Achyrocline alata, known as Jateí-ka-há, is traditionally used to treat several health problems, including inflammations and infections. This study aimed to optimize an active extract against Streptococcus mutans, the main bacteria that causes caries. The extract was developed using an accelerated solvent extraction and chemometric calculations. Factorial design and response surface methodologies were used to determine the most important variables, such as active compound selectivity. The standardized extraction recovered 99% of the four main compounds, gnaphaliin, helipyrone, obtusifolin and lepidissipyrone, which represent 44% of the extract. The optimized extract of A. alata has a MIC of 62.5 μg/mL against S. mutans and could be used in mouth care products.
To evaluate the epidemiological and molecular features of HBV infection among recyclable waste collectors. Methods: The participants were recruited from the dumping ground and recycling cooperatives in Campo Grande, Brazil, and were screened for hepatitis B and C, and HIV serological markers by ELISA, confirmed by PCR. Results: Among 278 participants, 63.7% (95% CI: 58.0-69.3) were considered susceptible to HBV infection. The prevalence rate of HBV exposure was 10.1% (95% CI: 6.5-13.6) and 0.4% (95% CI: 0.1-0.6) were chronic carriers. Age !45 years (AOR = 7.15), history of homosexual contact (AOR = 5.29), tattoo (AOR = 4.92) and history of surgery (AOR = 2.89) were factors associated with ever infection. Age 18-25 years (AOR = 4.63), educational level !9 years (AOR = 1.98) and knowledge about HBV transmission (AOR = 3.08) were associated with serological HBV vaccination like profile (26.2%; 95% CI: 21.1-31.4). Conclusions: Despite the availability and efficacy of HBV vaccine, this study found high HBV exposure and proportion of susceptible adults in a low endemic area. Vaccination and screening campaigns using accessible language to the economically disadvantaged populations can reduce the number of people susceptible to HBV infection.
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