ABSTRACT The increase of H. pylori resistance to clarithromycin is a concern. This study evaluated the prevalence of H. pylori’s primary resistance to clarithromycin and its association with virulence factors in adult dyspeptic patients and asymptomatic children. The gastric mucosa from patients (153 gastritis, 24 gastric cancer, 21 peptic ulcer) and gastric juice obtained by string test from 24 H. pylori and 23S rRNA positive asymptomatic children were included. The clarithromycin resistance was assessed by TaqMan RT-PCR 23S rRNA point mutations, A2142G and/or A2143G, and H. pylori virulence markers by PCR. Overall, the clarithromycin resistance was 14.4% (32/222), 14.2% in adults, and 12% in children, whereas origin, gender, and disease were not distinctive factors. The most prevalent point mutation was A2143G (62.5%). The point mutation was significantly less frequent in cagA-positive (11.4%) than in cagA-negative (23.6%) strains (p=0.03 OR = 0.4 95%CI = 0.19 - 0.91) as well as in cagE-positive (10.2%), cagE-negative (21.2%) (p=0.03 OR: 0.4 I.C:0.20-0.91). No difference was found in iceA or vacA alleles genotypes. Primary resistance to clarithromycin was lower than that reported in Southeast Brazil. The cagA and cagE positive H. pylori samples have few point mutations suggesting that individuals infected with virulent strains may be more susceptible to anti-H. pylori treatment.

RESUMO O agravamento da poluição atmosférica nos centros urbanos devido ao crescimento das instalações industriais e da frota veicular é um problema que causa danos ambientais, afetando também a saúde humana, principalmente pela inalação de material particulado fino (MP2,5). O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a influência das condições meteorológicas na concentração de MP2,5 em Belo Horizonte, utilizando dados amostrados entre o inverno de 2007 e o outono de 2008. Além disso, foram avaliadas as diferenças dos dados meteorológicos e da concentração do MP2,5 entre as estações do ano nesse período. Para tanto, foram realizados testes estatísticos de correlação entre os dados meteorológicos e a concentração de MP2,5, além de análises de significância para avaliação das diferenças entre esses dois parâmetros nos períodos seco e chuvoso, característicos da área de estudo. Foi observada diferença significativa entre a concentração do MP2,5 nos períodos seco e chuvoso. Foram também observadas diferenças significativas entre os parâmetros meteorológicos (umidade relativa; temperatura mínima, média e máxima; e direção do vento) para esses períodos. Por meio da análise de correlação de Spearman, observou-se correlação significativa entre a concentração do MP2,5 e os parâmetros meteorológicos precipitação e umidade relativa do ar.

ABSTRACT The increase of air pollution in urban centres due to the growth of industrial facilities and vehicular fleet is a problem that causes environmental damage and affects human health, mainly due to the inhalation of fine particulate matter (PM2.5). For this reason, the aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of meteorological conditions on PM2.5 concentration in Belo Horizonte, using data sampled from the winter of 2007 to the autumn of 2008. In addition, the differences in meteorological data and PM2.5 concentration between the seasons of the year in this study’s period were also assessed. For this, correlation statistical tests were performed for meteorological data and PM2.5 concentration, as well as significance analysis to evaluate the differences between these two parameters in the dry and wet periods, characteristic of the study area. It was observed a significant difference between PM2.5 concentration in dry and wet periods. Significant differences were also observed between meteorological parameters (relative humidity, minimum, mean and maximum temperature and wind direction) for these periods. Spearman’s correlation analysis showed a significant correlation between PM2.5 concentration and the meteorological parameters precipitation and relative humidity.

RESUMOOs liquens fazem parte de um grupo extremamente diverso e são componentes importantes em áreas florestais. O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar a composição da comunidade liquênica e verificar os padrões fitossociológicos de táxons ocorrentes em áreas florestais ribeirinhas, na APA do Ibirapuitã, RS, Brasil. O mapeamento dos liquens foi realizado através do método do acetato, em 60 forófitos (palavra masculina que designa árvores que servem de suporte para epífitas) distribuídos em 12 áreas florestais. Foram registrados 254 táxons liquênicos, destes 199 registrados no estudo quantitativo com duas novas espécies para a ciência, três novas citações para o Brasil e 14 novos registros para o Estado do Rio Grande do Sul. A espécie Heterodermia obscurata (Nyl.) Trev. foi a mais importante na comunidade, apresentando maior valor de importância, frequência e cobertura. A boa qualidade ambiental de algumas áreas florestais ribeirinhas, associada à disponibilidade de forófitos adequados e as condições microclimáticas das áreas florestais são fatores que contribuíram para os resultados encontrados. A preservação das florestas ribeirinhas nas áreas analisadas é de vital importância para assegurar a diversidade das espécies como também para a proteção dos cursos d' água do rio Ibirapuitã e seus afluentes.

ABSTRACTThe lichens are part of an extremely diverse group and are important components in forested areas. The aim of this study is to analyze the lichen species composition and investigate the phytosociological patterns of taxa occurring in riparian forest, in the APA of Ibirapuitã, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. The mapping of lichen species was performed using the acetate method, in 60 phorophytes distributed in 12 riparian forest areas. Two hundred fifty-four lichenized fungi taxa were recorded, of which 199 were registered in the quantitative study, with two new species to science, three new citations for Brazil and 14 new records for the state of Rio Grande do Sul. The species Heterodermia obscurata (Nyl.) Trev. was the most important in the community, showing the highest value of importance, frequency, and coverage. The environmental quality of some riparian forest areas, associated with the availability of appropriate phorophyte and microclimate conditions of forest areas are factors that contributed to the results. The preservation of riparian forests in the analyzed areas is of vital importance to ensure the biodiversity of species, but also for the protection of watercourses of Ibirapuitã River and its tributaries.

AbstractThis paper presents a nonlinear stability analysis of piles under bilateral contact constraints imposed by a geological medium (soil or rock). To solve this contact problem, the paper proposes a general numerical methodology, based on the finite element method (FEM). In this context, a geometrically nonlinear beam-column element is used to model the pile while the geological medium can be idealized as discrete (spring) or continuum (Winkler and Pasternak) foundation elements. Foundation elements are supposed to react under tension and compression, so during the deformation process the structural elements are subjected to bilateral contact constraints. The errors along the equilibrium paths are minimized and the convoluted nonlinear equilibrium paths are made traceable through the use of an updated Lagrangian formulation and a Newton-Raphson scheme working with the generalized displacement technique. The study offers stability analyses of three problems involving piles under bilateral contact constraints. The analyses show that in the evaluation of critical loads a great influence is wielded by the instability modes. Also, the structural system stiffness can be highly influenced by the representative model of the soil.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of propranolol on capsular architecture around silicone implants by measuring the inflammation, capsular thickness, and collagen fiber density, using a guinea pig experimental model.METHODS:Thirty six adult male guinea pigs randomly divided into two groups (n=18) were used. Each one received a silicone implant with textured-surface. The capsular tissue around implants from untreated or treated animals with the beta-adrenoceptor antagonist propranolol (10 mg/kg, dissolved in daily water) were analyzed for inflammation by histological scoring, capsular thickness by computerized histometry, and collagen fibers type I and Type III density by picrosirius polarization at different time points (7, 14 or 21 days after silicone implantation).RESULTS: Propranolol treatment reduced inflammation and impaired capsular thickness and delayed collagen maturation around the textured implant.CONCLUSION:Propranolol reduces the risk of developing capsular contracture around silicone implants with textured surface.

OBJETIVO: Discutir as implicações da microlitíase testicular na criança com relação ao risco oncológico envolvido e a possibilidade de cirurgia de preservação testicular em casos escolhidos. DESCRIÇÃO DO CASO: Pré-adolescente apresentava microlitíase testicular e aumento do testículo esquerdo, correspondendo a tumor testicular cístico. Ressecou-se o tumor, com preservação do testículo. O diagnóstico histológico foi de tumor dermoide testicular. COMENTÁRIOS: A relação entre tumores de testículo e microlitíase testicular é mal definida em crianças e há a necessidade de desenvolver protocolos de seguimento específicos para essa faixa etária.

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the relationship between testicular microlithiasis and testis tumors in children and to consider the chances of testis preserving surgery in specific cases. CASE DESCRIPTION: Pre-adolescent presenting testicular microlithiasis and a larger left testis, corresponding to a cystic testicular tumor. The tumor was excised, with ipsilateral testis preservation. Histology diagnosed a testis dermoid tumor. COMMENTS: The relationship between testis tumors and testicular microlithiasis is ill defined in children. Pediatric urologists need to develop specific follow-up protocols for pre-pubertal children.

OBJETIVO: Discutir las implicaciones de la microlitíasis testicular en el niño con relación al riesgo oncológico implicado y la posibilidad de cirugía de preservación testicular en casos elegidos. DESCRIPCIÓN DEL CASO: Pre-adolescente presentando aumento microlitíasis testicular y aumento del testículo izquierdo, con lesión tumoral quística. La lesión fue resecada, con preservación del testículo y diagnóstico histológico de tumor dermatoide testicular. COMENTARIOS: La relación entre tumores de testículo y microlitíasis testicular es mal definida en niños y hay la necesidad de desarrollar protocolos de seguimiento específicos para esa franja de edad.

A infecção por Fusarium solani é afecção fúngica potencialmente grave em pacientes imunocomprometidos, sobretudo naqueles portadores de neoplasias hematológicas. A mortalidade é alta,sendo limitadas as opções terapêuticas devido às condições da imunidade do doente e à relativa resistência do fungo aos antifúngicos utilizados de rotina. O voriconazol tem-se mostrado boa alternativa terapêutica em pacientes neutropênicos que apresentam fusariose refratária ou pouco responsiva à anfotericina B. Neste artigo relata-se caso de fusariose em doente imunocomprometido tratado com sucesso com voriconazol.

Fusarium infection is known to be potentially severe in immunocompromised patients, especially those with hematologic malignancies. Mortality rates are high and there are few therapeutic options, due to the severe underlying condition of this group of patients and the relative resistance of Fusarium to conventional antifungal therapy. Voriconazole has been shown to be an effective antifungal agent for neutropenic patients with fusariosis that are refractory or unresponsive to amphotericin B. We report the successful treatment of disseminated Fusarium infection in an immunocompromised host.