Oswaldo Cruz Foundation

About: Oswaldo Cruz Foundation is a facility organization based out in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Trypanosoma cruzi. The organization has 18673 authors who have published 36752 publications receiving 802378 citations. The organization is also known as: Fundação Oswaldo Cruz & FIOCRUZ.

Bone Disease in HIV Infection: A Practical Review and Recommendations for HIV Care Providers

Abstract: Low bone mineral density (BMD) is prevalent in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected subjects. Initiation of antiretroviral therapy is associated with a 2%-6% decrease in BMD over the first 2 years, a decrease that is similar in magnitude to that sustained during the first 2 years of menopause. Recent studies have also described increased fracture rates in the HIV-infected population. The causes of low BMD in individuals with HIV infection appear to be multifactorial and likely represent a complex interaction between HIV infection, traditional osteoporosis risk factors, and antiretroviral-related factors. In this review, we make the point that HIV infection should be considered as a risk factor for bone disease. We recommend screening patients with fragility fractures, all HIV-infected post-menopausal women, and all HIV-infected men ⩾50 years of age. We also discuss the importance of considering secondary causes of osteoporosis. Finally, we discuss treatment of the more severe cases of bone disease, while outlining the caveats and gaps in our knowledge.

Work ability and associated factors of Brazilian technical-administrative workers in education.

Abstract: Studies about work ability have grown in importance owing to the worldwide aging of active populations. Research has shown that measuring work ability has a predictive value in cases of long-term sickness absence and early retirement. Our goal was to analyze the work ability and associated factors of civil servants from a higher education institution in Brazil. The participants in this cross-sectional study were 600 technical-administrative workers at a public university. Work ability was measured using the work ability index. The participants were as follows: 51.8 % male; mean age of 45 years (SD = ±11); married or in a stable union (61.5 %); holding a graduate degree (56.7 %); having only one job (83.3 %), working 40 h a week or less (78.6 %); not working evenings (79.8 %); and having direct contact with the public (58.3 %). The prevalence of reduced work ability was 13.9 %. The following factors were found to be associated with reduced work ability: age 50 years old or above (PR = 2.58; 95 % CI 1.25–5.09); female (PR = 2.77; 95 % CI 1.25–3.60); education up to secondary school (PR = 2.37; 95 % CI 1.13–3.59); overall poor self-assessed health (PR = 2.96; 95 % CI 1.32–3.93); signs and symptoms of depression (PR = 4.86; 95 % CI 2.23–6.55); sedentariness (PR = 3.00; 95 % CI 1.38–4.68) and poor social support at work (PR = 4.01; 95 % CI 1.66–4.37). Most of the participants showed good work ability, but some subjects had reduced work ability. This study makes a contribution to expanding the discussion about the factors associated with work ability toward proposing actions for maintaining that ability or helping recovery in the case of diminished ability. Such actions can help reduce work absenteeism and early retirement, both of which have a social and economic impact in Brazil. Studying the determinants of work ability and recommendations to address those determinants will help efforts to improve the quality of life of individuals, both at work and personally, and promote healthy aging.

Lipid droplets in inflammation and cancer

Abstract: Accumulation of lipid droplets (also known as lipid bodies or adiposomes) within leukocytes, epithelial cells, hepatocytes and other non-adipocytic cells is a frequently observed phenotype in infectious, neoplastic and other inflammatory conditions. Lipid droplet biogenesis is a regulated cellular process that culminates in the compartmentalization of lipids and of an array of enzymes, protein kinases and other proteins, suggesting that lipid droplets are inducible organelles with roles in cell signaling, regulation of lipid metabolism, membrane trafficking and control of the synthesis and secretion of inflammatory mediators. Enzymes involved in eicosanoid synthesis are localized at lipid droplets and lipid droplets are sites for eicosanoid generation in cells during inflammation and cancer. In this review, we discuss the current evidence related to the biogenesis and function of lipid droplets in cell metabolism and signaling in inflammation and cancer. Moreover, the potential of lipid droplets as markers of disease and targets for novel anti-inflammatory and antineoplastic therapies will be discussed.