwalk virus Guangzhou strain NVgz01 / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To clone, express and characterize the capsid protein of human Norwalk virus Guangzhou strain NVgz01.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>On the basis of successful construction of full-genome clones and sequence analysis of human norovirus Guangzhou strain NVgz01, the full capsid gene was ligated into pET28a (+) for expression. After IPTG induction, the recombinant protein was purified through metal (Ni(2+)) chelating affinity chromatography. Western blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were used to determine the antigenicity of the recombinant protein.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The recombinant capsid gene was overexpressed in E.coli, yielding the recombinant protein with relative molecular mass of 62x10(3) that was highly purified through metal (Ni(2+)) chelating affinity chromatography. IDEIA Norovirus Kit and immunoassay showed that the recombinant protein had good antigenicity.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The capsid gene of norovirus Guangzhou strain has been cloned and expressed, which can be useful for developing diagnostic reagents or vaccine of norovirus.</p>

Molecular epidemiological study of human calicivirus infection in diarrhea children in autumn and winter at a hospital in Guangzhou / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the epidemiological features of human calicivirus( HuCV) infection in children with diarrhea in a hospital in Guangzhou.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Stool specimens were collected from children with viral diarrhea diagnosed between October, 2003 and January, 2004 and between October, 2004 and January, 2005. HuCV was detected by means of RT-PCR and sequence analysis of the PCR products.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Eighty specimens positive for Norwalk-like viruses (NLVs) were identified from 648 stool specimens, with a positivity rate of 12.35%, and sapporo-like viruses (SLVs) were identified in 2 specimens (0.31%). The monthly NLV positivity rate was 11.74% (Oct.), 14.16% (Nov.), 9. 09% (Dec.) and 13.95% (Jan.), respectively, showing no significant variation in these months. NLVs mainly infected children below 2 years old. Twenty-two strains of NLVs were sequenced and analyzed, and 21 of them were identified as GII and the genotype of 1 strain could not be determined. The prevalent viral population were GII-3 and GII-4 in 2003 and was GII-4 in 2004, and both of the SLVs belong to GI-1.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>NLVs is one of the important pathogens causing sporadic acute gastroenteritis in children admitted in the hospital in Guangzhou, and the prevalent strains are GII-3 and GII-4 , but different prevalent strains are possible in different periods.</p>

An Outbreak of Acute Gastroenteritis Presenting with Metabolic Acidosis in Many Nurseries in Gyeonggi Province, Korea

PURPOSE: The hospital-acquired outbreak of acute gastroenteritis caused by a virus is currently one of major health problems among newbron nurseries in Korea. We report an outbreak of acute gastroenteritis with metabolic acidosis over a eight-month period in many nurseries in Gyeonggi-do, Korea. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 73 neonates who were admitted in Ansan Hospital, Korea University Medical Center, presenting with symptoms of acute viral gastroenteritis from March, 2001 to September, 2003. Epidemiologic, clinical and laboratory data for these neonates were reviewed. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for rotavirus and enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for astrovirus, norwalk virus and enteric adenovirus were performed in 54 and 16 neonates, respectively. RESULTS: The mean age at admission was 9.5 +/- 3.9 days. The mean body weight was significantly decreased, compared with mean birth weight. The numbers of severe dehydration were 37 (50.7%) and severe metabolic acidosis (pH < 7.2) were 40 (54.8%). Although the symptoms and laboratory findings were all compatible with acute gastroenteritis caused by a virus, the positive results for ELISA for rotavirus and EIA for astrovirus, norwalk virus and enteric adenovirus were 8 (14.8%) for 54 neonates and none for 16 neonates, respectively. CONCLUSION: Recognizing an outbreak of viral gastroenteritis necessitates notification of local health officials, collection of appropriate specimen for diagnosis and prompt institution of infection control measures.

Detección de virus Norwalk y México, dos calicivirus humanos en deposiciones de niños chilenos / Detection of Norwalk and Mexico virus, 2 human calciviruses in feces of chilean children

Background: Human calciviruses (HuCVs) cause diarrhea outbreaks associated with consumption of contaminated food and water. Seroepidemiological studies in developing countries, suggest that HuCVs can cause acute gastroenteritis in children. Aim: To study the presence of Norwalk (NV) and Mexico (MX) virus, two HuCVs, in stools of Chilean children from different settings. Subjects and methods: ELISA tests for NV and MX were performed in 677 stool samples for children aged 0 to 132 years old, with acute diarrhea occurring in day care centers or consulting in outpatient clinics or emergency rooms. We also studied eight samples from children involved in a diarrhea outbreak that occurred in a rural community in 1992. A subset of samples was tested with polymerase chain reactions using different primers. Results: Only one sample from a child with acute diarrhea occurring in a day care center was positive for HuCV by polymerase chain reaction. Three samples from the outbreak were positive by the latter method and by ELISA. The HuCV obtained from the day care center was genetically different from other known HuCV. Conclusions: Despite the high seroprevalence, NV and MX viruses were detected in a very low proportion of Chilean children stools

Evolución temporal del patrón de aislamiento de enteropatógenos en diarrea aguda / Temporal evolution of pattern's isolation of enteropathogens in acute diarrhoea

Se revisan los datos existentes en el Hospital Infantil de México "Federico Gómez" en relación con los agentes bacterianos causantes de diarreas agudas de pacientes que acuden al Servicio de Hidratación Oral, considerando los más importantes: Shigella, Salmonella, Escherichia coli enteropatógena y Campylobacter. Se comparan estos datos con los que fueron obtenidos entre 1993 y 1997 en el mismo servicio hospitalario. Se estudia la relación de Shigella flexneri con S. sonnei constatando el creciente predominio de S. sonnei. Se reporta la resistencia a antibióticos (ampicilina y bactrim) de Shigella desde 1960, comparando estos hallazgos con los resultados obtenidos en los últimos años. El aumento de cepas resistentes es evidente

Contaminación de los alimentos por virus: un problema de salud pública poco comprendido / Viral contamination of food products: a poorly understood public health problem

En todas partes del mundo han surgido epidemias de enfermedades transmitidas por los alimentos (ETA) sobre las que no existe suficiente información para guiar las acciones de las instituciones de salud pública. El presente estudio se hizo con objeto de contribuir a la diseminación de información sobre esas enfermedades, sus agentes etiológicos y su epidemiología y control. Se utilizaron datos de 61 estudios, entre ellos revisiones, descripciones de brotes y sistematización de datos. De los resultados obtenidos se pudo concluir que hay un gran problema de subregistro y falta de datos sobre estas enfermedades en los diversos países, pero los virus constituyen la segunda causa más importante de ETA en los Estados Unidos de América. Dos agentes, el virus Norwalk y el de la hepatitis A, ocuparon el quinto y sexto lugares, respectivamente, entre las causas principales de ETA, aunque el primero ocupó el primer puesto en 1982 y el segundo lugar como causa principal de enfermedades de transmisión hídrica durante el período de 1986 a 1988. A pesar de la escasez de datos al respecto, los rotavirus, poliovirus, virus de la hepatitis E, astrovirus y pequeños virus gastroentéricos también tienen importancia como agentes de ETA. En el artículo se discute también la importancia de las zoonosis víricas, especialmente de las fiebres hemorrágicas transmitidas por excretas de roedores y las encefalitis víricas transmitidas por garrapatas (fiebre difásica de la leche). Asimismo se presenta la polémica sobre la enfermedad de las vacas locas y su posible transmisión por los alimentos, además de los cuidados alimentarios relacionados con el sida y otras infecciones víricas. Por último, se describen los procedimientos de prevención y control de las ETA víricas

Human Caliciviruses in Korea: A New Prevalent Group Defined by RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase Diversity

Human caliciviruses (HuCVs) cause sporadic cases and outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis (AGE). Three maior genogrovps of HuCVs have been described including the Norwalk virus (NV)-, the Snow Mountain virus (SMA)-, and the Sapporo-genogroups. This study describes the detection and genetic variation of HuCVs from hospitalized infants with AGE in Korea by RT-PCR and sequencing. The cDNA fragments of 206 to 470bp corresponding to the region of 3 primer pairs (36/35, 35/51 or 3/51) in the polymerase region of NV were generated. Of 185 stools screened, 8% were positive by RT-PCR and their sequences showed that all strains contained the GLPSG and YGDD motifs which are conserved for HuCVs. Amino acid (aa) sequence analysis showed that these strains can be divided into 3 maior genogroups. High conservation was observed in that one strain shares 100% of as sequence with Southampton virus, another shares 99% with the Sapporo virus, and six strains share 90 to 95% with Snow Mountain virus. However, significant sequence variation was also found in other strains. This study indicates that all maior genogroups of HuCVs are circulating in Korea.

Seroprevalence of Norwalk-Like Viruses in Seoul: Detection Using Baculovirus-Expressed Norwalk Virus Capsid Antigen

The present study was designed to estimate the seroprevalence of NLVs among diarrheagenic children and in healthy adults in Seoul and its vicinity with the use of an EIA and an Western blot (WB) based on recombinant Norwalk virus capsid protein (rNV) and crude virus preparations as antigen. Seroconversion was observed in 34 (83%) of 41 tested using the EIA and in 21 (54%) of 39 using the WB, suggesting that the NLVs with epitopes common to rNV are prevalent in Seoul area. Diarrheal children who were known to have been infected with several other strains of the NLVs showed no significant antibody response to the rNV. Infection with rNV occurred earlier in life: primary infections with rNV were common before the age of 6 months and over 91% of children had evidence of infection by that age by the EIA. Since the amount of the NLV antigens available for seroepidemiologic surveys is limited, we tried to detect NLV antibody by using crude virus preparations as antigen. One crude virus preparation of a child whose stool yielded genetically distinct NLV revealed the presence of the plural number of bands upon SDS-PAGE, but precipitated only one band (62 kDa) after the WB with a serum (collected 10 days after the onset of symptoms) of another diarrheal child. The WB assay we present in this report revealed that the NLVs are prevalent among Korean population and that the sera contained antibody to a single major structural protein, with molecular sizes of 58 to 62 kDa, compatible with the sizes reported for the Norwalk virus and Snow Mountain agent proteins, respectively. When the results of the WB were compared with those obtained by the EIA, the EIA antibody assay was sensitive enough to detect an antibody rise of as much as 4096-fold but not as specific as the WB. The WB assay presented in this paper will provide a powerful tool to elucidate not only antigenic structures of the NLVs but also seroepidemiology of the NLV infection. The availability of an unlimited source of antigen will enable a large scale serologic studies that will greatly increase our understanding of the role of NLVs in human enteric illness.

Genotypic Variations among Human Calciviruses in Korea: 1987-1994

Sequence comparison of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase of human caliciviruses (HuCVs) from Korean children with gastroenteritis revealed significant genetic variation among them. cDNA clones were produced from the HuCVs collected from pediatric population during a period of 1987-1994. The application of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using primers directed to the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase region within ORF1 of Norwalk virus (NV) showed that 13.7% of HuCVs yielded PCR products of similar size to the NV prototype, NV8Flla/68/US, with exceptions of HuCV185/87/Korea and HuCV1115/90/Korea. Computer analyses showed that the PCR products had a continuous protein encoding frame on the positive strand, and contained GLPSG and YGDD amino acid motifs at the predicted distance from primers. Alignment of the amino acid sequences of HuCVs with previously published sequences for Snow Mountain agent (SMA), NV, and Sapporo/82/Japan indicated that these strains can be divided into four major genogroups. There were 10 (45%) SMA-like CVs, one (4.5%) NV-like HuCVs, two (9%) Sapporo-like HuCVs, and nine (41%) unidentified HuCVs. This fourth genogroup should be investigated further. HuCV185/87/Korea and HuCV1115/90/Korea, Sapporo-like CVs, were genetically distinct from previously characterized HuCVs and more closely related to known animal CVs. One of the animal CV-like strain, HuCV185/87/Korea, showed nucleotide and amino acid homology of only 67% and 73% with the prototype Sapporo/82/Japan. Further characterization of animal and human CV genomes and studies of possible cross-transmission of CVs from animals to humans are likely to be beneficial in understanding the epidemiology of HuCVs.

Norwalk-Like Viruses, A Common Cause of Sporadic Acute Gastroenteritis in korean Children

Norwalk-like virus (NLV), one of the emerging enteric pathogens in sporadic cases and outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis (AG) worldwide, are 30-35 nm in diameter and have a single stranded RNA genome, size 7.6 kb. As genomic sequence data from several isolates of NLVs are being reported, the genetic relationships among these viruses are now being described. Based on the level of sequence similarity in the RNA polymerase region of NLVs, at least three genogroups can be defined: the Norwalk virus (NV)-, the Snow Mountain agent (SMA)-, and the Sapporo-genogroups. A high prevalence of serum antibody to NV-related viruses but no antigenpositve stools (either observed to contain the NLV by immune electron microscopy or suspected of containing the NLV) has suggested that genomically different NLVs are present among Korean children. The purpose of our work therefore was to detect NLVs from Korean infants and children with AG and to characterize the partial genome (RNA-dependent RNA polymerase region) of currently circulating Korean isolates. The cDNA fragments of 110 to 470 bp corresponding to the RNA polymerase region were generated by reverase transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using three primer pairs (36/35, 36/51, or 36/101) derived from the prototype NV (8FIIaNV/68/US). Of 279 stool samples tested, 25 (9%) specimens were positive by RT-PCR and the amplified productscontained GLPSG and YGDD amino acid motifs, characteristic of positive-strand RNA-dependent RNA polymerases, at the predicted distance from the primers. In 6% of the infectious episodes with diarrhea, NLVs appeared to be the sole pathogen. Double infections occurred mainly with rotavirus and triple infections occured with both rotavirus and adenovirus or with both rotavirus and astrovirus. This study indicates that NLVs are a common cause of sporadic AG in Korean infants.

Seroprevalencia y posibles factores de riesgo para virus norwalk en Santiago de Chile / Serological prevalence and possible risk factors for norwalk virus in Santiago, Chile

El virus Norwalk ha sido reconocido como un agente frecuente de diarrea aguda en países desarrollados, especialmente como causal de brotes en adultos. La información disponible en países en desarrollo y en poblaciones pediátricas es reducida. Nuestro objetivo fue evaluar la seroprevalencia para virus Norwalk en habitantes de Santiago, e identificar posibles factores de riesgo. Se evaluaron 291 sueros obtenidos entre los años 1990-1991 de individuos menores de 21 años, estratificados por nivel socioeconómico y edad. Para cada individuo se completó un cuestionario relacionado con variables demográficas, ambientales, de hábitos recreativos y de consumo de alimentos. Los sueros fueron evaluados para anticuerpos anti-virus Norwalk mediante test de ELISA basado en partículas virales recombinantes sintéticas. La seroprevalencia global para virus Norwalk fue de 83 por ciento y el nivel de seroprevalencia fue inversamente proporcional al estrato socioeconómico evaluado (p < 0,001). La seroprevalencia aumentó con la edad (p < 0,001) observándose un aumento significativo de seroprevalencia entre los 3 (47 por ciento) y 4 años (82 por ciento) de edad (p = 0,04). La seroprevalencia fue mayor en: individuos del sexo femenino (p = 0,006) aquellos con antecedente de baño en fuentes de agua dulce (p = 0,048), aquellos que presentaban antecedentes de consumo de mariscos crudos (p = 0,0001), vegetales no cocidos (p < 0,0001), y en aquellos niños con madres con menor nivel de educación (p = 0,009). En Santiago la seroprevalencia para virus Norwalk es alta, la adquisicón de anticuerpos ocurre mayoritariamente antes de los 5 años de edad y está fuertemente asociada al nivel socioeconómico al que pertenece el individuo. El consumo de mariscos y vegetales crudos así como el contacto con fuentes de agua potencialmente contaminadas parecen ser factores significativos de riesgo para esta infección. Estos resultados deben orientar el diseño de nuevos estudios prospectivos destinados a identificar la presencia de virus en individuos pertenecientes a grupos de mayor riesgo

Rotavírus, adenovírus, astrovírus, calicivírus e "small round virus particles" em fezes de crianças, com e sem diarréia aguda, no período de 1987 a 1988, na grande São Paulo / Rotavirus, adenovirus, astrovirus, calicivirus and small round virus particles in feces of children with and without acute diarrhea, from 1987 to 1988, in the greater São Paulo

Between 1987 and 1988, 193 faecal specimens from children, with or without diarrhea, were submitted to enzyme immunoassay, polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis and electronmicroscopy tests for virus detection. The positivity for Rotavirus, Adenovirus, Astrovirus, Calicivirus and Small Round Virus Particles (SRVP) was 11.3, 3.1, 2.1, 1.0 and 4.1, respectively, for the 97 children with acute diarrhea. Of the 96 children without diarrhea, 4.2 were positive for Rotavirus, 1.0 for Calicivirus and 7.3 for SRVP. Of 15 positive specimens for Rotavirus, 14 showed electrophoretic patterns proper to group A and 1 specimen of group C Rotavirus. The analysis of electrophorotypes demonstrated great heterogeneity of electrophoretic patterns and predominance of subgroup 2, "long". The association of virus, bacteria and parasites was present both in children with or without acute diarrhea.

Gastroenteritis viral no causada por rotavirus / Viral gastroenteritis caused not by rotavirus

Este trabajo es una revisión bibliográfica de la gastroenteritis viral no causada por rotavirus. El virus Norwalk y el calicivirus son lo agentes etiológicos mejor establecidos en este contexto. Sin embargo, en la mayoría de los casos el agente etiológico es desconocido. Muchos de estos virus son de crecimiento dificultoso, y es probable que también muchos sean habitantes normales del tracto gastrointestinal. La microscopia electrónica inmunológica parece ser el procedimiento diagnóstico más prometedor para identificar a estos virus causantes de diarrea. Los estudios sobre gastroenteritis viral en la República DOminicana han sido limitados al rotavirus, y el campo de la investigación en este sentido es amplio y abierto a las motivaciones de los investigadores

Etiología de las enfermedades diarreicas agudas. I: agentes virales / Etiology of acute diarrheal disease I: viral agents

Se hace una revisión actualizada de los diferentes agentes virales causantes de diarrea tanto en el niño como en el adulto. Se describen las manifestaciones clínicas de los mismos y se hace énfasis en los rotavirus, agente de Norwalk y adenovirus, así como también en los diferentes métodos para su diagnóstico. Se destaca la importancia de la fisiopatología de las diarreas virales, particularmente la concerniente a los rotavirus