Cosmology and fundamental physics with the ELT-ANDES spectrograph.

State-of-the-art 19th century spectroscopy led to the discovery of quantum mechanics, and 20th century spectroscopy led to the confirmation of quantum electrodynamics. State-of-the-art 21st century astrophysical spectrographs, especially ANDES at ESO's ELT, have another opportunity to play a key role in the search for, and characterization of, the new physics which is known to be out there, waiting to be discovered. We rely on detailed simulations and forecast techniques to discuss four important examples of this point: big bang nucleosynthesis, the evolution of the cosmic microwave background temperature, tests of the universality of physical laws, and a real-time model-independent mapping of the expansion history of the universe (also known as the redshift drift). The last two are among the flagship science drivers for the ELT. We also highlight what is required for the ESO community to be able to play a meaningful role in 2030s fundamental cosmology and show that, even if ANDES only provides null results, such 'minimum guaranteed science' will be in the form of constraints on key cosmological paradigms: these are independent from, and can be competitive with, those obtained from traditional cosmological probes.

Bacterial translocation and clinical progression of HCV-related cirrhosis in HIV-infected patients.

The aim of the study was to evaluate whether bacterial translocation (BT) predicts the clinical outcome in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients with compensated cirrhosis. A cohort of 282 HIV/HCV-coinfected patients with cirrhosis and no previous liver decompensation (LD) was recruited. Serum levels of the DNA sequences encoding the well-conserved 16S rRNA subunit (16S rDNA), the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and soluble CD14 (sCD14) at diagnosis of cirrhosis were measured. Primary endpoint was the emergence of the first LD and/or death of any cause. Secondary endpoints were LD, liver-related death (LRD) and death of any cause. After a median (Q1-Q3) follow-up of 51 (27-72) months, 67 patients (24%; 95% CI: 19-29) developed their first LD or died during follow-up. Baseline levels of 16S rDNA, LPS and sCD14 were not associated with the probability of developing the primary endpoint of the study. The mean (SD) survival time free of LD and/or death according to levels of 16S rDNA (<83, 83-196, 197-355, >355 [copies/µL]) was 78 (5), 72 (5), 81 (4) and 82 (4) months, respectively (P = .5). The corresponding figures for LPS (<0.1, 0.1-0.6, 0.6-1.5, > 1.5 [IU/mL]) were 76 (5), 71 (5), 77 (5) and 81 (4) months, respectively (P = .4). Baseline levels of BT serum markers were not associated with any of the secondary endpoints analysed in the study. Thus, BT does not seem to be a relevant predictor of clinical outcome in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients with compensated cirrhosis.

Association between IL7RA polymorphisms and the successful therapy against HCV in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients.

Interleukin-7 (IL-7) is a critical factor in maintaining or inducing effective antiviral CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell responses. The aim of this study was to examine the association of interleukin-7 receptor-α (IL7RA) polymorphisms with a sustained virologic response (SVR) after hepatitis C virus (HCV) therapy with pegylated interferon-alpha plus ribavirin (pegIFNα/ribavirin) in 177 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/HCV-coinfected patients. We performed a retrospective study in 177 naïve patients who started HCV treatment. The IL7RA rs6897932, rs987106, and rs3194051 polymorphisms were genotyped by the GoldenGate® assay. An SVR was defined as undetectable HCV viral load through 24 weeks after the end of HCV treatment. The highest SVR rate was found in patients with the rs6897932 CC (p = 0.029) and rs3194051 GG (p = 0.002) genotypes, and HCV genotypes 2/3 (GT2/3) infected patients with the rs987106 AA genotype (p = 0.048). Additionally, carriers of the rs3194051 GG genotype had a higher likelihood of achieving an SVR [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 5.32; 95 % confidence interval (CI) = 1.07-26.94; p = 0.040] than patients with the rs3194051 AA/AG genotype, while rs6897932 CC (aOR = 0.63; p = 0.205) and rs987106 AA (aOR = 0.60; p = 0.213) were not significant. Moreover, three major haplotypes were found: 46.6 % for CTA, 32.4 % for CAG, and 20.7 % for TAA haplotypes. Patients infected with GT2/3 and carriers of the CTA haplotype had lower odds of achieving an SVR (aOR = 0.08; p = 0.004) and the CAG haplotype (favorable alleles) had higher odds of achieving an SVR than other haplotypes (aOR = 21.96; p < 0.001). IL7RA polymorphisms seem to play a significant role in the virological response to pegIFNα/ribavirin therapy in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients, in particular among patients infected with HCV GT2/3.

European mitochondrial haplogroups are not associated with hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment response in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients.

OBJECTIVES: Mitochondria are multifunctional organelles with a key role in the innate immune response against viral infections. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplogroups have been related to AIDS progression and CD4 T-cell recovery in HIV-infected patients, and to a delay in the development of liver fibrosis in HIV/hepatitis C virus (HCV)-coinfected patients. We performed a study to investigate whether mtDNA haplogroups may be associated with HCV treatment response in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients on pegylated interferon (pegIFN) plus ribavirin (RBV). METHODS: We performed a retrospective study in 304 patients who completed a course of HCV therapy. mtDNA polymorphisms were genotyped using Sequenom's MassARRAY platform. The interleukin-28B (IL-28B) polymorphism (rs12980275) was genotyped using the GoldenGate® assay. Sustained virological response (SVR) was defined as an undetectable HCV viral load at week 24 after the end of treatment. The statistical analysis was carried out using on-treatment data. RESULTS: The SVR rates were 52.6% (160 of 304) for all patients, and 37.8% (46 of 201) for patients with HCV genotype 1 or 4 vs. 81.4% (83 of 102) for patients with HCV genotype 2 or 3 (P < 0.001). No significant associations were found between mtDNA haplogroup and SVR when all patients were included in the analysis and when patients were stratified by HCV genotype (i.e. those with genotypes 1/4 and 2/3 analysed separately) or IL-28B rs12980275 genotype. CONCLUSIONS: European mtDNA haplogroups were not related to HCV treatment response in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients on pegIFN-α/RBV therapy.

IL28RA polymorphism (rs10903035) is associated with insulin resistance in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with insulin resistance (IR), although mechanisms leading to IR in these patients are not completely understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of interleukin 28B (IL28B) and interleukin 28 receptor alpha (IL28RA) polymorphisms with IR among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/HCV-coinfected patients. We carried out a cross-sectional study on 203 patients. IL28B (rs8099917) and IL28RA (rs10903035) polymorphisms were genotyped by GoldenGate(®) assay. IR was defined as homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) values ≥3.00. Univariate and multivariate generalized linear models (GLM) were used to compare HOMA values and the percentage of patients with IR according to IL28B and IL28RA genotypes. In total, 32% (n = 65/203) of the patients had IR. IL28B rs8099917 TT was not significantly associated with HOMA values and IR. In contrast, rs10903035 AA was significantly associated with high HOMA values taking into account all patients (P = 0.024), as well as the subgroups of patients with significant fibrosis (P = 0.047) and infected with HCV genotype 3 (P = 0.024). Additionally, rs10903035 AA was significantly associated with IR (HOMA ≥3.00) in all patients (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 2.02; P = 0.034), in patients with significant fibrosis (aOR = 2.86; P = 0.039) and HCV genotype 3 patients (aOR = 4.89; P = 0.031). In conclusions, IL28RA polymorphism (rs10903035) seems to be implicated in the glucose homeostasis because AA genotype increases the likelihood of IR, but this association was different depending on hepatic fibrosis and HCV genotype.

Genetic diversity and population structure of different varieties of Morada Nova hair sheep from Brazil.

The aim of this study was to analyze genetic diversity and population structure among varieties of White (N = 40), Red (N = 32), and Black (N = 31) Morada Nova hair sheep from flocks in the northeastern Brazilian semiarid region. Fifteen nuclear microsatellite markers and two regions of mitochondrial DNA were used. The intra-population analysis demonstrated that the White variety had higher diversity, while the Red variety had the lowest values. The Bayesian analysis to assess the genetic population structure allowed differentiation between White, Red, and Black varieties, and revealed a tendency towards sub-structuring in the White variety flocks from the States of Ceará and Paraíba. The results of analyses of molecular variance showed that the greatest genetic structure was found when comparing flocks rather than varieties (8.59 vs 6.64% of the total variation, P < 0.001). Based on genetic distance, Dtl, both the dendrogram analysis and the principal coordinate analysis showed the formation of two main groups: one composed of White and another of Black and Red individuals. Five and two haplotypes were found for the D-loop region and the ND5 gene, respectively. A haplotype unique to the Red variety was found in the D-loop region and a variety haplotype unique to the Black variety was found in the ND5 gene; however, these frequencies were low and therefore require further validation. These results support the existence of substantial differences between the Red and White varieties and should be used as separate genetic resources and to improve conservation programs.

IL28RA polymorphism is associated with early hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment failure in human immunodeficiency virus-/HCV-coinfected patients.

Due to the poor rate of response to hepatitis C virus (HCV) with pegylated interferon and ribavirin treatment in HCV/HIV coinfected patients, key factors for predicting failure would be useful. We performed a retrospective study on 291 patients on HCV treatment, who had early virological response (EVR) data. IL28B and IL28RA polymorphisms were performed using the GoldenGate(®) assay. Unfavourable genotypes at IL28B (rs12980275 AG/GG and rs8099917 GT/GG) and an unfavourable allele at IL28RA (rs10903035 G) were associated with early treatment failure. However, only the rs12980275 AG/GG genotype and rs10903035 G allele remained independently associated with early failure in the overall population (OR = 4.15 (95% CI = 1.64-10.54) and OR = 2.00 (95% CI = 1.19-3.36), respectively) as well as in GT1/4 patients (OR = 5.07 (95% CI = 1.81-14.22) and OR = 2.03 (95% CI = 1.13-3.66), respectively). Next, a decision tree showed early treatment failure increased from 37.1% to 65.5% when the unfavourable rs12980275 AG/GG and rs10903035 AG/GG genotypes and HCV-RNA≥ 500.000 IU/mL were taken into account in GT1/4 patients. In contrast, the failure rate decreased from 37.1% to 11.9% when the favourable rs12980275 AA and rs10903035 AA genotypes were detected. The percentage of patients correctly classified was 78.4%, and AUROC was 0.802 ± 0.028. Regarding GT3 patients, the presence of the GCGCA haplotype (all unfavourable alleles) was associated with early treatment failure, while no association was observed for the IL28B polymorphisms. In conclusion, the IL28RA polymorphism was associated with early treatment failure independently of the IL28B SNPs. The combination of IL28B and IL28RA polymorphisms might be a valuable tool for predicting early treatment failure before starting HCV treatment.

A site-directed chromosomal translocation induced in embryonic stem cells by Cre-loxP recombination.

We have developed a strategy for chromosome engineering in embryonic stem (ES) cells that relies on sequential gene targeting and Cre-loxP site-specific recombination. Gene targeting was first used to integrate loxP sites at the desired positions in the genome. Transient expression of Cre recombinase was then used to mediate the chromosomal rearrangement. A genetic selection relying on reconstruction of a selectable marker from sequences co-integrated with the loxP sites allowed detection of cells containing the Cre-mediated rearrangement. A programmed translocation between the c-myc and immunoglobulin heavy chain genes on chromosomes 15 and 12 was created by this method. This strategy will allow the design of a variety of chromosome rearrangements that can be selected and verified in ES cells or activated in ES cell-derived mice.

Cleanup strategies and advantages in the determination of several therapeutic classes of pharmaceuticals in wastewater samples by SPE-LC-MS/MS.

This work describes the development and validation of an offline solid-phase extraction with simultaneous cleanup capability, followed by liquid chromatography-(electrospray ionisation)-ion trap mass spectrometry, enabling the concurrent determination of 23 pharmaceuticals of diverse chemical nature, among the most consumed in Portugal, in wastewater samples. Several cleanup strategies, exploiting the physical and chemical properties of the analytes vs. interferences, alongside with the use of internal standards, were assayed in order to minimise the influence of matrix components in the ionisation efficiency of target analytes. After testing all combinations of adsorbents (normal-phase, ion exchange and mixed composition) and elution solvents, the best results were achieved with the mixed-anion exchange Oasis MAX cartridges. They provided recovery rates generally higher than 60%. The precision of the method ranged from 2% to 18% and 4% to 19% (except for diclofenac (22%) and simvastatin (26%)) for intra- and inter-day analysis, respectively. Method detection limits varied between 1 and 20 ng L(-1), while method quantification limits were <85 ng L(-1) (both excluding ibuprofen). This analytical method was applied to gather preliminary results on influents and effluents of two wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) located in the urban region of Porto (Portugal). Typically, paracetamol, hydrochlorothiazide, furosemide, naproxen, ibuprofen, diclofenac and bezafibrate were detected in concentrations ranging from 1 to 20 µg L(-1), while gemfibrozil, simvastatin, ketoprofen, azithromycin, bisoprolol, lorazepam and paroxetine were quantified in levels below 1 µg L(-1). These WWTPs were given particular attention since they discharge their effluents into the Douro river, where water is extracted for the production of drinking water. Some sampling spots in this river were also analysed.

Induction and recall in contact sensivitity. Changes in skin and draining lymph nodes of intact and thymectomized mice.

The cellular events in the ear skin and draining lymph node during the induction of contact sensitivity to 2-ethoxy methylene-5-oxazolone (oxazolone) have been studied in three strains of mice. The principal findings in the skin during the first 24 hr were invasion of polymorphs and destruction of pilosebaceous units, in both intact and thymectomized mice. Subsequently, the dermal cellular infiltrate increased and there was acanthosis of the epidermis. No lymphocytes were seen in the dermis or penetrating the epidermal basal cell layer in thymectomized mice. During the first 24 hr in the draining node, polymorphs and macrophages bearing a pigment with staining properties similar to melanin were seen in the marginal and medullary sinuses, in intact and thymectomized mice. Major differences, however, were revealed during 2-4 days when massive proliferation of large pyroninophilic blast cells occurred in the thymus-dependent area of the nodes from intact mice only. On testing, there was a prompt, measurable increase in ear thickness only in intact mice. This increase reached a peak at 24 hr - typical of a delayed type reaction. At testing, the ears from intact mice showed epidermal vesiculation and a considerable dermal cellular infiltrate with a substantial number of lymphocytes. This was in contrast with the completely quiescent appearance of the ear skin of thymectomized mice. Finally, we have discussed the use of the mouse as an experimental tool for studying contact sensitivity and have analyzed the role of the thymus-derived lymphocyte and the site where it becomes sensitized, in the light of current theory on the origin of cells and site where sensitization takes place in cell-mediated reactions.

Thymus-dependent areas in the lymphoid organs of neonatally thymectomized mice.

Specific areas of lymphocyte depletion, termed thymus-dependent areas, have been delineated in neonatally thymectomized C3H/Bi and F(1) (C57BL x C3H/Bi) mice. They occur within the lymphoid follicles of the spleen immediately surrounding the central arterioles, and constitute the mid and deep cortical zones of the lymph nodes. These depleted areas appear in healthy thymectomized mice as early as 3 wk after operation but, in mice which survive for more than 6 to 7 wk, the thymus-dependent areas are repopulated by rapidly dividing pyroninophilic cells, the majority of which are immature plasma cells. Syngeneic thymus cells, labeled in vitro with tritiated adenosine localize preferentially in the thymus-dependent areas after intravenous injection. Similarly labeled spleen cells also accumulate in these areas but, in addition, are distributed at the periphery of splenic follicles and in the outer cortical zone of the lymph nodes. Many more spleen than thymus cells enter the lymphoid tissues and the spleen appears to be the primary target. The apparent paradox that syngeneic thymus cells are less efficient than spleen cells in restoring neonatally thymectomized mice to normality is discussed in the light of these results and possible routes by which the migrating cells could enter the lymphoid tissues are considered. The origin of the plasma cells which repopulate the lymphocyte depleted areas is also discussed. It is concluded that the normal thymus produces cells which contribute directly to the migratory or circulatory lymphocyte population but that there also exists another source of supply for the plasma cell series. These two systems may function synergistically so that the thymus may control, directly or indirectly, the balance of cell populations within the body.

Trypanosoma caninum n. sp. (Protozoa: Kinetoplastida) isolated from intact skin of a domestic dog ( Canis familiaris) captured in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

An unknown Trypanosoma species was isolated from an axenic culture of intact skin from a domestic dog captured in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, which was co-infected with Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis. Giemsa-stained smears of cultures grown in different media revealed the presence of epimastigotes, trypomastigotes, spheromastigotes, transitional stages, and dividing forms (epimastigotes or spheromastigotes). The highest frequency of trypomastigotes was observed in RPMI (15.2%) and DMEM (9.2%) media containing 5% FCS, with a mean length of these forms of 43.0 and 36.0 mum, respectively. Molecular analysis by sequential application of PCR assays indicated that this trypanosome differs from Trypanosoma cruzi and T. rangeli when specific primers were applied. On the other hand, a PCR strategy targeted to the D7 domain of 24salpha rDNA, using primers D75/D76, amplified products of about 250 bp in that isolate (stock A-27), different from the amplification products obtained with T. cruzi and T. rangeli. This organism differs from T. cruzi mainly by the size of its trypomastigote forms and kinetoplasts and the absence of infectivity for macrophages and triatomine bugs. It is also morphologically distinct from salivarian trypanosomes reported in Brazil. Isoenzyme analysis at 8 loci demonstrated a very peculiar banding pattern clearly distinct from those of T. rangeli and T. cruzi. We conclude that this isolate is a new Trypanosoma species. The name T. caninum is suggested.

IL7RA rs6897932 Polymorphism is Associated with Better CD4+ T-Cell Recovery in HIV Infected Patients Starting Combination Antiretroviral Therapy.

Interleukin-7 receptor subunit alpha (IL7RA) rs6897932 polymorphism is related to CD4+ recovery after combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), but no studies so far have analyzed its potential impact in patients with very low CD4+ T-cells count. We aimed to analyze the association between IL7RA rs6897932 polymorphism and CD4+ T-cells count restoration in HIV-infected patients starting combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) with CD4+ T-cells count <200 cells/mm3. We performed a retrospective study in 411 patients followed for 24 months with a DNA sample available for genotyping. The change in CD4+ T-cells count during the follow-up was considered as the primary outcome. The rs6897932 polymorphism had a minimum allele frequency (MAF) >20% and was in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (p = 0.550). Of 411 patients, 256 carried the CC genotype, while 155 had the CT/TT genotype. The CT/TT genotype was associated with a higher slope of CD4+ T-cells recovery (arithmetic mean ratio; AMR = 1.16; p = 0.016), higher CD4+ T-cells increase (AMR = 1.19; p = 0.004), and higher CD4+ T-cells count at the end of follow-up (AMR = 1.13; p = 0.006). Besides, rs6897932 CT/TT was related to a higher odds of having a value of CD4+ T-cells at the end of follow-up ≥500 CD4+ cells/mm3 (OR = 2.44; p = 0.006). After multiple testing correction (Benjamini-Hochberg), only the increase of ≥ 400 CD4+ cells/mm3 lost statistical significance (p = 0.052). IL7RA rs6897932 CT/TT genotype was related to a better CD4+ T-cells recovery and it could be used to improve the management of HIV-infected patients starting cART with CD4+ T-cells count <200 cells/mm3.

Endothelium-dependent vasodilator effect of Euterpe oleracea Mart. (Açaí) extracts in mesenteric vascular bed of the rat.

Açai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) a fruit from the Amazon region, largely consumed in Brazil is rich in polyphenols. Experiments were undertaken to determine whether hydro-alcoholic extract obtained from stone of açaí induces a vasodilator effect in the rat mesenteric vascular bed precontracted with norepinephrine (NE) and, if so, to elucidate the underlying mechanism. Açai stone extract (ASE, 0.3-100 microg) induced a long-lasting endothelium-dependent vasodilation that was significantly reduced by N(G)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME) and (1)H-[1,2,3] oxadiazolo [4,4-a] quinoxalin-l-one (ODQ) and abolished by KCl (45 mM) plus l-NAME. In vessels precontrated with NE and KCl (45 mM) or treated with K(Ca)(+2) channel blockers (charybdotoxin plus apamin), the effect of ASE was significantly reduced. However this effect is not affect by indomethacin, glybenclamide and 4-aminopiridine. Atropine, pyrilamine, yohimbine and HOE 140 significantly reduced the vasodilator effect of acetylcholine, histamine, clonidine and bradykinin, respectively, but did not change the vasodilator effect of ASE. In cultured endothelial cells ASE (100 microg/mL) induced the formation of NO that was reduced by N(G)-nitro-l-arginine (l-NA, 100 microM). The present study demonstrates that the vasodilator effect of ASE is dependent on activation of NO-cGMP pathway and may also involve endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF) release. The vasodilator effect suggest a possibility to use ASE as a medicinal plant, in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

The effect of thoracic manipulation on pulmonary function in swimmers / Efecto de la manipulación torácica en la función pulmonar de nadadores / Efeito da manipulação torácica na função pulmonar em nadadores

Objective: Spinal manipulation has been used to improve respiratory function in healthy individuals. However, it has been observed that there are no studies in the context of sports activities. The objective of this study was to analyse the effect of thoracic spinal manipulation on forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in one second and maximal voluntary ventilation in swimmers.Method: A randomized controlled crossover study consisting of 21 swimmers, divided into two groups (Intervention vs Control), aged 16 – 24y, where forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in one second and maximal voluntary ventilation were measured in five evaluation moments: at baseline and, 1 minute, 10 minutes, 20 minutes and 30 minutes following the thoracic spinal manipulation procedures.Results: ANOVA tests showed no statistically significant differences for forced vital capacity (p = 0.35) and forced expiratory volume in one second (p = 0.25) among the five evaluation moments. With the maximal voluntary ventilation there was a statistically significant (p = 0.02) reduction, observed between baseline (86.00 litres) and at 10 minutes (79.29 litres) and 30 minutes (76.24 litres). No significant differences were observed between the results of intervention and control groups.Conclusions: In the current study no significant differences were observed in pulmonary function after thoracic spinal manipulation. Future research efforts should examine the effects of different manual therapy techniques and treatment protocols. (AU)

Objetivo: La manipulación espinal se ha utilizado para mejorar la función respiratoria en individuos sanos. Sin embargo, se ha observado que no hay estudios en el contexto de las actividades deportivas. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar el efecto de la manipulación de la columna torácica en la capacidad vital forzada, el volumen espiratorio forzado en el primer segundo y la ventilación voluntaria máxima en nadadores.Método: Un estudio cruzado controlado aleatorio que consta de 21 nadadores, divididos en dos grupos (Intervención vs Control), de 16 a 24 años, donde se midieron la capacidad vital forzada, el volumen espiratorio forzado en el primer segundo y la ventilación voluntaria máxima en cinco momentos de evaluación: al inicio y, 1 minuto, 10 minutos, 20 minutos y 30 minutos después de los procedimientos de la manipulación de la columna torácica.Resultados: Las pruebas ANOVA no mostraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas para la capacidad vital forzada (p = 0.35) y el volumen espiratorio forzado en el primer segundo (p = 0.25) entre los cinco momentos de evaluación. Con la ventilación voluntaria máxima hubo una reducción estadísticamente significativa (p = 0.02), observada entre lo inicio (86.00 litros) y a los 10 minutos (79.29 litros) y 30 minutos (76.24 litros). No se observaron diferencias significativas entre los resultados de los grupos de intervención y control.Conclusiones: En el presente estudio, no se observaron diferencias significativas en la función pulmonar después de la manipulación de la columna torácica. Futuros estudios de investigación deberían examinar los efectos de diferentes técnicas de terapia manual y protocolos de tratamiento. (AU)

Objetivo: A manipulação da coluna vertebral tem sido utilizada para melhorar a função respiratória em indivíduos saudáveis. No entanto, observou-se que não existem estudos no contexto de atividades desportivas. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar o efeito da manipulação da coluna torácica na capacidade vital forçada, volume expiratório forçado no primeiro segundo e ventilação voluntária máxima em nadadores.Método: Estudo aleatorizado controlado cruzado composto por 21 nadadores, divididos em dois grupos (Intervenção vs Controlo), com idades entre 16 e 24 anos, onde a capacidade vital forçada, volume expiratório forçado no primeiro segundo e ventilação voluntária máxima foram medidos em cinco momentos de avaliação: no início e, 1 minuto, 10 minutos, 20 minutos e 30 minutos após os procedimentos da manipulação da coluna torácica.Resultados: Os testes ANOVA não mostraram diferenças estatisticamente significativas para a capacidade vital forçada (p = 0.35) e volume expiratório forçado no primeiro segundo (p = 0.25) entre os cinco momentos da avaliação. Com a ventilação voluntária máxima houve uma redução estatisticamente significante (p = 0.02), observada entre o início (86.00 litros) e as medições aos 10 minutos (79.29 litros) e 30 minutos (76.24 litros). Não foram observadas diferenças significativas entre os resultados dos grupos intervenção e controlo.Conclusões: No presente estudo, não foram observadas diferenças significativas na função pulmonar após a manipulação da coluna torácica. Futuras pesquisas devem examinar os efeitos de diferentes técnicas de terapia manual e protocolos de tratamento. (AU)

[Seroprevalence and risk factors for syphilis in prisoners in Goiás, Brazil]. / Soroprevalência e fatores de risco para sífilis em população carcerária de Goiás.

A cross-sectional survey was carried-out among 299 prisoners in the Penitentiary Center of Industrial Activity of Goiás (CEPAIGO), to determine the seroprevalence to T. pallidum and to identify risk factors associated to seropositivity. The seropositivity criterion was a positive VDRL test at any titer. A questionnaire was applied to evaluate the following risk factors: time of imprisonment, clinical evidence of sexually transmitted diseases (STD), history of syphilis or others STD, homo/bisexuality and number of sexual partners. The positive (PPV) and negative (NPV) predictive values of the history of syphilis were calculated. Seroprevalence of 18.4% was found and no difference was detected in the different age groups. The PPV of history of syphilis was 26% indicating that 74% of the individuals who have reported syphilis in the past presented a negative VDRL test. Among all the risk factors studied, homo/bisexuality was the only one with statistically significant association with seropositivity (relative risks 5.7-95% CL1.2-26, p = 0.03). The paper discusses the methodological problems related with the investigation.

[Seroprevalence and risk factors for hepatitis B virus infection by AgHBs and anti-HBs markers in prisoners and prime blood donors]. / Soroprevalência e fatores de risco para a infecção pelo vírus da hepatite B pelos marcadores AgHBs e anti-HBs em prisioneiros e primodoadores de sangue.

Two cross-sectional surveys on hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection were carried out among 1,033 volunteer first-time blood donors in five blood banks (3 private, 2 public) and among 201 prisoners in the Penitentiary Center of Industrial Activity, in Goiania, Central Brazil, between June 1988 and February 1989. Those surveys were part of a major study designed to estimate seroprevalence of HBsAg and anti-HBsAg markers by ELISA test, and to study risk factors associated with seropositivity. The presence of any serum marker was considered as previous exposure to HBV. A standard questionnaire was applied to both populations to evaluate previous blood transfusion, number of sexual partners, homo/bisexual activity, history of sexually transmitted diseases, drug abusers, use of parenteral medicine, acupuncture, tattooing and VDRL seropositivity. Seroprevalence varied from 12.8% to 26.4% in blood donors and prisoners, respectively, (p less than 0.05) and increased with age (X2 trend=14.0 p less than 0.05%). Prisoners had higher percentages of all risk factors investigated than blood donors, with the exception of number of sexual partners. Among all risk factors studied, age, imprisonment and tattooing were statistically associated with seropositivity, even after multivariate analysis controlling for age and reclusion. The paper discusses the methodologic issues related to this epidemiologic investigation.

[Malignant histiocytosis. Apropos of a case]. / Histiocitose maligna. A propósito de um caso.

The authors report a case of malignant histiocytosis occurring in a 39 year old female patient who presented an ulcerated cutaneous lesion which was the only clinical manifestation for one year and then widespread systemic involvement took place and death ensued. They emphasize the rarity of the condition and point out that erythrophagocytosis in the histopathological examination may be a valuable finding for the diagnosis of malignant histiocytosis.