This is a descriptive study carried out in Higher Education Institutions (HEI) at the State of Goiás Andergraduating students from the last term/grade of courses in the health field took part in this study We aimed at characterizing the exposure to biohazards among andergraduating students from courses in the health area within the State of Goiás; identifying the vaccinal profile of the andergraduating students; characterizing HEI performance on orienting students towards vaccination against immune-preventable diseases of major importance to health professionals (HP) and verifying on students who vaccinated against Hepatitis B the procedure of anti-HBs exam and its outcome A sample test was carried out and with the support of the software Epi-info version 2004 we scored n=651 corresponding to 54% of the population with reliability interval of 95% The research ethic-legal aspects were observed Data was collected by questionnaires validated by three jurors Its application ocurred in a classroom setting Database was structured and processed in the program Epi-info version 2004 and data was presented in figures tables and analysed through descriptive statistics 777 (68,5%) graduating students enrolled on the last grade in 2005 participated in this study Aged between 20 and 55 years mean 34,7 years of age and 83,6% between 20 and 30 years of age Females are predominant with 73,8% 25,4% of graduating students had already been exposed to biological material 64,2% were exposed to sharp instruments together with contact with bloody skin and/or body fluids Among those who were involved in accidents only 35,2% reported them Students showed greater adherence to anti-hepatitis B vaccine referied by 84,9% and only 34,0% took the anti-Hbs tests 73,0% of them called themselves respondents and 10,0% of them did not know about it There was also 46,8% adherence to vaccine against diphtheria and tetanus and 25,8% of adherence to anti-yellow-fever vaccine 92,0% of students affirmed having been oriented about immunization 94,8% recognize anti-hepatitis B as recommendable vaccine to HP 77,3% for anti-diphtheria and tetanus and 48,3 % of accounts suggest anti-yellow-fever vaccine Data sources for the graduating students about recommended vaccine to HP were curricular discipline with 32,3% followed by the college direction with 13,6% of accounts Although HEI in the State of Goiás have been addressing this issue they do so in a fragmented and little consistent way We consider it critical for HEI to set urgently a policy of vaccine establishment before clinical practice as well as to reflect about prevention, and control of infection aiming at interdisciplinarity and above all the quality of teaching which will be reflected on the health professionals profile

Um investimento em obrigações de taxa fixa não tem uma rendibilidade garantida à partida porque os valores futuros das taxas de juro são incertos. O objectivo do presente trabalho consiste em estudar uma técnica de redução deste risco - a imunização - baseada em modelos de um factor da estrutura de prazo das taxas de juro. O modelo mais simples que é analisado baseia-se na duração de Macaulay. Assumindo uma estrutura de prazo das taxas de juro horizontal que sofra variações paralelas, a igualdade entre a duração dos activos e o horizonte de planeamento garante uma rendibilidade final não inferior à taxa de juro inicial. A duração de Fisher-Weil, desenvolvida posteriormente, garante a imunização contra variações aditivas de uma estrutura de prazo, em capitalização contínua, não necessariamente horizontal. São, ainda, estudados os modelos mais elaborados de Bierwag e de Khang, que imunizam contra choques, respectivamente, multiplicativos e log-aditivos. Todos estes modelos são normalmente criticados por possibilitarem ganhos de arbitragem. Assim, analisaram-se dois outros modelos consistentes com equilíbrio de mercado: o de equilíbrio parcial de Vasicek e o de equilíbrio geral de Cox. Ingersoll e Ross. Aqui, a imunização consiste em garantir, continuamente, a igualdade entre a sensibilidade dos activos e dos passivos a variações inesperadas das taxas de juro. As várias estratégias de investimento foram simuladas durante o período de Agosto de 1993 a Fevereiro de 1997. Entre os modelos de Macaulay, Fisher-Weil. Bierwag e Khang, concluiu-se que os dois primeiros são os mais eficientes. Os modelos de equilíbrio, particularmente o de Vasicek, superaram os anteriores, mas apenas em condições excepcionalmente favoráveis.

A gestão do risco de taxa de juro, que pode ser definida como uma técnica de protecção do valor nominal de uma carteira contra alterações inesperadas na estrutura por prazos das taxas de juro (BiPTJ), conquistou inúmeros adeptos na comunidade académica e na indústria financeira nos últimos anos. Entre as soluções avançadas para identificar, medir e gerir este tipo de risco encontram-se, desde o primeiro momento, as estratégias de imunização e de cobertura. Os modelos de imunização (ou de risco de taxa de juro) controlam o risco através do uso de medidas de duração e convexidade. Estas medidas captam a sensibilidade dos retornos das obrigações às alterações em um ou mais factores de taxa de juro, sendo que a forma exacta destes factores depende de diferentes concepções sobre o modo como a EPTJ se desloca, de formulações distintas para a sua dinâmica, ou ainda de representações alternativas para a EPTJ. O objectivo desta dissertação é o de fornecer uma revisão crítica, exaustiva e rigorosa dos principais modelos de risco de taxa de juro, neles se incluindo a metodologia Value at Risk (VAR). As limitações dos tradicionais modelos de duração imunizante são postas em relevo quando confrontadas com modelos de equilíbrio c de não arbitragem para a EPTJ, e com modelos independentes do processo estocástico. A aplicação destes modelos na condução de estratégias activas e passivas de gestão do risco de taxa de juro por instituições financeiras é demonstrada. A importância da convexidade no contexto da visão tradicional do fenómeno é reequacionada à luz de hipóteses menos restritivas (e consistentes com o equilíbrio) para o comportamento das taxas de juro, alertando-se, no contexto da visão moderna, para os potenciais riscos que decorrem da ligação da convexidade aos choques sobre a inclinação da EPTJ. As vantagens dos modelos multifactor são justificadas pelo reforço da protecção contra choques não paralelos sobre a EPTJ. A superioridade empírica deste tipo de modelos no mercado português é demonstrada num teste ao desempenho do modelo M Vector, considerando dados para o período compreendido entre Agosto de 1993 e Setembro de 1999. Concluímos, ainda, que o melhor modelo é aquele imuniza simultaneamente a carteira contra choques sobre o nível, choques sobre a inclinação e choques sobre a curvatura da EPTJ.

Um investimento em obrigações de taxa fixa não tem uma rendibilidade Qarantida à partida porque os valores futuros das taxas de juro são incertos. O objectivo do presente trabalho consiste em estudar uma técnica de redução deste risco - a imunização - baseada em modelos de um factor da estrutura de prazo das taxas de juro. O modelo mais simples que é analisado baseia-se na duração de Macaulay. Assumindo uma estrutura de prazo das taxas de juro horizontal que sofra variações paralelas, a igualdade entre a duração dos activos e o horizonte de planeamento g.arante uma rendibilidade final não inferior à taxa de juro inicial. A duração de Fisher-Weil, desenvolvida posteriormente, garante a imunização contra variações aditivas de uma estrutura de prazo, em capitalização contínua, não necessariamente horizontal. São, ainda, estudados os modelos mais elaborados de Bierwag e de Khang, que imunizam contra choques, respectivamente, multiplicativos e log-aditivos. Todos estes modelos são normalmente criticados por possibilitarem ganhos de arbitragem. Assim, analisaram-se dois outros modelos consistentes com equilíbrio de mercado: o de equilíbrio parcial de Vasicek e o de equilíbrio geral de Cox. Ingersoll e Ross. Aqui. a imunização consiste em garantir, continuamente, a igualdade entre a sensibilidade dos activos e dos passivos a variações inesperadas das taxas de juro. As várias estratégias de investimento foram simuladas durante o período de Agosto de 1993 a Fevereiro de 1997. Entre os modelos de Macaulay, Fisher-Weil. Bierwag e Khang, concluiu-se que os dois primeiros são os mais eficientes. Os modelos de equilíbrio, particularmente o de Vasicek, superaram os anteriores, mas apenas em condições excepcionalmente favoráveis.

A volatilidade das taxas de juro tem consequências directas no valor presente dos fluxos monetários (cash flows) futuros. Deste modo, as companhias de seguros estão particularmente expostas ao risco de taxa de juro, vindo este explicitamente reconhecido no projecto de Solvência II. O objectivo do presente trabalho consiste assim em descrever o problema do risco de taxa de juro e apresentar algumas estratégias de protecção (imunização) face a este mesmo risco. Será dada mais ênfase ao risco de taxa de juro dos activos de rendimento fixo, embora se dedique um capítulo ao dos activos de rendimento incerto. Por fim analisa-se o exercício proposto no QIS4 (Quantative Impact Study) de modo a aferir se este é adequado para captar a exposição ao risco de uma carteira hipotética de acidentes de trabalho.

ABSTRACT: This study evaluated the reproductive performance of Nellore heifers without previous vaccination undergoing fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) and subsequent natural breeding under different vaccination protocols against infectious bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV-1), bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), and bovine leptospirosis (BL). A total of 763 animals were included; the group assignment was as follows: T1, control without vaccination; T2, vaccination against BL; T3, vaccination against BHV-1and BVDV; T4,vaccination against combination of BL + BHV-1and BVDV. Vaccination was started 30 days before FTAI (D-40), and a booster dose was administered at D-10. Serological tests were used to verify the occurrence rate of natural infection by BL, BHV-1, and BVDV. Initial pregnancy was diagnosed at D30, D60, and D120 after FTAI. Final pregnancy rates were evaluated by group, weight, body-condition score, occurrence of estrus, inseminator, bull, and occurrence of abortions or embryonic death. In all groups, results indicated seropositivity of 100% for leptospirosis, 77.0-94.0% for BHV-1, and 64.0-87.0% for BVDV. The vaccination protocol was not a significant influencing factor of pregnancy rate and embryonic or fetal mortality; whereas, animal weight at the beginning of the breeding season and presence of estrus at FTAI were significant influencing factors of pregnancy rate. The vaccination protocol had no interference with the reproductive performance of the experimental groups.

The guidelines of the Brazilian National Health System (SUS) state that the municipal authorities are responsible for the vaccination of the population. The present study examined the types of immunobiologicals, amounts and reasons for their destruction and disposal by the Municipal Health Secretariat in the city of Bauru, São Paulo state, Brazil, between 2008 and 2009. This study comprises a descriptive, exploratory and retrospective work that employed search of bibliographic data, collection of secondary data from forms of immunobiologicals disposal and interview of the agent responsible for the disposal of these products in the municipality. It was observed that the total numbers of unused vaccines in 2008 and 2009 were similar (4523 and 4395, respectively), being the most discarded: the diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTP) vaccine in 2008 and DTP, BCG and influenza in 2009. It was found that the amount of discarded vaccines could be reduced since the reasons for that were predictable. Moreover, the current study emphasized that although there is a municipal regulation for the disposal of immunobiologicals, the city still requires a better structure to handle such problem.

ABSTRACT The target cp1002_RS01850 from Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis was used to construct a DNA and recombinant subunit vaccine against caseous lymphadenitis. Recombinant protein rCP01850 was expressed in Escherichia coli using pAE vector, and DNA vaccine was engineered with pTARGET vector. BALB/c mice were divided in five groups containing eight animals each, inoculated with: pTARGET/cp01850 as DNA vaccine (G1); rCP01850 plus Al (OH)3 as recombinant subunit vaccine (G2); pTARGET/cp01850 and a boost with rCP01850 plus Al (OH)3 (G3); pTARGET (G4); or Al (OH)3 (G5). Mice were inoculated and blood samples were collected on days 0, 21, and 42 for the analysis of total IgG, IgG1 and IgG2a by ELISA. In each group, five animals were challenged with Mic-6 C. pseudotuberculosis strain, and three were used for cytokine quantification by qPCR. Although no group has been protected by vaccines against lethal challenge, G2 showed an increase in the survival rate after challenge. Significantly higher levels of IL-4, IL-12, IFN-γ, total IgG, IgG1 and IgG2a were also detected for G2, evidencing a mixed Th1/Th2 immunological profile. In conclusion, despite no protection level provided by different vaccinal strategies using cp1002_RS01850 from C. pseudotuberculosis, G2 developed a Th1/Th2 immune response with an increase in survival rate.

This paper aims to evaluate the efficiency of three inactive vaccines against contagious agalactia prepared with samples of Mycoplasma agalactiae isolated in Brazil and different adjuvants. Vaccine 1 adsorbed with aluminum hydroxide was administered in 23 goats (Gc1) and 13 sheep (Gov1); vaccine 2 containing Montanide IMS-2215-VG was administered in 22 goats (Gc2) and 12 sheep (Gov2) and vaccine 3, containing Montanide Gel-01 was administered in 22 goats (Gc3) and 12 sheep (Gov3). All animals were negative for Ma at indirect ELISA and received two doses of 2mL each, subcutaneously, within a 21 day interval. Five animals from each species were used as control. Seventy-five days after the booster, four animals from each vaccinated group and two from the control group were challenged with 5mL of Ma culture containing 10(7)cfu/mL, orally and through immersion of the female's udder in lactation. The serological response was analyzed during vaccination days (0 and 21) and at 51, 81, 111, 141 and 171 days after vaccination. The collection and analysis of the challenged animals were conducted at the day of the challenge (D0) and 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49 and 56 days after the challenge. The three vaccines induced the production of antibodies, having no significant statistical difference (p<0.05). Animals from groups Gc1, Gc2 and Gov2 developed higher levels of antibodies, with significant statistical difference compared to the other vaccinated group and control group (p<0.05). After the challenge, the animals from the control presented an increase in regional lymph nodes and conjunctivitis, mastitis and arthritis. In four vaccinated animals, discrete conjunctivitis and congestion of the episcleral veins was observed. It is concluded that vaccines 1 and 2 induced levels of protective antibodies in goats and sheep, sufficient for clinical protection of the animals submitted to the experimental infection, indicating its use on the prevention of contagious agalactia.

Human activities are contributing to Global Climate Change through the production of Green House Gases (GHG), which result in increased air, land and ocean temperatures and extreme changes in precipitation in regions of low and high rainfall. The most important GHG's are carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O). It is estimated that 18 % of the annual GHG emissions come from different types of livestock and that 37% of CH4, with higher global warming potential (23) relative to CO2 (1), comes from fermentation processes in ruminants. It is possible that in the future beef and milk exports from producing countries is subject to bans if cattle systems do not comply with measures to reduce GHG. There are several alternatives available and being researched to reduce enteric CH4 emissions from cattle that range from manipulating diet composition, supplementing feed additives (i.e. ionophores, organic acids, halogenated compounds, oils) and selection of forage plants of high quality and containing secondary metabolites (i.e. tannins and saponins) to animal breeding, immunization and genetic transformation of rumen microorganisms. Results show that inhibition of enteric CH4 emission is possible through the use of ionophores, organic acids and oils. The use of ionophores can result in resistance of rumen microbes and as a result the effect is short term. The high cost of organic acids makes it unlikely that there direct supplementation in ruminant diets is economically viable. However, organic acids are present at relatively high concentrations in the leaf tissue of plants and attempts should be made to select and breed forages with higher levels of these compounds. It is argued that a more efficient strategy to reduce enteric CH4 in ruminants is through selection of grasses of high quality (i.e. high concentration of water soluble carbohydrates), of forage legumes containing secondary metabolites like tannins and of fruits/plants containing saponins, provided that they do not affect intake and digestibility. Improved nutrition of cattle through feeding high quality forages can result in high animal performance and in reductions of CH4 emitted per unit of dry matter intake and per unit of product.