Resonance energy transfer in self-organized organic/inorganic dendrite structures

Hybrid materials formed by semiconductor quantum dots and J-aggregates of cyanine dyes provide a unique combination of enhanced absorption in inorganic constituents with large oscillator strength and extremely narrow exciton bands of the organic component. The optical properties of dendrite structures with fractal dimension 1.7-1.8, formed from J-aggregates integrated with CdTe quantum dots (QDs), have been investigated by photoluminescence spectroscopy and fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy. Our results demonstrate that (i) J-aggregates are coupled to QDs by Förster-type resonant energy transfer and (ii) there are energy fluxes from the periphery to the centre of the structure, where the QD density is higher than in the periphery of the dendrite. Such an anisotropic energy transport can be only observed when dendrites are formed from QDs integrated with J-aggregates. These QD/J-aggregate hybrid systems can have applications in light harvesting systems and optical sensors with extended absorption spectra.

Early development of marine catfishes (Ariidae): from mouth brooding to the release of juveniles in nursery habitats

The development and allometric growth patterns of the ariid catfishes Cathorops spixii and Cathorops agassizii were studied from neurula embryos to juveniles. The ontogenetic sequence revealed that prior to hatching, embryos of both species are well developed, and their axial and appendicular skeletons are well ossified. Embryos of both species grow slowly longitudinally, but positively allometric growth (growth coefficient, β1 > 1) was observed in head width and eye diameter. It is hypothesized that these growth patterns might be related to functional priorities for the development of sensory organs, such as the inner ears (otoliths), the Weberian apparatus, eyes and nostrils, during the embryonic period. The first appearance of vertebrae and otoliths, as well as the ossification of otoliths and the Weberian apparatus, occur earlier in embryos of C. agassizii than in embryos of C. spixii. After hatching, mouth-brooded free embryos of both species grow isometrically. Negatively allometric growth was observed in head width and eye diameter during the yolk-sac period, which is expected given that the sensory organs are already formed. Free embryos of C. agassizii are distinguishable from those of C. spixii by their larger eyes, longer snouts, longer heads and heavier yolk sacs. The end of the yolk-sac period is characterized by a direct change from free embryo to juvenile, without a true larval period. The juveniles of the two species can also be distinguished from each other by the larger eyes of C. agassizii compared with C. spixii, as in adult fishes.

The interaction rainfall vs. weight as determinant of total mercury concentration in fish from a tropical estuary

Mercury loads in tropical estuaries are largely controlled by the rainfall regime that may cause biodilution due to increased amounts of organic matter (both live and non-living) in the system. Top predators, as Trichiurus lepturus, reflect the changing mercury bioavailability situations in their muscle tissues. In this work two variables [fish weight (g) and monthly total rainfall (mm)] are presented as being important predictors of total mercury concentration (T-Hg) in fish muscle. These important explanatory variables were identified by a Weibull Regression model, which best fit the dataset. A predictive model using readily available variables as rainfall is important, and can be applied for human and ecological health assessments and decisions. The main contribution will be to further protect vulnerable groups as pregnant women and children. Nature conservation directives could also improve by considering monitoring sample designs that include this hypothesis, helping to establish complete and detailed mercury contamination scenarios.

Influence of moon phase on fish assemblages in estuarine mangrove tidal creeks

Significant differences in the composition of fish assemblages during different moon phases were detected in mangrove tidal creeks of the Goiana Estuary. The numbers of Zabaleta anchovy Anchovia clupeoides, Tarpon snook Centropomus pectinatus and Guavina Guavina guavina as well as at least 15 other species showed significant changes according to moon phase and were higher in terms of individuals (32%) and mass (34%) during the new moon.

Fish and aquatic habitat conservation in South America: a continental overview with emphasis on neotropical systems

Fish conservation in South America is a pressing issue. The biodiversity of fishes, just as with all other groups of plants and animals, is far from fully known. Continuing habitat loss may result in biodiversity losses before full species diversity is known. In this review, the main river basins of South America (Magdalena, Orinoco, Amazon and Paraná-La Plata system), together with key aquatic habitats (mangrove-fringed estuaries of the tropical humid, tropical semi-arid and subtropical regions) are analysed in terms of their characteristics and main concerns. Habitat loss was the main concern identified for all South American ecosystems. It may be caused by damming of rivers, deforestation, water pollution, mining, poor agricultural practice or inadequate management practice. Habitat loss has a direct consequence, which is a decrease in the availability of living resources, a serious social and economic issue, especially for South American nations which are all developing countries. The introduction of exotic species and overfishing were also identified as widespread across the continent and its main freshwater, coastal and marine ecosystems. Finally, suggestions are made to find ways to overcome these problems. The main suggestion is a change of paradigm and a new design for conservation actions, starting with integrated research and aiming at the co-ordinated and harmonized management of the main transboundary waters of the continent. The actions would be focused on habitat conservation and social rescue of the less well-off populations of indigenous and non-indigenous peoples. Energy and freshwater demands will also have to be rescaled in order to control habitat loss.

Movement patterns of catfishes (Ariidae) in a tropical semi-arid estuary

From December 2005 to November 2006, 216 samples were taken from the main channel of the Goiana Estuary, representing a total sampled area of 23 ha. Ariidae species were the most abundant in density (1600 individuals ha(-1), 53%) and biomass (18,813 g ha(-1), 63%). Cathorops spixii was the most abundant in density (1340 individuals ha(-1)) and biomass (14,203 g ha(-1)). The variables: number of species, total density and biomass, showed significant interactions between the factors of areas and seasons (P < 0.01). The highest total density (7394 individuals ha(-1)) and biomass (70,292 g ha(-1)) occurred in the middle and upper estuaries, respectively, during the early-rainy season. The density of C. spixii differed significantly between areas and seasons (P < 0.01), while Cathorops agassizii differed significantly only between seasons (P < 0.01). The biomass differed significantly for the species C. spixii, C. agassizii and Sciades herzbergii between seasons, and C. spixii and C. agassizii between areas. Also, the density and biomass of C. spixii and C. agassizii showed interaction between areas and seasons. Only the biomass of S. herzbergii showed interaction between areas and seasons (P < 0.01). This indicates that seasonal variations influenced the distribution of Ariidae species in the different areas of the Goiana Estuary. Moreover, canonical correspondence analysis highlighted a strongly significant correlation (P < 0.01) between the seasonal variations of the environmental gradients (salinity and water temperature) and distribution of catfishes. The management and conservation of estuaries should take into account the life cycle of these species in different estuarine areas and hydrological seasons.

Long-term loss of color vision after exposure to mercury vapor

We evaluated the color vision of 24 subjects (41.6 +/- 6.5 years; 6 females) who worked in fluorescent lamp industries. They had been occupationally exposed to mercury vapor (10.6 +/- 5.2 years) and had been away from the source of exposure for 6.4 +/- 4.04 years. Mean urinary concentration of mercury was 40.6 +/- 36.4 microg/g creatinine during or up to 1 year after exposure and 2.71 +/- 1.19 microg/g creatinine at the time of color vision testing or up to 1 year thereafter. All patients were diagnosed with chronic mercury intoxication, characterized by clinical symptoms and neuropsychological alterations. A control group (N = 36, 48.6 +/- 11.9 years, 10 females, 1.5 +/- 0.47 microg mercury/g creatinine) was subjected to the same tests. Inclusion criteria for both groups were Snellen VA 20/30 or better and absence of known ophthalmologic pathologies. Color discrimination was assessed with the Farnsworth D-15 test (D-15) and with the Lanthony D-15d test (D-15d). Significant differences were found between the two eyes of the patients (P < 0.001) in both tests. Results for the worst eye were also different from controls for both tests: P = 0.014 for D-15 and P < 0.001 for D-15d. As shown in previous studies, the D-15d proved to be more sensitive than the D-15 for the screening and diagnosis of the color discrimination losses. Since color discrimination losses were still present many years after the end of exposure, they may be considered to be irreversible, at least under the conditions of the present study.

Serologic immunoreactivity to Neospora caninum antigens in dogs determined by indirect immunofluorescence, western blotting and dot-ELISA

Neospora caninum, is a coccidian protozoan known as a major cause of bovine abortion and canine neuropathies. The aim of the present study was to develop a reliable and quick test to detect antibodies to N. caninum in dog sera. Sixty-five serum samples from dogs, including 35 positive and 30 negative for N. caninum antibodies were used for standardization of the test. In parallel, immunoreactivity of the sera to Toxoplasma gondii antigens was investigated using a passive agglutination test. A dot-ELISA test, using soluble extract of N. caninum tachyzoites on nitrocellulose ester membranes, was developed and standardized. SDS-PAGE and complementary analysis of reactivity by Western blotting were used for the characterization of the immunoreactive fractions of all tested sera. The sensitivity and specificity of the dot-ELISA were 94 and 73%, respectively, compared to IFAT at a cut-off of 1:50, and 87 and 100% compared to IFAT at a cut-off of 1:25. Among the sera that tested positively for both IFAT and dot-ELISA, only 8.6% were reactive to T. gondii. The most immunoreactive fractions in Western blots were the 14-, 33-, 42- and 55 kDa bands, with percentages of 42, 60, 42 and 37%, respectively. The 60 kDa band showed a non-specific reaction in 43% of neosporosis-negative animals by both dot-ELISA and IFAT. These results indicate that the dot-ELISA using N. caninum antigen present good sensitivity and specificity, and might be used as a screening test to detect antibodies to N. caninum in dogs.

Colour vision and contrast sensitivity losses of mercury intoxicated industry workers in Brazil

We evaluated vision loss in workers from fluorescent lamp industries (n=39) who had retired due to intoxication with mercury vapour and had been away from the work situation for several years (mean=6.32 years). An age-matched control group was submitted to the same tests for comparison. The luminance contrast sensitivity (CSF) was measured psychophysically and with the sweep visual evoked potential (sVEP) method. Chromatic red-green and blue-yellow CSFs were measured psychophysically. Colour discrimination was assessed with the Farnsworth-Munsell 100-hue test, Lanthony D-15d test and Cambridge Colour Vision Test. Patient data showed significantly lower scores in all colour tests compared to controls (p<.001). The behavioural luminance CSF of the patients was lower than that of controls (p<.001 at all frequencies tested). This result was confirmed by the electrophysiologically measured sweep VEP luminance CSF except at the highest frequencies-a difference that might be related to stimulus differences in the two situations. Chromatic CSFs were also statistically significantly lower for the patients than for the controls, for both chromatic equiluminant stimuli: red-green (p<.005) and blue-yellow (p<.04 for all frequencies, except 2 cycles per degree (cpd), the highest spatial frequency tested) spatial gratings. We conclude that exposure to elemental mercury vapour is associated with profound and lasting losses in achromatic and chromatic visual functions, affecting the magno-, parvo- and koniocellular visual pathways.

Contrast sensitivity threshold measured by sweep-visual evoked potential in term and preterm infants at 3 and 10 months of age

Although healthy preterm infants frequently seem to be more attentive to visual stimuli and to fix on them longer than full-term infants, no difference in visual acuity has been reported compared to term infants. We evaluated the contrast sensitivity (CS) function of term (N = 5) and healthy preterm (N = 11) infants at 3 and 10 months of life using sweep-visual evoked potentials. Two spatial frequencies were studied: low (0.2 cycles per degrees, cpd) and medium (4.0 cpd). The mean contrast sensitivity (expressed in percentage of contrast) of the preterm infants at 3 months was 55.4 for the low spatial frequency (0.2 cpd) and 43.4 for the medium spatial frequency (4.0 cpd). At 10 months the low spatial CS was 52.7 and the medium spatial CS was 9.9. The results for the term infants at 3 months were 55.1 for the low spatial frequency and 34.5 for the medium spatial frequency. At 10 months the equivalent values were 54.3 and 14.4, respectively. No difference was found using the Mann-Whitney rank sum T-test between term and preterm infants for the low frequency at 3 or 10 months or for the medium spatial frequency at 3 or 10 months. The development of CS for the medium spatial frequency was equally fast for term and preterm infants. As also observed for visual acuity, CS was equivalent among term and preterm infants, suggesting that visual experience does not modify the development of the primary visual pathway. An earlier development of synapses in higher cortical visual areas of preterm infants could explain the better use of visual information observed behaviorally in these infants.

[Multiple sclerosis, spinal cord ependymoma and intracranial meningioma: case report]

We report the association a multiple sclerosis (MS), spinal cord tumour and intracranial tumor in a 63 years-old female patient with a 10 years history of relapsing/remitting MS. Symptoms usually remitted in response to costicosteroid therapy. In 1997 the patient presented with paraparesis and paresis of right arm which did not respond to corticotherapy. A spinal RMI revealed in the cervical spinal an intra spinal cord tumour, further diagnosed as ependymoma, and a parietal region meningioma. We call attention to this rare association of central nervous system tumour and MS, enphasizing the need for investigation of new and uncommon symptoms during the evolution of MS.

Calculated Infrared, Raman, and Rayleigh Properties of the CO(3) Molecule

Properties associated with the infrared, Rayleigh, and Raman spectra of the CO(3) molecule are calculated by the Hartree-Fock and Møller-Plesset perturbation theory methods. Vibrational frequencies and infrared activities are found to be in agreement with the experiment and previous calculations. The values obtained for the Raman spectrum show a very sensitive dependence to the treatment of electron correlation. The OCO wag normal mode, unobserved in the IR experiment, is predicted to have a very small Raman scattering activity. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.

Effect of ventilation systems on prevalence of symptoms associated with "sick buildings" in Brazilian commercial establishments

In this questionnaire study, the authors compared the prevalence of certain symptoms and signs associated with Sick Building Syndrome and perceptions relative to environmental discomfort of employees in a central-air-conditioned dropping center and in natural-ventilation commercial shops located on the streets of Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. There was a statistically significant higher prevalence of symptoms (e.g., water and itching of eyes, sore throat, nose irritation, difficulty breathing, skin irritation, sneezing) that were characteristic of Sick Building Syndrome in the air-conditioned building than in the naturally ventilated stores. The results indicated that there exists a continuing need for further research in Brazilian work environments.

The Bambuí health and ageing study (BHAS): methodological approach and preliminary results of a population-based cohort study of the elderly in Brazil

OBJECTIVE

A cohort study has been designed to identify predictors of adverse health events in the elderly. The methodology of the study and preliminary descriptive results are presented.

METHODS

The study population comprises all residents of Bambuí (Minas Gerais, Brazil), aged 60 or more years (n=1.742). From these, 92.2% were interviewed and 85.9% underwent clinical examination, consisting of haematological and biochemical tests, serology for Trypanosoma cruzi, anthropometric and blood pressure measures and electrocardiogram. Aliquots of serum, plasma and DNA were stored for future investigations. The baseline interview included sociodemographic characteristics, self-referred health condition and history of selected diseases, medication use, health service use, source of medical care, physical activities, smoking, drinking and eating habits, reproductive history, physical functioning, life events, social support and mental health. Individuals are being followed up annually.

RESULTS

The following characteristics predominated among participants: women (60,0%), married (48.9%) or widowed (35.4%), people living in households with up to 2 residents (73.8%), heads of family (76.7%), people with monthly income between 1.00 and 2.99 Brazilian minimum wages (62.0%) and people with up to 4 years of schooling (89.1%). The median age was 68 years. Among the cohort members, only 1.7% were lost in the first follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

In general, the characteristics of the study population were very similar to those from other epidemiological studies of the elderly based on large Brazilian cities. The small number of losses to follow-up indicates that the choice of Bambuí was adequate, assuring the feasibility of a long term cohort study.

[Death of elderly patients in the Santa Genoveva Clinic in Rio de Janeiro: excess mortality that the public health system could have prevented]

From January to May 1996, 156 inpatients died in a clinic for elderly people in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The highest mortality rate was observed in May: 143/1,000 inpatients. As a result, the clinic was closed by the Ministry of Health. This study investigated whether the excessive number of deaths observed in the clinic in early 1996 was unexpected or reflected prevailing conditions. The investigation used the Public Health System database (SIH-SUS). The study period was 01/1993 to 05/1996. The investigation was based on: 1) a time-series analysis of the number of deaths and crude mortality rates and 2) comparison of the mortality rates observed in that clinic with those calculated for 15 area hospitals, defined as the reference rates. Risk of death in the clinic was higher than expected in 28 of the 41 months considered in the study. Highest risks were observed in January 1993 (RRcrude = 2.23; 95% CI 1.56-3. 14) and May 1996 (RRadjusted = 2.73; 95% CI 1.88-3.95). The high mortality rates observed in the clinic in 1996 were already present in 1993. Thus, adequate use of the SIH-SUS could have anticipated and avoided the excess mortality identified in early 1996.

Emergency physician's diagnosis of stroke subtype. An accuracy study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the accuracy of clinical unstructured and structured diagnosis of acute stroke subtypes--cerebral haemorrhage (CH), cerebral infarction (CI), subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH).

METHODS

Sixty consecutive patients with acute stroke admitted to the Emergency Ward of a Brazilian University Hospital were examined by emergency physicians and computerised tomography (CT). We also compared it (physician's unstructured diagnosis) to two published clinical scoring systems (structured diagnosis--Guy's Hospital and Siriraj Hospital) applied to three other populations--regarding the operational characteristics of the tests.

RESULTS

In our personal data, among 9 variables that could discriminate CH and CI, three have statistically significant difference (p < 0.05): headache (p = 0.0002) and vomiting (p = 0.02) occurred more frequently in CH patients, but previous stroke in those with CI (p = 0.04). Unstructured diagnosis proved valid for SAH, with a +LHR = 39.7; and to a smaller degree for CI (-LHR = 0.1). However, it exhibited low sensitivity for the diagnosis of CH. Structured tests (Guy's Hospital and Siriraj Hospital) also failed to confidently diagnose stroke subtypes, especially CH.

CONCLUSIONS

Both clinical diagnosis (made by emergency physicians) and the available diagnostic tests fail to confidently discriminate CH and CI.

[Knowledge and practices regarding stroke at a university hospital: Part 2. Medical education in the new era of treatment of cerebral infarction]

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

This study was undertaken to evaluate professionals working at a University Hospital as to their knowledge and attitudes towards stroke.

METHODS

Individuals working in the hospital were divided in two groups, Health care workers (HCW) and non-Health care workers (NHCW), and further subdivided according to level of schooling, resulting in seven strata. A closed questionnaire addressing epidemiology, risk factors, pathophysiology, typical symptoms, treatment, clinical course and personal attitudes towards smoking and blood pressure control, was applied to a random sample of each stratum (total n = 309). The physicians group included 48 individuals. Kruskal-Wallis test for multiple comparisons of non-parametric data was used. Special attention was given to the wrong answers.

RESULTS

Physicians correctly answered 92.6% of the questions. Their performance was superior to that of all other groups in all subgroups of questions. However, a large number of errors was found in questions addressing mortality and hospital mortality following stroke and the intimate relation between coronary and cerebral atherosclerosis. Treatment options in cerebral infarction are also poorly recognised.

CONCLUSIONS

Although physicians general knowledge about stroke is good, they frequently do not perceive it as a critical disease requiring urgent hospital evaluation and care. The importance of a thorough cardiac evaluation following stroke and of the intimate relation between cardiac and cerebral ischemic disease is also unclear to this group. More hours of stroke teaching and practical training in stroke could possibly fill these gaps.

[Knowledge and practices regarding stroke at a university hospital: Part 1. Education of the nursing staff: priorities for the treatment of cerebral infarction]

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

This study was undertaken to evaluate professionals working at a university hospital as to their knowledge and attitudes towards stroke.

METHODS

Individuals working in the hospital were divided in two groups, health care workers (HCW) and non-health care workers (NHCW), and further subdivided according to level of schooling, resulting in seven strata. A closed questionnaire addressing epidemiology, risk factors, pathophysiology, typical symptoms, treatment, clinical course and personal attitudes towards smoking and blood pressure control, was applied to a random sample of each stratum (total n = 309). Kruskal-Wallis test for multiple comparisons of non-parametric data was used.

RESULTS

Significant differences between the seven groups were found. Knowledge was strongly associated with being a HCW and with level of formal education (p < 0.001), even after excluding physicians from the analysis (p < 0.001). In NHCW groups, knowledge was not associated with level of education (p = 0.421). In these groups, personal fear of suffering a stroke was the only variable predictive of knowledge. Smoking and poor monitoring of blood pressure levels were also more common in strata with the lowest levels of education and among NHCW.

CONCLUSION

Poor knowledge and wrong attitudes towards stroke are frequent among individuals working in a Brazilian university hospital. Although these results are not necessarily applicable to the general population, they will certainly be useful for the development of educational programs on stroke.

[A hierarchical model for analysis of socio-economic variables and water contact patterns associated with the hepatosplenic form of schistosomiasis]

A study of factors associated with the hepatosplenic clinical form of schistosomiasis was carried out in an endemic area (Comercinho, Minas Gerais) where prevalence of Schistosoma mansoni infection was 70.4%. Of the 1,408 inhabitants aged two years and over, 1,162 (82.5%) participated in the study. Socio-demographic characteristics and reasons for water contacts of individuals with the hepatosplenic form (n = 73) were compared to those who did not present splenomegaly and eliminated (positive controls; n + 804) or did not eliminate S. mansoni eggs in stools (negative controls; n = 285). Multivariate analysis was performed, considering the existence of colinearity among socio-economic status of the family, running water in the household, and bathing in streams. The hepatosplenic form in children was strongly associated with occupation of the head of the family (manual workers) (OR = 11.4; 95% CI = 1.4 - 91.8), absence of running water in the household (OR = 7.7; 95% CI = 2.6 - 23.1), and bathing in streams (OR and 95% CI 7.6; 2.5-22.9 and 5.7; 1.3-25.5 for frequencies > weekly and <= weekly, respectively); bathing in streams, which implies intense contacts, was a consequence of the first two factors. Our results suggest that running water in the household can decrease morbidity from schistosomiasis because it reduces the need for intense contacts with streams.

System of optical noncontact microtopography

In this paper we describe a method of noncontact optical microtopography based on discrete triangulation. We show that a light beam with an oblique incidence on a surface can be used to assess the distance of the latter to a reference plane if the bright spot produced on the surface is imaged onto an array of detectors that tracks its lateral displacement. The light beam is swept over the surface so that large areas can be scanned. The authors have used their system with success for the topographic inspection of several surfaces, e.g., thin copper and silver films, polyethylene rough films and molds, graphite, machined metallic parts, and fabrics.

Relationships between titers of antibodies immunoreacting against glycolipid antigens from Mycobacterium leprae and M. tuberculosis, the Mitsuda and Mantoux reactions, and bacteriological loads: implications in the pathogenesis, epidemiology and serodiagnosis of leprosy and tuberculosis

Analysis of cell-mediated immunity [(CMI) as judged from the Mantoux, Fernandez, and Mitsuda reactions and the presence of granulomas in biopsy material] against humoral immunity (measurements of anti-PGL-I, PGL-Tb1, and SL-IV IgG and IgM antibody titers by ELISA) were performed in selected human populations. The investigations yielded data indicating that humoral (B-cell) responses preceded protective CMI in both tuberculosis and leprosy. The B-cell responses were unrelated to (unfavorable) cell-mediated delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH). Notwithstanding the difficulty in inferring sequential events from studies in humans, it was shown that in humoral responses there was an initial rise of specific IgM immunoglobulins that switched afterward to IgG production during subclinical tuberculosis and leprosy infections. In patent tuberculosis disease the IgM-to-IgG switch was observed in the majority of patients; in patent leprosy disease the switch was impaired in the majority of patients. The clinical, immunological, and laboratory data indicated that the B-cell responses were suppressed as protective CMI was re-established in the patients during the protracted subclinical infection. According to the data, the diagnosis of subclinical tuberculosis and leprosy may be accomplished using ELISA. The yearly risk of tuberculosis in apparently healthy persons but with significant antibody titers was estimated at 44%; the yearly risk for leprosy has not yet been established. The clinical, epidemiologic, and diagnostic implications of these findings are discussed.

Exposure to acellular blood products and risk of HIV infection in hemophiliacs from Belo Horizonte, Brazil

Results of a HIV prevalence study conducted in hemophiliacs from Belo Horizonte, Brazil are presented. History of exposure to acellular blood components was determined for the five year period prior to entry in the study, which occurred during 1986 and 1987. Patients with coagulations disorders (hemophilia A = 132, hemophilia B = 16 and coagulation disorders other than hemophilia = 16) were transfused with liquid cryoprecipitate, locally produced, lyophilized cryoprecipitate, imported from São Paulo (Brazil) and factor VIII and IX, imported from Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Europe, and United States. Thirty six (22%) tested HIV seropositive. The univariate and multivariate analysis (logistic model) demonstrated that the risk of HIV infection during the study period was associated with the total units of acellular blood components transfused. In addition, the proportional contribution of the individual components to the total acellular units transfused, namely a increase in factor VIII/IX and lyophilized cryoprecipitate proportions, were found to be associated with HIV seropositivity. This analysis suggest that not only the total amount of units was an important determinant of HIV infection, but that the risk was also associated with the specific component of blood transfused.