Chlamydia pneumoniae and Helicobacter pylori infections and immunological profile of community-dwelling older adults.

Chronic bacterial infections are associated with changes in the immunosenescence process and immunological biomarkers can assist in monitoring these changes. The identification of this immunological profile is important because Chlamydia pneumoniae (C. pneumoniae) and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infections are important factors of morbidity and mortality among the older adults. This study aimed to identify changes in the immunological profile in the presence of C. pneumoniae and H. pylori infections among community-dwelling older adults. This is a cross-sectional study that used data from 1432 participants from the Bambuí Cohort Study of Aging, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The presence of immunoglobulin G (IgG) for C. pneumoniae and H. pylori was considered a dependent variable and assessed in the participants' serum using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In assessing the immunological profile, the following inflammatory markers were considered: CXCL8, CXCL9, CXCL10, CCL2, CCL5, IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, TNF, and CRP. Associations were assessed by logistic regression, estimating odds ratios and confidence intervals (95%) using the Stata® V.13.1 software. The seroprevalence of anti-C. pneumoniae and anti-H. pylori antibodies was 55.9% and 70.3%, respectively. While high levels of anti-C. pneumoniae antibodies were associated with higher concentrations of CXCL10 and IL-10, higher levels of IL-1ß and IL-6 were inversely associated with the titration of anti-H. pylori antibodies. The results characterize immunological profiles associated with these chronic infections and reinforce the potential effects of biomarkers on infections by these bacteria and on the immunosenescence process.

Cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex type 1 infections and immunological profile of community-dwelling older adults.

Chronic infections, such as cytomegalovirus (CMV) and herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), contribute to the inflammation process among older adults and are associated with the immunosenescence process. The aim was to identify the immunological profile associated with CMV and HSV-1 infections among older adults. This is a cross-sectional study, carried out with 1492 participants from the Bambuí Cohort Study of Aging - Minas Gerais, Brazil. For analysis purposes, we considered the presence of immunoglobulin G (IgG) for CMV and HSV-1 in the participants' serum, assessed by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); outcomes were defined by titration above the median (>160 UR/mL for HSV-1 and >399.5 U/mL for CMV). In order to assess the immunological profile, the following biomarkers were considered: IL-1beta, IL-10, IL-12, TNF, CXCL8, CXCL9, CXCL10, CCL2, CCL5, IL-6 and CRP; the first four being categorized as detectable levels or not, and the others using the Classification and Regression Tree (CART) method. The analysis was adjusted for sociodemographic variables, health behaviors and health conditions. The seroprevalence of anti CMV and anti HSV-1 antibodies was 99.4% and 97.0%, respectively. Higher concentrations of CXCL8 and CCL5 chemokines were associated with lower antibody titers for CMV, and higher concentrations of CXCL9, IL-6 and CRP were associated with higher levels of antibodies to CMV. Moreover, intermediate levels of CXCL10 were also associated with higher levels of antibodies to CMV. In HSV-1 infection, intermediate levels of CXCL9, CCL5 and IL-6 were less likely to have higher antibody titers for this infection. On the other hand, higher levels of CXCL10 and CRP were positively associated with higher antibody titers for HSV-1. The results describe important immunological changes and reinforce the potential effect of CMV and HSV-1 on the immunosenescence process.

[A Sweet Drink with Consequences]. / Ein süsser Drink mit Folgen.

A Sweet Drink with Consequences Abstract. Intoxications with ethylene glycol are rare, however, small quantities from the substance can be life-threatening. Regarding the treatment it is important to recognize the intoxication quickly and to immediately start the appropriate treatment. Intoxications with ethylene glycol or with methanol should always be considered as differential diagnosis in patients with severe metabolic acidosis. It is also very important to calculate the osmolal gap.

Padrões de consumo de álcool e fatores associados entre idosos brasileiros: Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde (2013) / Alcohol consumption patterns and associated factors among elderly Brazilians: National Health Survey (2013)

Resumo O objetivo foi analisar o padrão de consumo de álcool entre idosos (60 anos ou mais) brasileiros e sua associação com fatores sociodemográficos, hábitos de vida e condições de saúde. Trata-se de um estudo transversal, realizado com 10.537 idosos (90,1%) participantes da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde de 2013. O consumo de bebidas alcoólicas foi classificado em não uso, uso leve/ moderado e uso de risco. Utilizou-se o modelo de regressão multinomial para o estudo dos fatores associados. A prevalência para uso leve/moderado e de risco foi de 9,4% (IC95%: 8,4-10,6%) e 4,6% (IC95%:4,0-5,3%), respectivamente. Os dois padrões de consumo foram inversamente associados à idade, mais frequentes entre homens, mais escolarizados, fumantes e que praticavam atividade física. O consumo leve/moderado foi menos frequente entre não brancos e entre aqueles com relato de AVC e diabetes, enquanto o consumo de risco foi menos frequente entre idosos com diagnóstico para doenças do coração e mais frequentes entre os que reportaram depressão. Esse resultado identifica perfis de maior vulnerabilidade, com pequenas diferenças entre os padrões de consumo. Essas informações devem ser consideradas na elaboração de propostas para promoção de hábitos saudáveis e controle do abuso de álcool em idosos.

Abstract The scope of this study was to analyze the pattern of alcohol consumption among elderly Brazilians (60 years and over) and their association with sociodemographic factors, lifestyle habits and health conditions. This is a cross-sectional study of 10,537 elderly (90.1%) participants from the National Health Survey of 2013. The consumption of alcoholic beverages was classified as non-use, mild / moderate use and risk use. The multinomial regression model was used to study the associated factors. The prevalence for mild / moderate and risk use was 9.4% (95% CI: 8.4- 10.6%) and 4.6% (95%CI: 4.0-5.3%), respectively. The two consumption patterns were inversely associated with age and more frequent among men, better schooling, smokers and physical activity practitioners. Mild / moderate consumption was less frequent among non-whites and those with a history of stroke and diabetes, whereas risk use was less frequent among the elderly diagnosed for heart disease and more frequent among those suffering from depression. This result identifies profiles of greater vulnerability, with small differences between two patterns of consumption. This information should be considered in the preparation of proposals to promote healthy habits and control of alcohol use among the elderly.

[Alcohol consumption patterns and associated factors among elderly Brazilians: National Health Survey (2013)]. / Padrões de consumo de álcool e fatores associados entre idosos brasileiros: Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde (2013).

The scope of this study was to analyze the pattern of alcohol consumption among elderly Brazilians (60 years and over) and their association with sociodemographic factors, lifestyle habits and health conditions. This is a cross-sectional study of 10,537 elderly (90.1%) participants from the National Health Survey of 2013. The consumption of alcoholic beverages was classified as non-use, mild / moderate use and risk use. The multinomial regression model was used to study the associated factors. The prevalence for mild / moderate and risk use was 9.4% (95% CI: 8.4- 10.6%) and 4.6% (95%CI: 4.0-5.3%), respectively. The two consumption patterns were inversely associated with age and more frequent among men, better schooling, smokers and physical activity practitioners. Mild / moderate consumption was less frequent among non-whites and those with a history of stroke and diabetes, whereas risk use was less frequent among the elderly diagnosed for heart disease and more frequent among those suffering from depression. This result identifies profiles of greater vulnerability, with small differences between two patterns of consumption. This information should be considered in the preparation of proposals to promote healthy habits and control of alcohol use among the elderly.

O objetivo foi analisar o padrão de consumo de álcool entre idosos (60 anos ou mais) brasileiros e sua associação com fatores sociodemográficos, hábitos de vida e condições de saúde. Trata-se de um estudo transversal, realizado com 10.537 idosos (90,1%) participantes da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde de 2013. O consumo de bebidas alcoólicas foi classificado em não uso, uso leve/ moderado e uso de risco. Utilizou-se o modelo de regressão multinomial para o estudo dos fatores associados. A prevalência para uso leve/moderado e de risco foi de 9,4% (IC95%: 8,4-10,6%) e 4,6% (IC95%:4,0-5,3%), respectivamente. Os dois padrões de consumo foram inversamente associados à idade, mais frequentes entre homens, mais escolarizados, fumantes e que praticavam atividade física. O consumo leve/moderado foi menos frequente entre não brancos e entre aqueles com relato de AVC e diabetes, enquanto o consumo de risco foi menos frequente entre idosos com diagnóstico para doenças do coração e mais frequentes entre os que reportaram depressão. Esse resultado identifica perfis de maior vulnerabilidade, com pequenas diferenças entre os padrões de consumo. Essas informações devem ser consideradas na elaboração de propostas para promoção de hábitos saudáveis e controle do abuso de álcool em idosos.

Expansão do Curso de Biomedicina no Brasil entre os Anos de 1998-2014 / Expansion of the Biomedicine Course in Brazil between the Years 1998 and 2014

Objetivo: avaliar a expansão do curso de Biomedicina no Brasil durante a série histórica compreendida entre os anos 1998 e 2014. Metodologia: trata-se de um estudo transversal em que as variáveis de interesse utilizadas foram cursos e vagas, analisadas segundo a natureza jurídica em instituições públicas e privada, por regiões brasileiras. Foram utilizados dados secundários do Sistema de Indicadores das Graduações (SIGRAS) do Ministério da Saúde (MS) para a análise. Resultados: no período de estudo houve crescimento exponencial de cursos e vagas em todas as regiões brasileiras, principalmente na Região Sudeste e na Rede Privada de ensino. Vislumbra- se a necessidade de novos estudos que investiguem a distribuição dos cursos e vagas, do mesmo modo que outras variáveis, com a demanda do mercado de trabalho atual e os determinantes sociais e econômicos que moldam esse processo. Conclusão: observou-se que as duas variáveis analisadas, cursos e vagas, apresentaram crescimento considerável durante o período analisado. Destaca-se que a maior prevalência dos graduandos em Biomedicina concentrou-se na Rede Privada de ensino, porém com a evolução significativa do curso também na Rede Pública. A região de maior notoriedade foi a Sudeste, evidenciando uma desigualdade na distribuição da oferta de cursos e vagas nas outras Regiões. (AU)

Objective: To evaluate the expansion of Biomedicine course in Brazil during the historical series between 1998 and 2014. Material and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study whose variables of interest were courses and positions, analyzed in light of the legal nature of public and private institutions across Brazi. Secondary data from the Health Undergraduate Courses Database System (Sistema de Indicadores das Graduações em Saúde ­ SIGRAS) were used for analysis. Results: In the study period, there was an exponential growth of courses and positions in all Brazilian regions, mainly in the Southeast region and in private institutions. There is a need for further studies investigating the distribution of other courses, as well as other variables, supplying the demand of the job market and the social and economic determinants that shape this process. Conclusion: It was observed that the two analyzed variables, courses and positions, presented considerable growth during the analyzed period. It should be noted that the highest prevalence of undergraduate students in Biomedicine was concentrated in private institutions, but with significant evolution of the courses also in public institutions. The most notable region was the Southeast, showing an inequality in the distribution of courses and positions as compared to the other regions of the country. (AU)