Ozonated oil is effective at killing Candida species and Streptococcus mutans biofilm-derived cells under aerobic and microaerobic conditions.

This study explores the growth of bacterial, fungal, and interkingdom biofilms under aerobiosis or microaerobic conditions and the effect of ozonated sunflower oil on these biofilms. Candida species and Streptococcus mutans were used to study this interaction due to their importance in oral health and disease as these microorganisms display a synergistic relationship that manifests in the onset of caries and tooth decay. Biofilms were developed in a 96-well microtiter plate at 37ºC for 24 h, under aerobiosis or microaerobic conditions, and treated with ozonated oil for 5 to 120 min. All the microorganisms formed biofilms in both oxygenation conditions. Scanning electron microscopy was used to visualize biofilm morphology. Rodent experiments were performed to verify the oil-related toxicity and its efficacy in oral candidiasis. The growth of all Candida species was increased when co-cultured with S. mutans, whilst the growth of bacterium was greater only when co-cultured with C. krusei and C. orthopsilosis under aerobiosis and microaerobic conditions, respectively. Regardless of the oxygenation condition, ozonated oil significantly reduced the viability of all the tested biofilms and infected mice, showing remarkable microbicidal activity as corroborated with confocal microscopy and minimal toxicity. Thus, ozonated oil therapy can be explored as a strategy to control diseases associated with these biofilms especially in the oral cavity. LAY SUMMARY: We demonstrated that ozonated sunflower oil is effective at killing the biofilms formed by Candida species, by the bacterium Streptococcus mutans, or by both micoorganisms that can interact in the oral cavity, making it a potential therapeutic option for the treatment of these infections.

Multicriteria approach to prioritize forest restoration areas for biodiversity conservation in the eastern Amazon.

Due to the global magnitude of forest degradation and deforestation and the high cost of ecological restoration, several approaches have been used to prioritize conservation or restoration areas based on different objectives and criteria. The present work aims to develop a multicriteria approach to defining forest restoration priority areas in the Itacaiúnas River basin, eastern Amazon, that maximizes the criteria equitably. The selected criteria were: improve forest connectivity, provide climatic refuges for biodiversity, mitigate the impacts of deforestation on streamflow, and improve the probability of natural regeneration. A strong difference between selected areas was observed when the criteria of forest connectivity and mitigate the impact on streamflow were considered separately, but greater equity among the criteria was achieved using the multicriteria approach. The most priority areas were concentrated near protected areas. The method used provides a flexible framework, and different criteria or subarea selections can be applied for different purposes to facilitate adaptive management. Analyzing forest restoration prioritization on rural properties can provide guidance for conserving and restoring biodiversity at the landscape scale while complying with legal requirements.

Endometrial angiogenesis induced by uterine insufflation with an oxygen-ozone gas mixture in mares.

Ozone (O3 ) therapy has been used to improve peripheral tissue oxygenation in humans and domestic animals. The goal of the present study was to characterize histological changes in the endometria of healthy equines following tissue exposure to gas mixtures enriched with different concentrations of O3 . Cycling mares without endometrial degeneration were divided into three groups according to treatment (n = 9 mares/group). The uteri from the O3 , ½O3 and control groups were insufflated for 3 min with gas containing 42, 21 and 0 µg O3 ml-1 , respectively. Treatments were performed every three days from D0 to D6. Endometrial samples were collected immediately before the first treatment and 24 hr after the last treatment. The following nine histological parameters were evaluated: (i) the number of endometrial blood vessels, (ii) endometrial vascular degree (EVD), (iii) increase rate of blood vessels, (iv) increase rate of EVD, (v) glandular total area, (vi) glandular lumen area, (vii) intraglandular secretion area, (viii) glandular epithelial height and (ix) luminal epithelial height. In the O3 group, a positive effect from treatment (p < .01) was detected for all vascular parameters (i, ii, iii and iv), glandular total area, intraglandular secretion area and glandular epithelial height. Compared to the control group, the ½O3 group had greater (p < .01) EVD (84.1 ± 12%) and a higher increase rate of blood vessels (151.9 ± 47.1%). Uterine insufflation with low or intermediate concentrations of the O2 -O3 gas mixture induced endometrial angiogenesis. Morphometry, but not morphology, of the endometrial glands was affected by local O3 therapy. These findings would be of great significance for the development of new therapies for infertility in mares.

Luteal vascularity and embryo dynamics in mares during early gestation: Effect of age and endometrial degeneration.

The present study characterized the luteal status and the dynamic of the conceptus during the first 20 days of gestation in mares with different ages and degrees of endometrial degeneration. Total area of the corpus luteum (CL), luteal vascularity, CL area with blood signals, progesterone concentrations (P4), embryonic vesicle diameter, number of embryonic location changes, embryonic fixation position and uterine contractility were evaluated. In Experiment 1, mares ≤6 years of age (Young group, 5.6 ± 0.2 years, n = 7 mares) and mares ≥15 years of age (Old group, 17.2 ± 0.9 years, n = 6 mares) were used to investigate the effect of age. In Experiment 2, the luteal and embryonic parameters were compared between mares with minimal (Mild group, endometrial category I, n = 9 mares) and severe (Severe group, endometrial category III, n = 7 mares) endometrial degeneration. The Old and Severe groups had greater (p ≤ 0.04) total CL area and reduced luteal vascularity (p ≤ 0.04) than the Young and Mild groups, respectively. However, P4 levels and CL area with blood signals were similar (p ≥ 0.8) between the groups. A negative effect of age (p < 0.01), but not of endometrial degeneration (p = 0.6), was found for the embryonic vesicle diameter. The conceptus mobility was high (p > 0.1) until day 14 of gestation in the Severe group, while a reduced number of changes of the embryo location was detected earlier (p < 0.05) in the Old group. In conclusion, the newly formed CL of aged mares and mares with severe endometrial degeneration suffered a structural remodelling to safeguard the local blood supply and the continuous P4 output during early gestation. Moreover, an earlier reduction of the embryonic mobility and a delayed development of the conceptus were associated with advanced age, regardless of the degree of endometrial degeneration.

The In Vitro Effect of Ozone Therapy Against Equine Pythium insidiosum.

The goal of the present study was to characterize the antimicrobial action of different ozone (O3) presentations against Pythium insidiosum isolated from horses. In experiment 1, P. insidiosum was treated with ozonated distilled water, ozonated sunflower oils with distinct peroxide indexes or O3 gas (72 µg O3 mL-1). In experiment 2, samples were exposed one or three times to oxygen (O2) or O3 gas (72 µg O3 mL-1; 30 min/day). In experiment 3, P. insidiosum was treated with different concentrations of O3 gas (Ø, 32, 52, or 72 µg O3 mL-1) for three days (30 min/day). In experiment 4, samples were exposed to O2 or O3 gas (72 µg O3 mL-1) for 05, 15, or 30 minutes during three days. Posteriorly, all samples were cultured for two weeks, and the pathogen growth area was measured until D14. Samples with absence of growth on D14 were recultured to assess the germicidal or germistatic action of the treatment. In experiment 1, only ozonized sunflower oil with a high peroxide index had germicidal action against the pathogen. In experiment 2, samples exposed three times to O3 gas were inactivated. In experiment 3, the O3 therapy had germicidal action against P. insidiosum independently of the gas concentration (P > .1). In experiment 4, O3 treatments ≥15 minutes suppressed the pathogen development, whereas samples exposed to O3 gas for 5 minutes had progressive growth (P < .01). In conclusion, ozonated sunflower oil with a high peroxide index and multiple exposures to O3 gas mixtures were able to inactivate P. insidiosum isolated from horses.

Role of follicular estradiol-17beta in timing of luteolysis in heifers.

The hypothesis was tested that estradiol (E2) from the ovarian follicles controls time of luteolysis. Time of luteolysis was evaluated by multiple measures of corpus luteum (CL) structure (area, volume) and function (progesterone [P4], luteal blood flow). The hypothesis for experiment 1 was that repeated ablation of follicles would reduce circulating E2 and delay luteolysis. Heifers were randomly assigned on Day 9 (Day 0 = ovulation) to three groups. All follicles >or=4 mm were ablated on Day 9 (group FA9; n = 6); Days 9-15 (group FA15; n = 6); or Days 9-21 (group FA21; n = 7). As expected, follicular ablation delayed (P < 0.001) the rise in circulating E2 and peak E2 concentrations (FA9, Day 17.6 +/- 0.7; FA15, Day 20.3 +/- 0.3; FA21, Day 24.9 +/- 0.3). Luteolysis (based on each measure) was delayed (P < 0.005) by repeated ablation of follicles, with earlier luteolysis (based on P4 decrease) in FA9 (Day 15.2 +/- 0.8) than FA15 (Day 16.5 +/- 0.4), and a further delay in FA21 (Day 18.3 +/- 0.5). The hypothesis of experiment 2 was that exogenous treatment with E2 would stimulate prostaglandin F(2alpha) (PGF) secretion and prevent the delay in luteolysis associated with follicular ablations. Follicles >or=4 mm were ablated from Day 9 to Day 17 (n = 15). Heifers were treated on Days 13 and 15 with 1.0 mg of estradiol benzoate (FAE2; n = 7) or vehicle (FAV; n = 8). Treatment with E2 induced PGF secretion (detected by PGF metabolite) and induced earlier (P < 0.02) luteolysis in FAE2 than in FAV, whether determined by circulating P4 or by area, volume, or blood flow of CL. In summary, ablation of follicles (>or=4 mm) delayed and treatment with E2 hastened luteolysis in heifers with ablated follicles. Thus, these results are consistent with an essential role for follicle E2 in timing of luteolysis.

Acute fatal poisoning by spontaneous ingestion of Enterolobium contortisiliquum (Mimosidae) pods in horses.

An outbreak of acute poisoning of horses by Enterolobium contortisiliquum pods is reported in the state of Goiás, Brazil. Three horses presented apathy, hyporexia, prostration, jaundice, recumbency and died in 24-48 hours. The main pathological findings were a yellowish liver with an enhanced lobular pattern, multifocal hepatic necrosis mostly in the midzones of lobules and sometimes with a random distribution across the hepatic lobes and swelling of hepatocytes. E. contortisiliquum trees has a wide distribution in South America and cases of poisoning have not been reported in horses.

Factors associated with health-related quality-of-life in HIV-infected Brazilians.

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome HIV/(AIDS) infection has become a chronic disease. This change led to a growing interest in outcomes focusing on the individual, such as health-related quality-of-life (QoL), to assess the impact of treatments. Our study evaluated the impact of the use of antiretroviral drugs, factors related to the infection and socioeconomic factors on the HQoL of HIV-infected patients. A total of 367 patients answered the questionnaire based on the World Health Organization QoL for HIV brief version. According to the modified-Poisson regression approach, the use of antiretroviral drugs was associated with worse QoL in the domain of the level of independence (P = 0.016). Being unemployed was associated with a worse QoL (P < 0.05) in five out of six domains; the only exception was the domain of spirituality (P > 0.05). Among the factors assessed, the socioeconomic aspects were most significant in determining the HQoL of the patients studied.

Comparative analysis of four commercial on-farm culture methods to identify bacteria associated with clinical mastitis in dairy cattle.

Several multiple-media culture systems have become commercially available for on-farm identification of mastitis-associated pathogens. However, the accuracy of these systems has not been thoroughly and independently validated against microbiological evaluations performed by referral laboratories. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to evaluate the performance of commercially available culture plates (Accumast, Minnesota Easy System, SSGN and SSGNC Quad plates) to identify pathogens associated with clinical mastitis in dairy cows. Milk samples from the affected quarter with clinical mastitis were aerobically cultured with the on-farm culture systems and by two additional reference laboratories. Agreeing results from both standard laboratories were denoted as the reference standard (RS). Accuracy (Ac), sensitivity (Se), specificity (Sp), positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV, respectively) and Cohen's kappa coefficient (k) of on-farm plates were determined based on the RS culture of 211 milk samples. All four plate-systems correctly identified ≥ 84.9% of milk samples with no bacterial growth. Accumast had greater values for all overall predictive factors (Ac, Se, Sp, PPV and NPV) and a substantial agreement (k = 0.79) with RS. The inter-rater agreements of Minnesota, SSGN, and SSGNC with RS were moderate (0.45 ≤ k ≤ 0.55). The effectiveness to categorize bacterial colonies at the genus and species was numerically different amongst the commercial plates. Our findings suggest that Accumast was the most accurate on-farm culture system for identification of mastitis-associated pathogens of the four systems included in the analysis.

Adherence to antiretroviral therapy in children: a study of prevalence and associated factors.

The survival of children with AIDS has increased considerably with the use of more effective antiretrovirals, but the benefits of this therapy are limited by the difficulty of adherence to the treatment. This cross-sectional study aimed to estimate the prevalence of non-adherence to antiretrovirals among children residents in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, and identifying associated factors. There were 194 child caregivers interviewed. The technique utilized to evaluate adherence allowed the detection of lack of understanding of the prescribed antiretroviral regimens, as well as conscious loss of doses. Non-adherence was defined when the child had taken less than 80% of the prescribed medication during the 24 h period prior to the interview. A general prevalence of non-adherence was 49.5%, which was higher than that estimated. The non-institutional caregivers had a prevalence rate of 55.7%, while the institutional caregivers had 22.2%. In multivariate analysis, the education of the caregiver was found to have a borderline association with the outcome. Institutionalized children and those taken care of by people with a higher educational level appeared to have more protection against non-adherence to antiretroviral therapy.

Leprosy in Southern Brazil: a twenty-year epidemiological profile.

INTRODUCTION:: This study evaluated leprosy rates in Rio Grande do Sul, an area with a historically low prevalence. However, recent studies are lacking. METHODS:: Data extracted from a National Database were analyzed for clinical features and compared to 1980s data. Tendency was assessed via stationarity analysis. RESULTS:: Between 1990 and 2011, 4,770 cases were reported (0.21/10,000 inhabitants; 95% CI = 0.19-0.24). Detection was slightly higher among males, 1.9% cases were among children and most multibacillary (74.7%) at diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS:: Leprosy is controlled in RS, but most cases are multibacillary. Early identification is important to avoid disabilities due to late diagnosis.

Driver behavior profiling: An investigation with different smartphone sensors and machine learning.

Driver behavior impacts traffic safety, fuel/energy consumption and gas emissions. Driver behavior profiling tries to understand and positively impact driver behavior. Usually driver behavior profiling tasks involve automated collection of driving data and application of computer models to generate a classification that characterizes the driver aggressiveness profile. Different sensors and classification methods have been employed in this task, however, low-cost solutions and high performance are still research targets. This paper presents an investigation with different Android smartphone sensors, and classification algorithms in order to assess which sensor/method assembly enables classification with higher performance. The results show that specific combinations of sensors and intelligent methods allow classification performance improvement.

Emprego do modelo matemático SEIHDR para auxiliar gestores na estimativa de ocupação de leitos de UTI em uma pandemia: simulação para pacientes com COVID-19 no município de Porto Alegre / Use of the SEIHDR mathematical model to assist health managers in estimating ICU bed occupancy in a pandemic: simulation for patients with COVID-19 in the city of Porto Alegre, Brazil

Introdução: A pandemia de COVID-19, no Brasil, constituiu uma ameaça ao sistema de saúde pelo risco de esgotamento dos leitos de Unidade de Terapia Intensiva (UTI). O objetivo do estudo foi projetar a ocupação de leitos de UTI com casos de COVID-19 no pico em Porto Alegre. Para isso, resolvemos utilizar uma ferramenta matemática com parâmetros da pandemia desta cidade.Métodos:Utilizamos o modelo matemático SEIHDR. Analisamos os casos de hospitalização por COVID-19 em Porto Alegre e RS até 3 de agosto de 2020 a fim de extrair os parâmetros locais para construir uma curva epidemiológica do total de casos prevalentes hospitalizados em UTI. Também analisamos as taxas de reprodução básica (R0) e reprodução efetiva (Re).Resultados: O modelo matemático projetou um pico de 344 casos prevalentes, em UTI, para o dia 22 de agosto de 2020. Calculamos 1,56 para o R0 e 1,08 no dia 3 de agosto para o Re.Conclusão: O modelo matemático simulou uma primeira onda de casos ocupando leitos de UTI muito próxima dos dados reais. Também indicou corretamente uma queda no número de casos nos dois meses subsequentes. Apesar das limitações, as estimativas do modelo matemático forneceram informações sobre as dimensões temporal e numérica de uma pandemia que poderiam ser usadas como auxílio aos gestores de saúde na tomada de decisões para a alocação de recursos frente a calamidades de saúde como o surto de COVID-19 no Brasil.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil has been a threat to health services due to the risk of bed shortage in the intensive care unit (ICU). This study aimed to estimate the bed occupancy at the ICU with patients with COVID-19 during the peak of the pandemic in Porto Alegre, capital of Rio Grande do Sul (RS), the southernmost state of Brazil. To this end, we used a mathematical model with pandemic parameters from the city.Methods: We used the SEIHDR mathematical model. We analyzed hospitalizations for COVID-19 in Porto Alegre and RS until August 3, 2020, to extract local parameters to create an epidemiological curve of the total number of prevalent cases in the ICU. We also analyzed the basic reproduction rate (R0) and effective reproduction rate (Re). Results: The mathematical model estimated a peak of 344 prevalent cases in the ICU on August 22, 2020. The model calculated an R0 of 1.56 and Re of 1.08 on August 3, 2020.Conclusion: The mathematical model accurately estimated the first peak of cases in the ICU. Also, it correctly indicated a drop in the number of cases in the following two months. Despite the limitations, the mathematical model estimates provided information on the temporal and numerical dimensions of a pandemic that could be used to assist health managers in making decisions on the allocation of resources in a state of public calamity such as the COVID-19 outbreak in Brazil.

Luteal changes after treatment with sub-luteolytic doses of prostaglandin (cloprostenol sodium) in cattle.

This study characterizes the physiological and morphological changes related to partial luteolysis in bovine corpus luteum (CL) after challenges with sub-doses of cloprostenol sodium on Day 6 (D6) of the estrous cycle. Cows (n = 12/treatment) were treated as follows: Control (2 mL, saline, i.m.); 2XPGF (two treatments i.m. 500 µg of cloprostenol sodium 2 h apart) and 1/6PGF (83.3 µg of cloprostenol sodium, i.m., once). Plasma progesterone (P4) concentration, CL volume and blood flow were measured immediately before the treatments, then every 8 h (h) for 48 h. In the Control, P4 concentrations were higher at 48 h than at 0 h. P4 decreased 8h after 2XPGF treatment (P < 0.05), and remained low until the end of the trial. P4 decreased in 1/6PGF between 8 and 16 h (P < 0.05), then began to rebound at 24 h. Luteal volume was higher in Controls at 48 h than at 0 h. Under 1/6PGF, luteal volume decreased at 24 h (P < 0.05) and began to rebound at 32 h. Luteal volume and blood flow were reduced starting at 24 and 32 h, respectively, after 2XPGF treatment (P < 0.05). In this study, we were able to describe the partial luteolysis phenomenon, induced by a treatment of a D6CL with cloprostenol sub-dose.

Leprosy in Southern Brazil: a twenty-year epidemiological profile

Abstract INTRODUCTION: This study evaluated leprosy rates in Rio Grande do Sul, an area with a historically low prevalence. However, recent studies are lacking. METHODS: Data extracted from a National Database were analyzed for clinical features and compared to 1980s data. Tendency was assessed via stationarity analysis. RESULTS: Between 1990 and 2011, 4,770 cases were reported (0.21/10,000 inhabitants; 95% CI = 0.19-0.24). Detection was slightly higher among males, 1.9% cases were among children and most multibacillary (74.7%) at diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Leprosy is controlled in RS, but most cases are multibacillary. Early identification is important to avoid disabilities due to late diagnosis.

Speech disorder screening test for children.

BACKGROUND: validation of a screening test to detect speech disorders in children. AIM: to present validation data of a new speech disorders screening test (Terdaf), developed by Brazilian researchers. METHOD: 2,027 children, of both genders, enrolled in the first grade of elementary public schools in Canoas (Brazil) during 2001 were selected by a probabilistic cluster sampling. In order to verify Terdaf's sensibility and specificity, 200 children were re-evaluated by an expert in speech disorders who had no information about the screening test results. RESULTS: prevalence of speech disorders in this sample was of 26.7%. Terdaf s sensibility was of 81.6% (95%CI 67.5 - 90.8%), specificity was of 44.4% (95%CI 36.0 - 53.2%). When children with speech disorders due to sociocultural issues were excluded from the sample with positive Terdaf results, the screening test specificity increased to 74.1%. CONCLUSION: the new tool for speech disorders screening has a quick and easy application format and can be used by education and health professionals. It can become an important ally in the early diagnosis of speech disorders as well as in the prevention of co morbidities associated to speech disorders. A few adjustments are necessary for the application of this test. These are discussed and presented in this article.

Modelo probabilístico para o risco de infecção em doenças de transmissão direta / Probabilistic model for the infection risk in direct transmission of diseases

Introdução: Questiona-se se, em situações em que o indivíduo tem múltiplos contatos ao azar com possíveis portadores de um determinado germe patogênico, o risco de infecção pode ser alto, mesmo quando a prevalência de portadores e a infectividade do germe forem baixas. Objetivos: Objetivou-se estabelecer a probabilidade de um indivíduo tornar-se infectado após um determinado número de contatos com possíveis portadores do germe. Métodos: O trabalho foi desenvolvido de forma totalmente teórica, fazendo uso de análise combinatória, indução e dedução e conceitos da teoria de probabilidades. Resultados: Obteve-se que a probabilidade de um indivíduo infectar-se após c contatos ao azar (com pessoas infectadas ou não) é dada pela expressão, onde é a prevalência da infecção entre os contatantes e é a infectividade do germe. Esta expressão permite inferir que o número de contatos necessários para um indivíduo ser infectado é uma variável aleatória com distribuição Geométrica de parâmetro . Conclusão: Conclui-se, aplicando a expressão deduzida, que a probabilidade de infectar-se pode ser alta, mesmo que a prevalência e a infectividade do germe sejam baixas, desde que ocorra um grande número de exposições à fonte de infecção.

Background: The main question is whether, in situations where the individualhas multiple contacts randomly with possible carriers of a particular pathogenicgerm, the risk of infection can be high even when the prevalence of carriers of thegerm and infectivity are low. Aims: This study aimed to establish the probability of an individual becominginfected after a certain number of contacts with possible carriers of the germ.Methods: The study was conducted in a completely theoretical way, usingcombinatorics, induction and deduction and concepts of probability theory.Results: It was found that the probability of an individual becoming infected after c contactsat random (with infected persons or not) is given by the expression 1 - (1 - πy)c, where πis the prevalence of infection among contacted and y is the infectivity of the germ. Thisexpression allows us to infer that the number of contacts required for an individual to beinfected is a random variable with a Geometric distribution of parameter πy. Conclusion: In conclusion, by applying the expression deduced it was noticed that the probability of becoming infected may be high even though the prevalence and infectivity of the germ are low, provided that there is a large number of exposures to the source of infection.

Acidentes com perfurocortantes e cobertura vacinal contra hepatite B entre trabalhadores da Saúde no Município de Santa Rosa, Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil, 2008 / Perforating injuries and vaccination against hepatitis B among health workers in the Municipality of Santa Rosa, State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, 2008

Objetivo: investigar a cobertura e os fatores associados à vacinação contra hepatite B e descrever a ocorrência de acidentes com instrumentos perfurocortantes entre trabalhadores da Saúde no município de Santa Rosa, estado do Rio Grande do Sul,Brasil, em 2008. Métodos: estudo transversal com 322 trabalhadores; a significância estatística das associações foi avaliada pelo teste de qui-quadrado e a análise multivariada por regressão logística. Resultados: cobertura vacinal de 87,9 por cento; as coberturas vacinais foram menores entre trabalhadores com nível superior (OR 2,13; IC95 por cento: 1,01-4,48), que atuam em hospitais (OR 4,91;IC95 por cento: 1,67-14,47); a prevalência de profissionais imunizados com testagem realizada em até seis meses foi de 78,8 por cento; e 40,5 por cento dos trabalhadores relataram ter sofrido acidente com perfurocortante no trabalho. Conclusão: elevada ocorrência desses acidentes ecobertura insuficiente da vacinação evidenciam a vulnerabilidade dos trabalhadores da Saúde para a infecção pelo vírus da hepatite B e a necessidade de mais investimentos na prevenção de acidentes com instrumentos perfurocortantes.

Objective: to investigate vaccination coverage against hepatitis B and to describe the occurrence of perforating injuries among health workers in the municipality of Santa Rosa, state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, in 2008. Methods: a cross-sectional study with 322 workers; statistic significance of the associations was evaluated by chi-square test and multivariate analysis by logistic regression. Results: coverage of vaccination of 87.9 per cent; less coverage of vaccination was observed in professionals with high school graduation (OR 2.13; IC95 per cent: 1.01-4.48), working in hospitals (OR 4.91; CI95 per cent: 1.67-14.47); the prevalence on immunized professionals with testing performed up to six months was 78.8 per cent; and the rate of injury due perforating instruments, 40.5 per cent. Conclusion: high occurrence of these accidents and insufficient vaccination coverage shows health professionals vulnerability to hepatitis B infection, and necessity of more investments in prevention of occupational infection.

Aplicação da ultrassonografia colorida doppler em programas de transferência de embriões equinos / Potential use of doppler ultrasound in equine embryo transfer programs

Os programas comerciais de transferência de embriões em éguas existem por mais de três décadas e são hoje uma das biotécnias mais utilizadas na reprodução assistida de equinos. O exame ultrassonográfico nos períodos pré e pós-cobertura de doadoras de embriões, assim como a avaliação de receptoras no momento da inovulação é de vital importância para o êxito de um programa de transferência de embriões. A ultrassonografia Doppler é uma técnica não-invasiva que permite a avaliação em tempo real da hemodinâmica do trato reprodutivo de animais de grande porte. Por fornecer detalhes anatômicos e informações imediatas sobre a fisiologia do fluxo sanguíneo de tecidos e órgãos, o exame doppler permite a avaliação do potencial ovulatório de folículos e do status funcional de corpo lúteo e útero, além de ser uma técnica auxiliar para o diagnóstico de distúrbios na hemodinâmica do sistema reprodutivo. Alterações na perfusão sanguínea dos futuros folículos dominantes são detectáveis em diferentes fases de seu desenvolvimento, como na divergência folicular e no período pré-ovulatório. A partir dessas informações, é possível determinar o princípio da atividade sexual e o momento ideal para o início de tratamentos superovulatórios e indutores de ovulação, assim como o momento mais apropriado para a realização de coberturas de éguas doadoras de embriões. A avaliação através do modo-Doppler do corpo lúteo e útero de éguas receptoras é também um instrumento auxiliar para a seleção de animais com perfil sérico de progesterona e ambiente uterino adequados para a sobrevivência do embrião e manutenção da gestação. Essa técnica pode ser útil ainda ao se avaliar a interação concepto-maternal. Apesar da aplicabilidade da tecnologia doppler dentro de programas de transferência de embriões, novos estudos visando a determinar padrões de normalidade e posterior caracterização de distúrbios de fluxo sanguíneo de trato reprodutivo ainda se fazem necessários.

Embryo transfer in mares has been commercially used for more than three decades and it is one of most frequently applied biotechnologies on equine reproduction. Ultrasonic doppler exam of donors during the pre and post-breeding and recipients evaluation at the embryo transfer moment is essential for embryo transfer program success. Doppler ultrasonography is a non-invasive technic that allows real-time evaluation of the reproductive system hemodynamics in large animal. For providing anatomical details and blood-flow physiologic information of vessels and tissues, doppler exam can be used for ovulation prognostication, and to evaluate uterine and luteal functional status. Additionally, it can serve as a diagnostic aid of hemodynamic disturbance in reproductive system. Vascularity changes of future ovulatory follicles precede the diameter deviation. Based on this, it is possible to estimate the beginning of the breeding season and the best moment to initiate superovulatory treatments. Moreover, follicular blood flow can be used to decide the most appropriated moment for ovulation induction and breeding of donors mares. Uterine and luteal evaluation using Doppler-mode in mares can be useful to select embryo recipients with satisfactory progesterone production and adequate uterine vascularity for embryo development and maintenance of pregnancy. The maternal recognition of pregnancy also can be evaluated. Although the applicability of the Doppler technology in embryo transfer programs, additional studies are necessary to determine the standards of normality and to characterize different blood-flow disturbances of the reproductive system.

Teste de rastreamento de alterações de fala para crianças / Speech disorder screening test for children

TEMA: validação de instrumento de rastreamento de alterações de fala em crianças. OBJETIVO: apresentar dados da validação de um teste de rastreamento - Terdaf, desenvolvido por pesquisadores brasileiros, para detecção de alterações de fala em crianças. MÉTODO: foram avaliadas 2.027 crianças de ambos os sexos e matriculadas na 1ª série da rede municipal de ensino de Canoas (RS) em 2001 e selecionadas por meio de amostragem aleatória por conglomerados. Para verificar a sensibilidade e especificidade do teste em estudo, 200 crianças foram submetidas à avaliação de fala por um fonoaudiólogo especialista cego para os resultados do rastreamento. RESULTADOS: a prevalência estimada de distúrbio de fala na população estudada foi de 26,7 por cento. O Terdaf apresentou sensibilidade de 81,6 por cento (IC95 por cento: 67,5 - 90,8 por cento) e especificidade de 44,4 por cento (IC95 por cento: 36,0 - 53,2 por cento). Quando se excluíram dos casos com Terdaf positivo as crianças que apresentaram alterações de fala exclusivamente por questões sócio-culturais a especificidade do teste aumentou para 74,1 por cento. CONCLUSÃO: essa nova ferramenta de rastreamento de distúrbios de fala de fácil e rápida aplicação por profissionais da educação ou saúde pode tornar-se um importante aliado no diagnóstico precoce e prevenção das comorbidades associadas aos distúrbios de fala. Alguns ajustes para a aplicação do teste devem ser feitos e são apresentados neste artigo.

BACKGROUND: validation of a screening test to detect speech disorders in children. AIM: to present validation data of a new speech disorders screening test (Terdaf), developed by Brazilian researchers. METHOD: 2,027 children, of both genders, enrolled in the first grade of elementary public schools in Canoas (Brazil) during 2001 were selected by a probabilistic cluster sampling. In order to verify Terdaf's sensibility and specificity, 200 children were re-evaluated by an expert in speech disorders who had no information about the screening test results. RESULTS: prevalence of speech disorders in this sample was of 26.7 percent. Terdaf´s sensibility was of 81.6 percent (95 percentCI 67.5 - 90.8 percent), specificity was of 44.4 percent (95 percentCI 36.0 - 53.2 percent). When children with speech disorders due to sociocultural issues were excluded from the sample with positive Terdaf results, the screening test specificity increased to 74.1 percent. CONCLUSION: the new tool for speech disorders screening has a quick and easy application format and can be used by education and health professionals. It can become an important ally in the early diagnosis of speech disorders as well as in the prevention of co morbidities associated to speech disorders. A few adjustments are necessary for the application of this test. These are discussed and presented in this article.