Samples of sewage from a university hospital and a chemistry technical school were analysed for the percentage of bacterial tolerance to chromium (Cr), silver (Ag) and mercury (Hg). Additionally, we investigated the effect of these metals on pigmentation and on some enzymatic activities of the metal tolerant strains isolated, as well as antimicrobial resistance in some metal tolerant Enterobacteriaceae strains. Tolerance to Cr was observed mainly in Gram positive bacteria while in the case of Ag and Hg the tolerant bacteria were predominately Gram negative. Hg was the metal for which the percentage of tolerance was significantly higher, especially in samples from the hospital sewage (4.1%). Mercury also had the most discernible effect on color of the colonies. Considering the effect of metals on the respiratory enzymes, one strain of Ag-tolerant Bacillus sp. and one of Hg-tolerant P. aeruginosa were unable to produce oxidase in the presence of Ag and Hg, respectively, while the expression of gelatinase was largely inhibited in various Gram negative strains (66% by Cr). Drug resistance in Hg-tolerant Enterobacteriaceae strains isolated from the university hospital sewage was greater than 80%, with prevalence of multiple resistance, while the Agtolerant strains from the same source showed about 34% of resistance, with the predominance of monoresistance. Our results showed that, despite the ability of metal tolerant strains to survive and grow in the presence of these elements, the interactions with these metals may result in metabolic or phisiological changes in this group of bacteria.

Objective: To measure the levels of stress, anxiety, and depression of nurses working in ICUs, relating them to levels of attention before and after 24 hours. Method: An observational, quantitative, analytical study with 18 nurses undergoing an inventory of stress, anxiety, and depression, as well as assessment of attention levels and psychomotor functioning. Results: Sixty-one percent showed positive for stress. Depression was observed in 33%; and anxiety in 99.9%. A strong correlation between stress and depression (ρ = 0.564 with p <0.05) and anxiety (ρ = 1 with p <0.05) was observed. There was a weak correlation between stress and task execution time in M2 (ρ = 0.055) for TMT A, a fact that did not occur in M0 (ρ = -0.249). Conclusion: The study shows that the workload of the nurses working in 24-hour shifts in the ICU is correlated with high levels of stress, decreases in the attention process, and psychomotor decline. Descriptors: Nurses; Psychomotor Performance; Intensive Care Unit; Cognition; Nursing Care. RESUMO Objetivo: Medir os níveis de estresse, ansiedade, depressão dos enfermeiros que atuam em UTI, relacionando-os com os níveis de atenção do antes e após jornada de 24 horas. Método: Estudo observacional analítico, de abordagem quantitativa, realizado com 18 enfermeiros submetidos a um inventário de estresse, ansiedade e depressão, avaliação dos níveis de atenção e funcionamento psicomotor. Resultados: 61% possuem estresse positivo. Depressão foi verifi cada em 33%; de ansiedade, em 99,9%. Forte correlação entre estresse e depressão (ρ=0,564 com p<0,05) e ansiedade (ρ=1 com p<0,05). Correlação fraca entre estresse e o tempo de execução da tarefa em M2 (ρ = 0,055) para o TMT A, fato que não ocorreu em M0 (ρ=-0,249). Conclusão: O estudo mostra que a carga trabalho dos enfermeiros que atuam em UTI, em turnos de 24 horas, está correlacionada com a elevação dos níveis de estresse, diminuição do processo de atenção e declínio psicomotor. Descritores: Enfermeiros; Desempenho Psicomotor; Unidade de Terapia Intensiva. Cognição; Assistência de Enfermagem. RESUMENObjetivo: Medir los niveles de estrés, ansiedad y depresión en enfermeros actuantes en UTI, relacionándolos con los niveles de atención anteriores y posteriores a jornada de 24 horas. Método: Estudio observacional, analítico, de abordaje cuantitativo, realizado con 18 enfermeros que completaron inventario de estrés, ansiedad y depresión; evaluación de niveles de atención y 74Cognitive changes in nurses working in intensive care units Machado DA, et al.

Introduction: One of the most frequent abnormalities of B cells in common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is reduced number of class-switched memory B cells, suggesting an impaired germinal center response. Therefore, due to its pivotal role in regulating the development of humoral immunity, the objective of this study was to evaluate the role of circulating T follicular helper (cT FH) and circulating T follicular regulatory (cT FR) cells in the pathogenesis of CVID. Methods: cT FH and cT FR cells from CVID patients and healthy subjects were phenotypically characterized by flow cytometry. cT FH and memory B cells from CVID patients and healthy subjects were isolated and cocultured. Results: Our results showed a reduced proportion of cT FH 17 cells in patients with CVID and an increased ratio of cT FH /cT FR cells in CVID patients with autoimmune diseases. Furthermore, the proportion of IL-21-producing cT FH cells was directly related to the proportion of CD27 + IgD − B cells. Interestingly, coculture assay showed that CVID-derived cT FH cells are able to help memory B cells from healthy controls to produce immunoglobulins. Conclusions: The proportions of cT FH 17 and cT FR cells are altered in CVID patients; however, the cT FH function in assisting B cells to produce antibodies in vitro is preserved.

Neuromyelitis Optica and Multiple Sclerosis are idiopathic inflammatory demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system that currently are considered distinct autoimmune diseases, so differences in genetic susceptibility would be expected. This study aimed to investigate the HLA association with Neuromyelitis Optica by a systematic review with meta-analysis. The STROBE instrument guided research paper assessments. Thirteen papers published between 2009 and 2020 were eligible. 568 Neuromyelitis Optica patients, 41.4% Asians, 32.4% Latin Americans and 26.2% Europeans were analyzed. Only alleles of the DRB1 locus were genotyped in all studies. Neuromyelitis Optica patients have 2.46 more chances of having the DRB1*03 allelic group than controls. Ethnicity can influence genetic susceptibility. The main HLA association with Neuromyelitis Optica was the DRB1*03:01 allele in Western populations and with the DPB1*05:01 allele in Asia. Differences in the Multiple Sclerosis and Neuromyelitis Optica genetic susceptibility was confirmed in Afro descendants. The DRB1*03 allelic group associated with Neuromyelitis Optica has also been described in other systemic autoimmune diseases.