Expression of DNA repair genes in association with ionizing radiation.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: DNA repair systems are functionally essential for the maintenance of life and among these, we can highlight the MutS system, subdivided into MutSα (hMSH2 and hMSH6) and MutSß (hMSH2 and hMSH3). The objective of this study was to analyze the expression of hMSH2 and hMSH6 repair genes in radiology technicians exposed to low radiation doses. METHODS: Thirty workers occupationally exposed to ionizing radiation and twenty-five non-exposed were included in this study. Gene expression was analyzed by qPCR. Peripheral blood samples were collected from both groups for total RNA isolation. RESULTS: It was observed a five-fold increase (p=0.006) in the hMSH2 repair gene expression in those exposed to radiation and a weak but significant correlation (p=0.041) with the hMSH6 genes when we associated the number of hours of exposure with gene expression. CONCLUSIONS: The longer the exposure time, the greater the activation of this component of the repair system. APPLICATION TO PRACTICE: Blood count parameters could did not alter with radiation exposure. X-rays used by radiology technicians in imaging tests can damage the DNA to the point of activating the MutS repair system and that there is a greater tendency of expression of this system in professionals that had undergone longer exposure.

Environmental factors can influence dengue reported cases / Fatores climáticos podem influenciar nos casos de notificação de dengue

Summary Introduction: Global climate changes directly affect the natural environment and contribute to an increase in the transmission of diseases by vectors. Among these diseases, dengue is at the top of the list. The aim of our study was to understand the consequences of temporal variability of air temperature in the occurrence of dengue in an area comprising seven municipalities of the Greater São Paulo. Method: Characterization of a temporal trend of the disease in the region between 2010 and 2013 was performed through analysis of the notified number of dengue cases over this period. Our analysis was complemented with meteorological (temperature) and pollutant concentration data (PM10). Results: We observed that the months of January, February, March, April and May (from 2010 to 2013) were the ones with the highest number of notified cases. We also found that there is a statistical association of moisture and PM10 with the reported cases of dengue. Conclusion: Although the temperature does not statistically display an association with recorded cases of dengue, we were able to verify that temperature peaks coincide with dengue outbreak peaks. Future studies on environmental pollution and its influence on the development of Aedes aegypti mosquito during all stages of its life cycle, and the definition of strategies for better monitoring, including campaigns and surveillance, would be compelling.

Resumo Objetivo: As alterações globais que têm ocorrido interferem no ambiente natural, influenciando diretamente no crescimento da transmissão de doenças ocasionadas por vetores, das quais se destaca a dengue. O objetivo deste estudo foi compreender as consequências da variabilidade temporal das condições climáticas em relação à ocorrência de dengue na população da região metropolitana de São Paulo, constituída por sete municípios. Método: A caracterização da tendência temporal da dengue foi realizada por meio da análise dos números de casos de dengue notificados nos anos de 2010 a 2013, de dados meteorológicos (umidade e temperatura) e dados de concentração de poluentes (PM10). Resultados: Observou-se que os meses de janeiro a abril (de 2010 a 2013) foram os que apresentaram maior número de casos notificados de dengue, com associação estatística entre a umidade e PM10 com os casos de dengue notificados. Conclusão: Embora a temperatura não assuma, estatisticamente, uma associação com os casos de dengue registrados, foi possível verificar que os picos de temperatura coincidem com os picos epidêmicos de dengue. Seriam interessantes futuros estudos referentes à poluição ambiental e a sua influência no desenvolvimento do mosquito Aedes aegypti em todas as suas fases do ciclo de vida e definição de estratégias para melhor monitoração, campanhas e vigilância.

Environmental factors can influence dengue reported cases.

INTRODUCTION: Global climate changes directly affect the natural environment and contribute to an increase in the transmission of diseases by vectors. Among these diseases, dengue is at the top of the list. The aim of our study was to understand the consequences of temporal variability of air temperature in the occurrence of dengue in an area comprising seven municipalities of the Greater São Paulo. METHOD: Characterization of a temporal trend of the disease in the region between 2010 and 2013 was performed through analysis of the notified number of dengue cases over this period. Our analysis was complemented with meteorological (temperature) and pollutant concentration data (PM10). RESULTS: We observed that the months of January, February, March, April and May (from 2010 to 2013) were the ones with the highest number of notified cases. We also found that there is a statistical association of moisture and PM10 with the reported cases of dengue. CONCLUSION: Although the temperature does not statistically display an association with recorded cases of dengue, we were able to verify that temperature peaks coincide with dengue outbreak peaks. Future studies on environmental pollution and its influence on the development of Aedes aegypti mosquito during all stages of its life cycle, and the definition of strategies for better monitoring, including campaigns and surveillance, would be compelling.