Evaluation of the brain and kidney renin-angiotensin system and oxidative stress in neonatal handled rats.

The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) components, as well as the oxidative stress system, would respond to early environmental changes. Thus, we have evaluated the effects of neonatal handling on both brain and kidney RAS and oxidative stress. Pups were divided into two groups: nonhandled and handled. The procedure consisted of handling them for 1 min/day in the first 10 days of life. On days 1, 5, and 10, animals were killed by decapitation. Blood samples were collected and the brain and kidneys were removed. Renin, AT(1), and AT(2) mRNA expression were evaluated through RT-PCR. Angiotensin II (ANG II) serum concentration was also measured. An increased ANG II concentration, brain and kidney AT(2) mRNA expression were demonstrated. The kidney mRNA AT(1) expression was decreased. There was also a kidney lipid peroxidation increase and a brain superoxide dismutase and catalase decrease. In conclusion, handling in the neonatal period induces the activation of the angiotensinergic system, as well as modulates its mRNA receptor expression. The oxidative stress balance system seems not to be involved.

Micronuclei induced by reverse transcriptase inhibitors in mononucleated and binucleated cells as assessed by the cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay.

This study evaluated the clastogenic and/or aneugenic potential of three nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (zidovudine - AZT, lamivudine - 3TC and stavudine - d4T) using the cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) assay in human lymphocyte cultures. All three inhibitors produced a positive response when tested in binucleated cells. The genotoxicity of AZT and 3TC was restricted to binucleated cells since there was no significant increase in the frequency of micronuclei in mononucleated cells. This finding indicated that AZT and 3TC caused chromosomal breakage and that their genotoxicity was related to a clastogenic action. In addition to the positive response observed with d4T in binucleated cells, this drug also increased the frequency of micronuclei in mononucleated cells, indicating clastogenic and aneugenic actions. Since the structural differences between AZT and 3TC and AZT and d4T involve the 3' position in the 2'-deoxyribonucleoside and in an unsaturated 2',3',dideoxyribose, respectively, we suggest that an unsaturated 2', 3', dideoxyribose is responsible for the clastogenic and aneugenic actions of d4T.

Micronuclei induced by reverse transcriptase inhibitors in mononucleated and binucleated cells as assessed by the cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay

This study evaluated the clastogenic and/or aneugenic potential of three nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (zidovudine - AZT, lamivudine - 3TC and stavudine - d4T) using the cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) assay in human lymphocyte cultures. All three inhibitors produced a positive response when tested in binucleated cells. The genotoxicity of AZT and 3TC was restricted to binucleated cells since there was no significant increase in the frequency of micronuclei in mononucleated cells. This finding indicated that AZT and 3TC caused chromosomal breakage and that their genotoxicity was related to a clastogenic action. In addition to the positive response observed with d4T in binucleated cells, this drug also increased the frequency of micronuclei in mononucleated cells, indicating clastogenic and aneugenic actions. Since the structural differences between AZT and 3TC and AZT and d4T involve the 3' position in the 2'-deoxyribonucleoside and in an unsaturated 2',3',dideoxyribose, respectively, we suggest that an unsaturated 2', 3', dideoxyribose is responsible for the clastogenic and aneugenic actions of d4T.

TP53 codon 72 polymorphism and cervical cancer: a pooled analysis of individual data from 49 studies.

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer is caused primarily by human papillomaviruses (HPV). The polymorphism rs1042522 at codon 72 of the TP53 tumour-suppressor gene has been investigated as a genetic cofactor. More than 80 studies were done between 1998 and 2006, after it was initially reported that women who are homozygous for the arginine allele had a risk for cervical cancer seven times higher than women who were heterozygous for the allele. However, results have been inconsistent. Here we analyse pooled data from 49 studies to determine whether there is an association between TP53 codon 72 polymorphism and cervical cancer. METHODS: Individual data on 7946 cases and 7888 controls from 49 different studies worldwide were reanalysed. Odds ratios (OR) were estimated using logistic regression, stratifying by study and ethnic origin. Subgroup analyses were done for infection with HPV, ethnic origin, Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, study quality, and the material used to determine TP53 genotype. FINDINGS: The pooled estimates (OR) for invasive cervical cancer were 1.22 (95% CI 1.08-1.39) for arginine homozygotes compared with heterozygotes, and 1.13 (0.94-1.35) for arginine homozygotes versus proline homozygotes. Subgroup analyses showed significant excess risks only in studies where controls were not in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (1.71 [1.21-2.42] for arginine homozygotes compared with heterozygotes), in non-epidemiological studies (1.35 [1.15-1.58] for arginine homozygotes compared with heterozygotes), and in studies where TP53 genotype was determined from tumour tissue (1.39 [1.13-1.73] for arginine homozygotes compared with heterozygotes). Null results were noted in studies with sound epidemiological design and conduct (1.06 [0.87-1.29] for arginine homozygotes compared with heterozygotes), and studies in which TP53 genotype was determined from white blood cells (1.06 [0.87-1.29] for arginine homozygotes compared with heterozygotes). INTERPRETATION: Subgroup analyses indicated that excess risks were most likely not due to clinical or biological factors, but to errors in study methods. No association was found between cervical cancer and TP53 codon 72 polymorphism when the analysis was restricted to methodologically sound studies. FUNDING: German Research Foundation (DFG).

Transition of cervical carcinoma in situ to invasive cancer: role of p16 INK4a expression in progression and in recurrence.

To investigate the expression of p16(INK4a) in cervical carcinoma and its relation to the transition of carcinoma in situ to invasive carcinoma, and its role in recurrence of cervical lesions as well, a series of 90 patients with cervical carcinoma (49 with in situ lesion and 41 with invasive lesion) were selected from July 2001 and September 2002. Groups with in situ and invasive lesions were paired for a series of risk variables for cervical cancer and followed up for 60 months. The follow-up visits occurred every 6 months in the first three years and annually up to the fifth year. It was observed that 87.9% of the patients with invasive lesion showed overexpression of p16(INK4a), in comparison with 37.6% of those with in situ lesion (X(2): 13.68; 2 df; p=0.0002; OR: 12.08), demonstrating overexpression of p16(INK4a) as a risk of invasion of the basal layer by dysplastic cells. We also observed an association between overexpression of p16(INK4a) and staging of cancer (X(2): 18.38; 6 df; p=0.0003). A prospective analysis, when controlled for interaction with cervical lesion groups (by Cox regression), demonstrated a risk of recurrence of 4.83 times attributed to overexpression of p16(INK4a), albeit not statistically significant (p=0.14).

Cytotoxicity of two autopolymerized acrylic resins used in orthodontics.

OBJECTIVE: To test in vitro the null hypothesis that the toxic effect of different acrylic resins used in orthodontics cannot be reduced when a prior elution is performed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three established cell lines were used (HeLa, NIH3T3, and Hep2) and cultured under standard conditions. Resin segments were immersed in a culture medium and left to elute for 24 and 48 hours. Cells were exposed to medium containing eluates for 24 or 48 hours. The 3-(4,5 dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2.5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was used as the cytotoxicity test. Control cells contained standard medium with no eluate. Analysis of variance and Tukey test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Fibroblastic viability was not affected when the elution time was 24 hours, but treatments showed higher cell viability than controls when the elution time was 48 hours. When left to elute for 24 hours, both resins had a cytotoxic effect on epithelial cells, but this effect was not observed when the elution time was 48 hours. CONCLUSIONS: The hypothesis was rejected as both tested materials showed lower cytotoxic effect when treated with 48-hour elutes compared with 24-hour elutes, which indicates that a longer elution time reduces resin toxicity.

Serologic and molecular profile of anti-HBc-positive blood bank donors in an area of low endemicity for HBV.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection leaves serological markers that indicate prior contact with the virus or an occult infection. The aim of this study was to determine the profile of HBV markers of individuals from a region of low HBV endemicity excluded from blood donation due to the presence of total anti-HBc antibodies but who tested negative for HBV surface antigen (HBsAg). The profile of 244 subjects exclusively anti-total hepatitis B core (anti-total HBc) reactive was determined. Markers such as anti-HBsAg, HBeAg (HBV core antigen) and anti-HBe (antibody to hepatitis Be antigen) were determined, and HB viral DNA (HBV-DNA) was identified by PCR analysis. Overall, 85.7% of the subjects had an anti-HBs (hepatitis B surface antigen antibody) titer higher than 10 IU/L; 154 samples were negative for HBeAg and 66.5% were reactive for anti-HBe. All samples were negative for HBV-DNA (n = 241). We found a significant association between the anti-HBe and anti-HBs titers (P = 0.026). Most individuals from a low endemic area for HBV have shown anti-HBs titers that confer immunity against HBV, even though they were negative for HBV-DNA. In the light of a shortage of donated blood worldwide, we suggest that special measures should be considered that would facilitate the possible use of these rejected blood units in areas of low endemicity for HBV.

Determinação do limite mínimo de detecção da técnica de PCR “nested” para o vírus da hepatite B (HBV) / Evaluation of minimum detection limit to hepatitis B virus (HBV) PCR “nested”

Mundialmente, a hepatite pelo vírus B (HBV) é considerada um dos maiores problemas de saúde pública, apesar da vacinação. A Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS) estima que mais de 2 bilhões de pessoas estejam infectadas pelo HBV. O Brasil é classificado como área de incidência intermediária pela OMS. No entanto, estudos de prevalência detectaram diferenças de índices de infecção nas regiões geográficas: 8% na região Amazônica, 2,5% nas regiões Centro-Oeste e Nordeste, 2% na Sudeste e 1% na região Sul. Um diagnóstico sensível e específico é de fundamental importância para os pacientes portadores do HBV. O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar o limite mínimo de detecção da técnica de PCR “nested” “in house” para o HBV. Diluições seriadas de uma amostra quantificada de HBV (1000 cópias/mL; 750 cópias/mL; 500 cópias/mL; 250 cópias/mL) foram submetidas à técnica de PCR “nested”. O alvo da amplificação por PCR foi a região do core e pré-core do vírus. Para extração dos ácidos nucléicos da amostra foi empregado o kit comercial QIAmp. O limite mínimo de detecção encontrado foi de 500 cópias/mL ou 10 cópias por reação de PCR.

All over the world, the hepatitis B virus (HBV) is considered one of the major problems of public health, despite vaccination. World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that more than 2 billions of persons are infected by HBV. Brazil is classified as an area of intermediary incidence by WHO. However, prevalence studies have detected differences of infection indexes in geographic regions: 8% in the Amazonian region, 2,5% in middle-west and Northeast, 2% in Southeast and 1% in South. A sensitive and specific diagnosis is very important to the HBV carrier patients. The aim of this study was to determine the minimum limit of detection of the nested PCR in house technique for HBV. Serial dilutions of one quantified sample of HBV (1000 copies/mL; 750 copies/mL; 500 copies/mL; 250 copies/mL) were submitted to a nested PCR. The target of PCR was viral core and pre-core region. Commercial kit, QiAmp, was employed to purify nucleic acids from the sample. The minimum detection limit found was 500 copies/mL or 10 copies per PCR reaction.

Determinação do limite mínimo de detecção da técnica de pcr "semi-nested" para Neisseria meningitidis, Haemophilus influenzae e Streptococcus pneumaniae / Determination of detection minimum limit by polymerase chain reaction seminested to Neisseria meningitidis, Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae

Mundialmente, as meningites bacterianas constituem importante causa de morbimortalidade na infância, exigindo um diagnóstico rápido e preciso no manejo dos pacientes. O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar o limite mínimo de detecção da técnica de PCR “semi-nested” “in house” para os três principais agentes causadores de meningites bacterianas: Neisseria meningitidis, Haemophilus influenzae e Streptococcus pneumoniae. Diluições seriadas de cada bactéria foram submetidas à técnica de PCR “semi-nested” para detecção simultânea dos três microrganismos, pela amplificação de uma região do gene bacteriano 16S rRNA. Os produtos finais foram amplicons específicos de diferentes pesos moleculares para N. meningitidis, H. influenzae e gênero-específico para Streptococcus sp. A forma de visualização dos resultados foi através de eletroforese em gel de agarose para a detecção dos produtos da PCR. Determinou-se que o limite mínimo de detecção para Neisseria meningitidis, Haemophilus influenzae e Streptococcus pneumoniae foi respectivamente de 103, 102 e 104 UFC/mL

Formaldeído na odontologia: aspectos antimicrobianos, carcinogênicos e mutagênicos. Um estudo da sua viabilidade na clínica odontológica / Formaldehyde in dentistry: antimicrobial, carcinogenic, and mutagenic aspects. A study of its viability in dentistry

O formaldeído é um medicamento usado na prática odontológica desde o século XVIII. Ele foi um dos agentes medicamentosos mais usados na Odontologia, ao se tratar de terapêutica pulpar. Porém, apesar de apresentar alto índice de sucesso clínico e radiográfico, têm-se dado atenção especial para as propriedades tóxicas deste material. O presente artigo visa revisar a ação do formaldeído sobre os tecidos dentários, enfatizando os aspectos citotóxicos e antimicrobianos, considerando sua ação sobre cultura de células e de bactérias, em diferentes concentrações, e seus efeitos mutagênicos e carcinogênicos. Pode-se concluir que, apesar de ser um eficiente antimicrobiano, o formaldeído apresenta numerosos efeitos citopatológicos, além de ser mutagênico e carcinogênico.

Molecular evidence of HTLV-II subtype B among an urban population living in South Brazil.

Human T cell lymphotropic virus type II (HTLV-II) is a deltaretrovirus endemic in Indian populations living in Central and South America, among Pygmies tribes from Central Africa, and epidemic among injecting drug users (IDUs) in the United States, Europe, Southeast Asia, and South America. To date only the HTLV-IIa subtype has been demonstrated among Brazilians (Amazon basin Indians, blood donors, and IDUs). We analyzed HTLV-II isolates from 12 individuals living in the urban area of Porto Alegre, Southern Brazil, identified as seropositive for HTLVI/II in a blood donation. The HTLV-II long terminal repeat (LTR) region was sequenced and compared with nucleotide sequences of isolates HTLV-IIa (Mo), HTLV-IIb (NRA) prototypes. Phylogenetic analysis of the LTR region demonstrated that seven new isolates clustered together with American Indians HTLV-IIb isolates, and five new HTLV-IIa isolates clustered within the HTLV-IIa Brazilian subgroup, named the HTLV-IIc subtype. Both HTLV-IIa and IIb seem to be endemic in the urban area of Porto Alegre, South of Brazil, and could have reached this region via the Amazon basin and the Pacific Coast ancient human migratory pathways. To our knowledge this is the first study demonstrating the presence of HTLV-IIb among the urban population in Brazil.

p16INK4A expression in cervical premalignant and malignant lesions.

p16INK4a is a cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor which decelerates cell cycle by inactivating CDKs that phosphorylate pRb. Human Papillomavirus persistent infection plays an important role on cervical carcinogenesis, mainly by the action of two viral oncoproteins, E6 and E7, which interact with p53 and pRb, respectively. Increasing expression of E6 and E7 in dysplastic cervical cells might thus be reflected by increased expression of p16INK4a. Recent studies revealed that p16INK4a expression could be a marker for dysplastic and neoplastic cervical cells. The aim of this study was to analyze p16INK4a expression in cervical preneoplastic and neoplastic lesions and correlate with lesion grade. Expression of p16INK4a was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. A total of 6 low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL), 21 high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) and 27 cancer samples were studied. In HPV-positive cervical samples (n=48), p16INK4a expression was observed in 1 of 3 LSIL, in 18 of 19 HSIL and in all 26 cancer cases. These results are in accordance with the hypothesis that functional inactivation of pRb by HPV-E7 protein induces p16INK4a expression in cervical lesions. In our study, a statistically significant association was observed between cervical lesion grade and p16INK4a expression (P<0.001).

Comportamento da hepatite viral C nos pacientes em programa de hemodiálise do Hospital São Lucas de PUCRS / Behavior of viral hepatitis C in patients from hemodialysis program from Hospital São Lucas da PUCCRS

Objetivos: Avaliar a prevalência de anticorpos positivos para hepatite C nos pacientes em programa de hemodiálise, quanto à permanência em hemodiálise, realização transplante renal, mortalidade e influência do vírus da hepatite C sobre mortalidade entre aqueles com PCR para HCV-RNA positivo. Métodos: Foram identificados os pacientes em programa de hemodiálise no Hospital São Lucas da PUCRS em maio de 2006, analisando a sorologia positiva para hepatite C, através de anti-HCV reagente. Também foram estudados, retrospectivamente, 71 pacientes que estavam em hemodiálise no período de 2000 a 2002 e que participaram de estudo prévio a respeito de prevalência de anti-HCV positivo e/ou HCV-RNA positivo. Foi realizado o seguimento destes pacientes através de revisão de prontuário médico. Os resultados foram apresentados de forma descritiva e comparados com a literatura. Resultados: 70 pacientes estavam em programa de hemodiálise no mês de maio de 2006, entre os quais 7 (10%) tinham anticorpos positivos para hepatite C. Dos 71 pacientes que participaram do estudo entre 2000 e 2002 , 24(33,8%) permaneciam em acompanhamento no HSL-PUCRS, sendo que 12 (16,9%) em programa de hemodiálise e 12 (16,9%) realizaram transplante renal. 22 pacientes (31%) foram a óbto, sendo que as causas mais frequentes foram as cardiovasculares (36,3%). 25 pacientes (35,2%) perderam o vículo com a instituição. Entre os 71 pacientes, 15 apresentaram anticorpos para virus C e 7 tinham sorologia (anti-HCV) negativa. Entretanto, a detecção do HCV-RNA era positiva. Os restantes tinham tanto anti-HCV qunto HCV-RNA neativos. Conclusões: A prevalência atual e anticorpos positivos para hepatite C nos pacientes em hemodiálise não se alterou significaivamente em relação ao período de 2002. Não foi possível identificar influência da infecção pelo vírus da hepatite C na mortalidade e no prognóstico dos pacientes em programa de hemodiálise. A causa de óbto mais frequentemente encontrada foi a cardiovascular.

[Rhinovirus and acute bronchiolitis in young infants]. / Bronquiolite aguda por rinovírus em lactentes jovens.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of rhinovirus infection in hospitalized young infants with acute bronchiolitis. METHODS: Hospitalized children with acute bronchiolitis admitted to the Hospital São Lucas/PUCRS between May and September 2002 were selected prospectively. Nasopharyngeal samples were assayed for respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza, influenza and adenovirus by immunofluorescence. For rhinovirus test a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction for picornavirus was used, followed by hybridization with rhinovirus specific probes. RESULTS: Forty-five patients were selected for the study. The median age of the subjects studied was 2 months. Positive samples for respiratory viruses were found in 35/45 (77.8%) subjects and 7/35 (20%) patients had dual infection. Respiratory syncytial virus was detected in 33/35 (94%) cases. Rhinovirus was detected in 6/35 patients (17%). CONCLUSIONS: Rhinovirus was the second most common agent detected in nasal secretions from young infants hospitalized with acute bronchiolitis.

Associação entre o polimorfismo no códon 72 da p53 e as lesões pré-malignas e malignas cervicais / Association of codon 72 polymorphism with premalignant and malignant cervical lesions

OBJETIVOS: testar a hipótese de que o polimorfismo no códon 72 do gene TP53 é fator de risco para as lesões pré-malignas e malignas cervicais associadas ou não ao papilomavírus humano (HPV). MÉTODOS: foram incluídas amostras de cérvice uterina, para pesquisa de DNA de HPV e do polimorfismo no códon 72 da p53 com o uso da reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR), de 155 pacientes que se submeteram à biópsia cervical. Foram formados três grupos de acordo com o diagnóstico histológico: lesão escamosa intra-epitelial de baixo grau (LSIL), lesão escamosa intra-epitelial de alto grau (HSIL) e carcinoma cervical. Aquelas pacientes sem alterações displásicas, citológicas e histológicas, foram consideradas controles. Para testar a associação entre o polimorfismo no códon 72 do gene TP53 e os grupos, foi utilizado o teste de chi2. Considerou-se como significativo o intervalo de confiança no nível de 95 por cento (alfa=0,05). RESULTADOS: quarenta pacientes tiveram o diagnóstico histológico de carcinoma cervical, 18 tinham HSIL, 24 tinham LSIL e 73 foram consideradas controles. O genótipo Arg/Arg p53 foi encontrado em 60,0 por cento das pacientes com câncer, 50,0 por cento dos casos com HSIL, 45,8 por cento dos casos com LSIL e em 45,2 por cento dos controles. Não houve diferença significativa entre as proporções de cada genótipo da p53 nos diferentes grupos independente da presença do HPV (chi2: 3,7; p=0,716). CONCLUSÕES: nossos dados não suportam a hipótese de que o polimorfismo no códon 72 do gene TP53 é importante no desenvolvimento de lesões cervicais pré-malignas e malignas associadas ou não ao HPV.

Bronquiolite aguda por rinovírus em lactentes jovens / Rhinovirus and acute bronchiolitis in young infants

OBJETIVO: Determinar a prevalência de infecção por rinovírus em lactentes menores de 6 meses hospitalizados por bronquiolite aguda. MÉTODOS: Foram selecionados de forma prospectiva lactentes hospitalizados com diagnóstico de bronquiolite aguda, no Hospital São Lucas da Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, no período entre maio e setembro de 2002. Foi pesquisada a presença de vírus respiratórios no aspirado nasofaríngeo (ANF), através de imunofluorescência direta para vírus sincicial respiratório, parainfluenza, influenza e adenovírus. Para detecção do rinovírus, foi utilizada a reação de transcrição reversa, seguida de reação em cadeia da polimerase, específicas para picornavírus, seguidas de hibridização com sonda específica para rinovírus. RESULTADOS: Foram selecionados 45 lactentes hospitalizados com diagnóstico de bronquiolite aguda. A mediana da idade dos pacientes selecionados foi de 2 meses. Foram encontradas amostras positivas para vírus respiratórios em 35/45 (77,8 por cento) casos. Foi detectado mais de um vírus em 7/35 (20 por cento) amostras. Das amostras positivas, o vírus sincicial respiratório foi detectado em 33/35 (94 por cento) casos. O rinovírus foi detectado em 6/35 casos (17 por cento). CONCLUSÕES: O rinovírus foi o segundo agente mais freqüentemente detectado em secreção nasal de lactentes jovens hospitalizados por bronquiolite aguda.

Estudo fenotípico e genotípico da resistência aos macrolídeos de "Streptococcus pneumoniae" isolados em hospitais de Porto Alegre - RS / Phenotypic and genotypic study of macrolide resistance of Streptococcus pneumoniae strains isolated in hospitals in Porto Alegre, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a prevalência do S. pneumoniae resistente aos macrolídeos e identificar suas características fenotípicas e genotípicas. MÉTODOS: Amostras de S. pneumoniae isoladas entre maio de 2002 e agosto de 2004, em Porto Alegre (RS), a partir de materiais clínicos coletados de diferentes sítios anatômicos foram analisadas. Para o teste de difusão em ágar foram utilizados discos de eritromicina, claritromicina, azitromicina e clindamicina. As concentrações inibitórias mínimas de eritromicina foram determinadas nos isolados resistentes aos macrolídeos pelo método de diluição em ágar. Os fenótipos dos isolados resistentes aos macrolídeos foram investigados pelo teste de difusão em ágar e a genotipagem pela reação em cadeia da polimerase. RESULTADOS: Foram avaliados 229 isolados de pneumococos, e 12 mostraram-se resistentes aos macrolídeos (5,2 por cento). Entre estes, 9 apresentaram o fenótipo MLSB (75 por cento) e 3 o fenótipo M (25 por cento). A reação em cadeia da polimerase indicou que 8 isolados com o fenótipo MLSB portavam apenas o gene ermB, enquanto que o gene mefE estava presente em todos os 3 isolados com o fenótipo M. Um isolado com o fenótipo MLSB apresentou ambos os genes. CONCLUSÃO: A resistência aos macrolídeos do S. pneumoniae em Porto Alegre permanece baixa, sendo devida principalmente à presença do gene ermB, com expressão do fenótipo MLSB.

Angiotensin converting enzyme ( ACE ) DD genotype: relationship with venous thrombosis

O troemboembolismo venoso (TEV) é uma doenca multifatorial associada com fatores de risco adquiridos e hereditários. Vários polimorfismos, tais como fator V de Leiden, mutacão G20210A da protrombina e as deficiências de proteína C, proteína S e anti-trombina são considerados fatores de risco para TEV. A enzima conversora da angiotensina (ECA) afeta a hemostasia diminuindo a fibrinólise. O polimorfismo no gene da ECA, caracterizado pela insercão/delecão de um fragmento de 287 pb no intron16, está relacionado a variacões nos níveis séricos da enzima. O genótipo DD foi associado com aumento de risco para TEV. Este estudo examinou a freqüência dos alelos I e D e a sua associacão com trombose venosa em um grupo de indivíduos do Sul do Brasil. Foram analisados 71 pacientes com trombose venosa profunda e/ou tromboembolismo pulmonar e 71 indivíduos sem história de trombose. A genotipagem foi realizada através da reacão em cadeia da polimerase. As freqüências do alelo D e do genótipo DD foram, respectivamente, 51,4% e 22,5% para os pacientes, e 64,7% e 45,0% para os controles. A razão de chance (odds ratio = OR) para a hipótese dominante (genótipos DD+ID versus genótipo II) foi 0,75 (IC 95%; 0,29-1,93) e a OR para a hipótese recessiva (genótipo DD versus genótipos ID+II) foi 0,35 (IC 95%; 0,16-0,78). Concluindo, nossos resultados sugerem que o genótipo DD não representa um fator de risco para TEV e pode exercer um efeito protetor para trombose venosa.

Abordagem diagnóstica da Hepatite B / Boarding diagnostic Hepatitis B

Os autores fazem uma revisão bibliográfica sobre a infecção causada pelo vírus da hepatite B nos seres humanos, seus aspectos epidemiológicos e fisiopatológicos; a história natural da doença hepática; seus marcadores sorológicos e moleculares. Abordam ainda o câncer hepático, carcinoma hepatocelular e realizam uma análise dos tratamentos disponíveis até o momento