ABSTRACT We assessed elemental composition of the liver in mice subjected to one-time or chronic consumption of the juice of vegetables cultivated in a vegetable garden built over deposits of coal waste. Lactuca sativa L. (lettuce), Beta vulgaris L. (beet), Brassica oleracea L. var. italica (broccoli) and Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala (kale) were collected from the coal-mining area and from a certified organic farm (control). Elemental composition was analyzed by particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) method. Concentrations of Mg, S, and Ca of mice subjected to one-time consumption of broccoli and concentrations of these same elements plus Si of mice receiving kale were higher in the coal-mining area. Concentrations of P, K, and Cu were increase after chronic consumption of lettuce from the coal-mining area, whereas the levels of Si, P, K, Fe, and Zn were higher in the group consuming kale from the coal-mining area. Our data suggests that people consuming vegetables grown over coal wastes may ingest significant amounts of chemical elements that pose a risk to health, since these plants contain both essential and toxic metals in a wide range of concentrations, which can do more harm than good.

CONTEXTO: As hepatites virais constituem doença de notificação compulsória e apresentam grande importância em nosso meio devido à elevada prevalência. OBJETIVO: Comparar o perfil epidemiológico dos casos confirmados de hepatites B e C notificados no Núcleo de Vigilância Epidemiológica do Hospital do Servidor Público Estadual de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, no período entre janeiro de 2004 e abril de 2007. MATERIAL: Os resultados foram analisados através do teste do qui ao quadrado. RESULTADOS: Observou-se 112 casos confirmados de hepatite B e 651 de hepatite C. Houve predominância do sexo masculino dentre os casos de hepatite B e do sexo feminino entre os de hepatite C, com significância estatística. A faixa etária mais frequente foi de 30 a 39 anos, considerando-se hepatite B (P<0,01) e 40 a 49 anos para hepatite C (P = 0,49). A astenia foi o sintoma mais relatado. Os fatores de risco predominantes foram: doenças sexualmente transmissíveis (hepatite B; P<0,01), tratamento cirúrgico e transfusão de sangue (hepatite C; P<0,01). A confirmação por critério laboratorial foi predominante e quanto à forma clínica, observou-se evolução para hepatite crônica em 54,5% e 81,7% dos casos, respectivamente para hepatite B e C (P<0,01). A transmissão do vírus B ocorreu predominantemente por via sexual (P<0,01), enquanto o vírus C foi predominantemente transmitido por transfusão (P<0,01). CONCLUSÕES: Os dados referentes ao perfil epidemiológico dos pacientes foram semelhantes aos disponíveis na literatura nacional e internacional. Ressalta-se a importância da vigilância epidemiológica na determinação do perfil das hepatites virais, permitindo que se estabeleçam propostas adequadas de prevenção e rastreamento.

CONTEXT: Viral hepatitis is a disease of compulsory notification and is very important due to its high prevalence. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the epidemiological profiles of hepatitis B and C, reported through surveillance at the "Hospital do Servidor Público Estadual", São Paulo, SP, Brazil, from January 2004 to April 2007. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study revealed 112 confirmed cases of hepatitis B and 651 of hepatitis C. Male gender predominated among hepatitis B while female gender predominated among hepatitis C, statistically significant. Hepatitis B occurred mainly among patients from 30 to 39 years old (P<0.01), and hepatitis C was more frequent among patients from 40 to 49 years old (P = 0.49). Asthenia was the most frequent symptom. The main risk factors were: sexually transmitted diseases (hepatitis B; P<0.01), previous surgery and blood transfusion (hepatitis C; P<0,01). Cases were mostly confirmed through laboratory tests. Chronic hepatitis occurred in 54.5% and 81.7% cases of hepatitis B and C, respectively (P<0,01). Virus B was mostly transmitted by sexual contact (P<0,01); virus C was transmitted mainly by blood transfusion (P<0,01). CONCLUSIONS: The findings were similar to national and international data available. Epidemiologic surveillance plays an important role in determining the viral hepatitis profile in order to provide adequate screening and prevention.