Factors associated with psychoactive substance use among truck drivers

Introduction

The World Health Organization's report shows a growing concern about drug use and road safety worlwide.

Objectives

To identify sociodemographic, health and occupational characteristics associated with use of psychoactive substances among truck drivers.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional study conducted with 354 drivers from January to June, 2016. Data collection was based on a multidimensional questionnaire that included the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST-WHO) and the Self Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20) instruments. The hierarchical approach was adopted for odds ratio (OR) adjustment. The variables that showed statistical significance with p ≤ 0.10 in the bivariate analyzes were selected for the multiple logistic regression analysis performed in the IBM SPSS software (v.19.0).

Results

The use of psychoactive substances in the last three months was associated to low family per capita income (OR, 2.59; 95%CI, 1.23-5.47) and poor self-reported health (1.96; 1.16-3.32), self-reported insomnia (2.9; 1.73-4.87), Common Mental Disorders (3.05; 1.62-5.75) and illness-related absenteeism (1,70; 1.02-2.85). Regarding work characteristics, the use of psychoactive substances in the last three months was observed among those with less than 15 years of work (1.78; 1.07-2.94), daily work journey longer than 6h/day (2.83; 1.69-4.74) and with less than 6 hours of daily rest (1.88; 1.12-3.14).

Conclusions

The results showed worrying vulnerability factors associated with the use of psychoactive substances among truck drivers in Brazil.

Key messages

The survey of 354 truck drivers described the vulnerability and risk factors, which are exposed, as inadequate work conditions associated with the use of psychoactive substances. It showed a greater chance of at least the use of one of the substances (alcohol, cocaine, amphetamine), among truck drivers and the importance in the development of public policies for this worker.

Morphoagronomic characterization and genetic diversity of a common bean RIL mapping population derived from the cross Rudá x AND 277

Recombinant inbred lines (RILs) are a valuable resource for building genetic linkage maps. The presence of genetic variability in the RILs is essential for detecting associations between molecular markers and loci controlling agronomic traits of interest. The main goal of this study was to quantify the genetic diversity of a common bean RIL population derived from a cross between Rudá (Mesoamerican gene pool) and AND 277 (Andean gene pool). This population was developed by the single seed descent method from 500 F2 plants until the F10 generation. Seven quantitative traits were evaluated in the field in 393 RILs, the parental lines, and five control cultivars. The plants were grown using a randomized block design with additional controls and three replicates. Significant differences were observed among the RILs for all evaluated traits (P < 0.01). A comparison of the RILs and parental lines showed significant differences (P < 0.01) for the number of days to flowering (DFL) and to harvest (DH), productivity (PROD) and mass of 100 beans (M100); however, there were no significant differences for plant architecture, degree of seed flatness, or seed shape. These results indicate the occurrence of additive x additive epistatic interactions for DFL, DH, PROD, and M100. The 393 RILs were shown to fall into 10 clusters using Tocher's method. This RIL population clearly contained genetic variability for the evaluated traits, and this variability will be crucial for future studies involving genetic mapping and quantitative trait locus identification and analysis.

Effect of generations and environments in the analysis of a partial diallel to improve bean earliness

The objective of this study was to select genitors based on F1 and F2 generations, evaluated in different environments, to obtain segregating populations for the identification of strains showing improved earliness, yield, and carioca-type grains. Nine bean strains were crossed in a partial diallel scheme (4 x 5), in which group 1 included 4 strains with early cycles and group 2 included 5 elite strains. The F1 and F2 generations and the genitors were assessed in Coimbra and Viçosa in randomized blocks with 3 replications. The following characteristics were evaluated: days between sowing and emergence, and grain yield. We observed an interaction between the effects of general combining ability and specific combining ability with the environments (crop, location, and generation) for both grain earliness and yield. Genetic analysis of earliness revealed a predominance of additive effects and grain yield dominance effects. The strain Goiano Precoce may be used as a genitor in breeding programs to improve earliness, while strains RP1 and VC33 can be used to increase grain yield. We observed genetic complementation between strains Goiano Precoce and RP1, BRSMG Madrepérola and BRS Estilo for earliness and between RP1 and Rosinha Precoce for grain yield.

Hypotensive Effects of the Crotalus Durissus Cascavella Venom: Involvement of NO

Crotalus durissus cascavella is a snake native of northeastern Brazil. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of C. d. cascavella venom on rat mean arterial pressure and vascular reactivity in the mesenteric vascular bed. The venom evoked a dose-dependent decrease in mean arterial pressure, cardiac and respiratory frequency with increased plasma nitrite levels. L-NAME (10 mg/kg) blunted both the hypotension and increased nitrite production observed after the venom administration. To investigate the effects of C. d. cascavella in resistance vessels, the vascular mesenteric bed was studied, and the results suggested that the hypotensive effect of the venom is not dependent on a direct vasodilatory activity. In conclusion, C. d. cascavella venom presented indirect hypotensive effects with the involvement of nitric oxide.

[Evaluation of nutritional recovery pattern of malnourished children examined at the center of Recovery and Educational Nutrition, Brazil]

PURPOSE

To assess the pattern of nutritional recovery in malnourished children. This prospective analysis was conducted between September 1995 and November 1996 at the Center for Recovery and Nutrition Education (CREN) in São Paulo, Brazil. Of the thirty-eight children studied, 47.4% were infants (nine girls and nine boys) and 52.6% preschool children (twelve boys and eight girls).

METHOD

Thirty eight children were studied by velocity of W/A and H/A gain in standard deviation or Z score, according to weight and height median of NCHS.

RESULTS

There was a statistically significant increase in the weight-for-age (W/A)(p = 0.012), height-for-age (H/A) (p = 0.001) from the time of admission. The difference in the velocity of W/A gain between infants (0.299-Z/year) and preschool children (0.684-Z/year) with more than six months of treatment, was found to be statistically significant (p = 0.038). The difference in the velocity of H/A gain for infants (0.794-Z/year) and for preschool children (0.506-Z/year), was not statistically significant (p = 0.166). In regards to gender, there was not a statistically significant difference between boys and girls in the velocity of W/A gain (0.540 and 0.524-Z/year, respectively). The difference in velocity of H/A gain was statistically significant, 0.485-Z/year for boys and 0.856-Z/year for girls (p = 0.043).

CONCLUSION

These findings show that there are differences in the nutritional recovery patterns between gender and age groups.

[Breastfeeding in shantytowns: an educational program through home visits]

This is a study of breastfeeding length, with and without a community educational program. It was done through home visits to 125 women residing in Vila Marianaís shantytowns in the city of São Paulo. It was found that breastfeeding lasts an average of more than 6 months after the educational intervention. When comparing the group that received education with the one that didnít, it was observed that in the former the percentage of children breastfed for 6 months or longer was 64%, while in the control group it was 17% (p < 0.001). This shows a significant increase in the number of mothers who nursed their children after an educational program promoting breastfeeding.

The involvement of macrophage-derived tumour necrosis factor and lipoxygenase products on the neutrophil recruitment induced by Clostridium difficile toxin B

Clostridium difficile (Cd) toxins appear to mediate the inflammatory response in pseudomembranous colitis and/or colitis associated with the use of antibiotics. In contrast to Cd Toxin A (TxA), Cd Toxin B (TxB) has been reported not to promote fluid secretion or morphological damage in rabbits and hamsters and also does not induce neutrophil chemotaxis in vitro. However, TxB is about 1000 times more potent than TxA in stimulating the release of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) by cultured monocytes. In the present study, we investigated the ability of TxB to promote neutrophil migration into peritoneal cavities and subcutaneous air-pouches of rats. We also examined the role of resident peritoneal cells in this process as well as the inflammatory mediators involved. TxB caused a significant and dose-dependent neutrophil influx with a maximal response at 0.1 microgram/cavity after 4 hr. Depleting the peritoneal resident cell population by washing the peritoneal cavity or increasing this population by pretreating the animals with thioglycollate blocked and amplified the TxB-induced neutrophil migration, respectively. Pretreating the animals with MK886 (a lipoxygenase inhibitor), NDGA (a dual cyclo- and lipoxygenase inhibitor) or the glucocorticoid, dexamethasone, but not with indomethacin (a cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor), or BN52021 (a platelet-activating factor antagonist), inhibited the neutrophil migration evoked by TxB. Pretreatment with dexamethasone or the administration of anti-TNF-alpha serum into the air-pouches also significantly reduced the TxB-induced neutrophil migration. Supernatants from TxB-stimulated macrophages induced neutrophil migration when injected into the rat peritoneal cavity. This effect was attenuated by the addition of either MK886 or dexamethasone to the macrophage monolayer and by preincubating the supernatants with anti-TNF-alpha serum. TxB also stimulated the release of TNF-alpha by macrophages. Overall, these results suggest that TxB induces an intense neutrophil migration which is mediated by macrophage-derived TNF-alpha and lipoxygenase products.

Role of tumor necrosis factor and nitric oxide in the cytotoxic effects of Clostridium difficile toxin A and toxin B on macrophages

Clostridium difficile, the bacterium involved in antibiotic-associated colitis, produces two exotoxins, toxin A (TxA) and toxin B (TxB). Although these toxins are well recognized as being cytotoxic to several mammalian cell types, the mechanisms involved are not fully understood. The aim of the present investigation was to examine the cytotoxicity of TxA and TxB to peritoneal macrophages in culture and to investigate whether tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and nitric oxide (NO) are involved in the process. As a control, the effect of E. coli LPS was also investigated. TxA, TxB and LPS were dose-dependently cytotoxic to macrophage monolayers, with TxB being the most potent. All of the toxins stimulated the release of TNF-alpha from macrophages. TxB was again the most active in inducing this response. The TNF-alpha released appears to be involved in the action of LPS and TxA, but not of TxB, since a mAb against TNF-alpha inhibited the cytotoxicity of the former two but had no effect on the latter. NO is not involved in the effects of TxA and TxB since these toxins did not induce the production of this mediator in macrophages, even in the presence of IFN-gamma. In addition, L-imino-ethyl-L-ornithine (L-NIO), a NO synthase inhibitor, did not modify the macrophage death caused by TxA or TxB. Although LPS was able to induce the production of high amounts of NO, NO did not mediate the LPS cytotoxicity since L-NIO did not influence the degree of macrophage death caused by LPS. TxA and TxB therefore appear to exert cytotoxic effects on cultured macrophages by different mechanisms. TNF-alpha is involved in TxA and LPS-mediated cytotoxicity but not in the toxicity caused by TxB. NO is not involved in the killing action of any of these toxins.

Role of pertussis toxin A subunit in neutrophil migration and vascular permeability

The anti-inflammatory activity of pertussis toxin (Ptx) was compared to that of a noncatalytic mutant of pertussis toxin (9K/129G; Ptxm), which contains two amino acid substitutions in the A protomer, by using a rat model of inflammation. The toxins were administered intravenously 1 h prior to the injection of inflammatory stimuli. Ptx, but not Ptxm, inhibited neutrophil migration into peritoneal cavities in response to formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine and lipopolysaccharide. The inhibitory effect of Ptx on neutrophil migration could not be explained by the ability of the toxin to induce leukopenia or neutropenia. The increase in skin vascular permeability induced by leukotriene B4, a powerful neutrophil chemotactic agent, was also inhibited only by Ptx. On the other hand, the increase in skin vascular permeability induced by histamine was potentiated by both toxins. These data show that Ptx inhibits neutrophil-mediated inflammation in vivo and that this effect is dependent on the ADP-ribosyltransferase activity of the A protomer.

Role of resident mast cells and macrophages in the neutrophil migration induced by LTB4, fMLP and C5a des arg

In the present study, we have investigated the participation of resident peritoneal cells (macrophages and mast cells) in the neutrophil migration induced in rats by the intraperitoneal administration of LTB4, fMLP or C5a des arg. The intraperitoneal injection of LTB4 (10 nmol), fMLP (10 nmol) and C5a des arg (zymosan-activated plasma, 1 ml) caused an intense neutrophil migration compared to the saline control (1,000, 1,500 and 2,000%, respectively). An 83% depletion in the number of resident cells following peritoneal lavage reduced the LTB4-stimulated neutrophil migration by 73.6% without affecting that caused by fMLP and C5a des arg. Increasing the peritoneal macrophage population (236%) by pretreating the cavities with thioglycollate enhanced the neutrophil migration induced by LTB4 (129%), but did not alter that induced by fMLP and C5a des arg. Similarly, reducing the population of peritoneal mast cells containing toluidine-blue-staining granules by subchronically pretreating the cavities with compound 48/80 diminished the LTB4-induced NM by 69% but had no effect on the responses to fMLP and C5a des arg. Pretreating the animals with dexamethasone strongly inhibited (70%) the neutrophil migration induced by the intraperitoneal injection of LTB4, fMLP and C5a des arg. Indomethacin, BW A4C and NDGA had no such effect. The incubating medium from peritoneal macrophages and mast cells stimulated with LTB4 induced neutrophil migration when injected into the peritoneal cavity of rats. This migration was strongly reduced (70%) by treating the cells with dexamethasone. In contrast, stimulating the cells with fMLP or C5a des arg did not result in the release of any promigratory activity into the incubating fluid. Our results suggest that LTB4 induces neutrophil migration via a mechanism dependent on resident mast cells and macrophages while that induced by C5a des arg and fMLP seems to be independent of such cellular involvement. The neutrophil migration induced by LTB4 is apparently mediated by factor(s) whose release is blocked by dexamethasone. fMLP and C5a appear to cause in vivo migration by the formation of a concentration gradient and by a glucocorticoid-sensitive mechanism different from that stimulated by LTB4.

Deficit of T-cell recovery after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation in chronic myeloid leukemia patients

The immunological reconstitution that follows bone marrow transplantation (BMT) was studied in 40 leukaemia patients: 19 with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML), 12 with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and the remaining 9 with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). The recovery of the CML group was slower than that of the ALL and AML groups. This difference was produced by the T cell compartment, as NK cell activity and B cell numbers did not differ significantly. Factors such as conditioning treatment and graft versus host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis were analysed. Our experience suggests that all leukaemia patients should not be considered as one group when analysing their immunological reconstitution, as factors related to the original disease may affect their outcome.

Pertussis toxin from Bordetella pertussis blocks neutrophil migration and neutrophil-dependent edema in response to inflammation

Pertussis toxin (Ptx) is a hexameric protein with classical AB architecture produced by Bordetella pertussis. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Ptx on migration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes to site of inflammation and on cell-dependent edema. Ptx was purified from the supernatant of the culture medium of B. pertussis using hydroxylapatite chromatography and fetuin affinity chromatography. Ptx induced a maximal clustering of Chinese hamster ovary cells at concentrations as low as 0.1 ng/ml. Intravenous injection of Ptx (400 ng) significantly blocked the neutrophil migration induced by 200 ng of lipopolysaccharide (LPS from E. coli O111:B4; 2.27 +/- 0.13 vs 0.61 +/- 0.16 per 10(6) neutrophils/ml; P < 0.001; N = 5) and by 200 ng of formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP; 2.53 +/- 0.45 vs 0.75 +/- 0.14 per 10(6) neutrophils/ml; P < 0.01; N = 6) into the peritoneal cavities of male Wistar rats (weighing 150-180 g). In addition, Ptx (400 ng) pretreatment also blocked the edema induced by intraplantar injection of 100 micrograms carrageenin (delta increase in volume: 0.667 +/- 0.087 vs 0.313 +/- 0.058 ml; P < 0.01; N = 5) but not the edema induced by 100 micrograms dextran (delta increase in volume: 0.537 +/- 0.06 vs 0.385 +/- 0.076 ml; P > 0.05; N = 5). These data demonstrate that Ptx blocked neutrophil migration induced by a direct fMLP stimulus of a site of inflammation. In addition, this toxin blocks the indirect stimulus of LPS on neutrophil migration.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Laboratory evaluation of phosphate ester bonding agents

Two dentin bonding agents that contain phosphorus esters, (Clearfil Photo Bond and Panavia), and a bonding agent for porcelain, (Clearfil Porcelain Bond), have been introduced for bonding to enamel, dentin, amalgam, cast metal alloys and porcelain. The shear bond strengths were determined to enamel (Procedure A), to dentin (Procedure B), to amalgam (Procedure C), of amalgam to dentin (Procedure D), to cast metal alloy (Procedure E) and to porcelain (Procedure F). Also the quantitative microleakage of Class V restorations in cementum (dentin) was evaluated (Procedure G). The components were applied as directed by the manufacturer and a light-cured resin composite for posterior teeth, (Clearfil Photo Posterior) used. The mean +/- SD of the shear bond strengths recorded in MPa were: A = 24.15 +/- 3.65; B = 11.30 +/- 3.12; C = 13.77 +/- 3.42; D = 4.26 +/- 0.92; E = 17.84 +/- 3.19; F = 13.45 +/- 4.12. The quantitative microleakage (G) was 0.55 +/- 0.34 mg dye/restoration.

[Bleaching of devitalized teeth with ultrasonic assistance]

A new bleaching technique for pulpless teeth is demonstrated by a clinical case. The principle of the method is to clean the dentinal tubules by an 1% sodium hypochlorite solution activated by a 40 endosonofile. A mixture of sodium perborate and a 3% hydrogen peroxide is left in the pulp chamber between the treatment sessions.