Resumo Objetivo: As pessoas infectadas pelo HIV (HIVI) estão sujeitas a infecção meningocócica e apresentam menor resposta a vacinas. São escassos os dados a respeito da persistência de longo prazo do anticorpo bactericida no soro humano (hSBA) após vacina conjugada meningocócica C (MCC) em HIVI jovens e visamos a descrever essa persistência em HIVI. Métodos: Foram recrutadas pessoas HIVI e pessoas não infectadas por HIV (HIVU), entre 2 e 18 anos, CD4 > 15%. A seroproteção (hSBA ≥ 1:4) basal aos 12–18 meses após a imunização foi avaliada e a associação dos diferentes fatores com a persistência de longo prazo foi calculada com a regressão logística. Resultados: Foram recrutados 145 HIVI e 50 HIVU e imunizados e sua idade média foi determinada em 11 anos (12 no grupo HIVI e 10 no grupo HIVU, valor de p = 0,02); 85 HIVI (44%) apresentaram carga viral indetectável (CVI). A taxa de seroproteção foi 27,2%: 24,1% no grupo HIVI e 36% no grupo HIVU 12-18 meses após imunização (p = 0,14). A imunidade basal [razão de chance (RC) = 7070, IC: 65,2–7666]; CVI no momento da participação (RC: 2,87, IC de 95%: 0,96-8,62) e renda familiar mais baixa (RC: 0,09, IC de 95%: 0,01-0,69) foram associadas a seroproteção entre as pessoas HIVI. Conclusão: A seroproteção aos 12-18 meses após única dose de MCC mostrou-se baixa em ambos os grupos e mais elevada entre as pessoas que apresentaram imunidade basal. Entre as pessoas HIVI, as vacinas devem ser administradas após a CVI ser atingida.

Abstract Objective: HIV-infected individuals (HIVI) are threatened by meningococcal infection and presented lower response to vaccines. Data are scarce on long-term persistence of human serum bactericidal antibody (hSBA) after a meningococcal C conjugate (MCC) vaccine in HIVI youth; the authors aimed to describe this persistence in HIVI. Methods: HIVI and HIV uninfected individuals (HIVU), aged 2–18 years, CD4 >15% were recruited. Seroprotection (hSBA ≥1:4) at baseline and at 12–18 months after immunization was evaluated and the association of the different factors with the long-term persistence was calculated using logistic regression. Results: A total of 145 HIVI, 50 HIVU were recruited and immunized, and their median age was 11 years (median age in HIVI group was 12 years, and 10 years in HIVU group, p-value = 0.02). 85 HIVI (44%) had undetectable viral load (UVL). Seroprotection rate was 27.2%: 24.1% in HIVI and 36% in HIVU 12–18 months after immunization (p = 0.14). Baseline immunity (odds ratio [OR] = 70.70, 95% CI: 65.2–766.6); UVL at entry (OR: 2.87, 95% CI: 0.96–8.62) and lower family income (OR: 0.09, 95% CI: 0.01–0.69) were associated with seroprotection among HIVI. Conclusion: Seroprotection at 12–18 months after single dose of MCC was low for both groups, and higher among individuals who presented baseline immunity. Among HIVI, vaccine should be administered after UVL is achieved.

ABSTRACT Measuring thyroid hormones is an important aspect for the study of metabolism and for monitoring diseases in both human and animal models. The traditional method for hormone measurement in rats is the radioimmunoassay (RIA). However, the RIA is associated with some practical disadvantages, including the use of radioactive material, the need for specialized equipment and expert staff, the short shelf-life of kits according to the half-life of the radioisotope and high costs. The objective of this study was to develop a new cost-effective method for measuring TSH levels in rats that avoids the use of radioactive material. We developed an in-house competitive immunoassay using a reference standard, polyclonal antibody produced in rabbits and biotinylated antigen. This method was tested in 64 Wistar rats that were divided into a control group (n = 41) and a group with hypothyroidism (n = 23). Our assay demonstrated an analytical sensitivity of 0.24 ng/mL (n = 12) and an intra-assay coefficient of variation (CV) of 8.9% for sera with TSH levels of 1.5 ng/mL and 13.2% for sera with TSH levels of 17.5 ng/mL (n = 14). The inter-assay CV was 13.5% for sera with TSH levels of 1.4 ng/mL and 14.5% for TSH levels of 18.2 ng/mL (n = 5). The analysis of mean TSH levels in control rats (5.06 ± 0.5701) and hypothyroid rats (51.09 ± 5.136) revealed a statistically significant difference (p < 0.001) between the groups. This method showed good sensitivity, can be automated and is low-cost compared with RIA. Our method offers a viable alternative for TSH measurement in rats.

The market for hair dye involves a growing range of products, which requires greater understanding of hair properties, mechanisms of action and color development. In this work, we present a critical analysis of the classification, physical and chemical characteristics, chemical analysis and toxicological/mutagenic potential of dyes used in the hair dyeing process. A compilation of some studies was carried out, focusing on the available knowledge about these dyes and their effects on the environment and human health.

Um vírus foi isolado de plantas de soja (Glycine max) cultivadas em Wenceslau Braz, Estado do Paraná, com sintomas de nanismo e queima do broto. O vírus foi caracterizado por meio de hospedeiros diferenciais e propriedades biológicas como sendo um isolado do Tobacco streak virus (TSV). O vírus purificado apresentou três picos em gradiente de sacarose congelado. Anti-soro produzido contra o vírus foi sorologicamente relacionado ao TSV. Microscopia eletrônica detectou partículas esféricas com 28 nm de diâmetro. A proteína do capsídio (PC) apresentou massa molecular de 29.880 Da. Um fragmento de 1028 nt foi amplificado, clonado e seqüenciado. Uma ORF com 717 nt foi identificada e associada com a PC, a qual compartilha 83% de identidade com a seqüência da PC do isolado de TSV de trevo branco (Trifolium repens) (GenBak CAA25133). Este é o primeiro relato da caracterização biológica e molecular de um isolado de TSV de soja. Propõe-se que o isolado seja considerado uma estirpe do TSV denominada TSV-BR.

A virus was isolated from soybean (Glycine max) plants with symptoms of dwarfing and bud blight in Wenceslau Braz County, Paraná, Brazil. The host range and properties resembled those of Tobacco streak virus (TSV). The purified virus showed three peaks in a frozen sucrose gradient. Antiserum was produced and the virus was serologically related to TSV. Electron microscopy detected 28 nm spherical particles. Coat protein (CP) had a Mr of 29.880 Da. A fragment of 1028 nt was amplified, cloned and sequenced. One open reading frame with 717 nt was identified and associated to the CP. The CP gene shared 83% identity with the sequence of TSV CP from white clover (Trifolium repens) (GenBank CAA25133). This is the first report of the biological and molecular characterization of TSV isolated from soybeans. It is proposed that this isolate be considered a strain of TSV named TSV-BR.

No ano agrícola de 2000/2001, ocorreu um surto de nanismo e necrose da haste em soja (Glycine max) plantada em duas áreas do Brasil Central e na safra seguinte, esta anomalia foi constatada em outras regiões produtoras, mesmo distantes mais de 2.000 km de onde fora inicialmente constatada. Estudos envolvendo ensaios de transmissão (enxertia, mecânica e insetos vetores), microscopia eletrônica, purificação, sorologia e ensaios moleculares indicaram que a enfermidade foi causada por um carlavirus transmitido por mosca branca, possivelmente relacionado ao Cowpea mild mottle virus (CpMMV).

Stunting and stem necrosis were noticed in soybeans (Glycine max) grown in 2000/2001 in West Central Brazil the same condition was also observed in the following year in plantations as far as 2,000 km from the initial area. Based on transmission (mechanical, graft, insect vector), purification and serology, electron microscopy and molecular studies the causal agent was determined to be a whitefly-borne carlavirus which is possibly related to Cowpea mild mottle virus (CpMMV).