During recent years, considerable credence has been given to the thesis that the occurrence and spread of multiply resistant enteric bacteria are related to transfer from one cell to another of the genetic determinants of drug resistance. These resistance determinants are borne by complex extrachromosomal genetic elements, termed episomes, that also bear determinants of fertility. Resistance tr...

Mailing Address: Luiz Aparecido Bortolotto • Av. Dr. Enéas de Carvalho Aguiar, 44 05403-000 – São Paulo, SP Brazil E-mail: [email protected] / [email protected] Received on 06/30/05 • Accepted on 07/01/05 The conformation of blood pressure curve varies extremely from larger to smaller arteries due to different predominant structure and functional properties of the arterial wall along the art...

Data from a spectrum of epidemiologic, pathologic, and animal model studies show that Chlamydia pneumoniae infection is associated with coronary artery disease, but it is not clear how the organism may initiate or promote atherosclerosis. It is postulated that C. pneumoniae triggers key atherogenic events through specific virulence determinants. C. pneumoniae induces mononuclear phagocyte foam ...

BACKGROUND Social and structural factors are now well accepted as determinants of HIV vulnerabilities. These factors are representative of social, economic, organizational and political inequities. Associated with an improved understanding of multiple levels of HIV risk has been the recognition of the need to implement multi-level HIV prevention strategies. Prevention sciences research and prog...

BACKGROUND Research capacity building and its impact on policy and international research partnership is increasingly seen as important. High income and low- and middle-income countries frequently engage in research collaborations. These can have a positive impact on research capacity building, provided such partnerships are long-term collaborations with a unified aim, but they can also have ch...

BACKGROUND The relationship between social capital and self-rated health has been documented in many developed compared to developing countries. Because social capital and health play important roles in development, it may be valuable to study their relationship in the context of a developing country with poorer health status. Further, the role of social capital research for health policy has n...

The social determinants of health (SDH) are recognized as important indicators of health and well-being. Health-care services (primary, secondary, tertiary care) have not until recently been considered an SDH. Inequities in access to health care are changing this view. These inequities include barriers faced by certain population groups at point of care, such as the lack of cultural competence ...

A recent article in the Journal by Whelton et al. (Am J Epidemiol. 2013;178(7):1076-1084) prompted this commentary about the use of the word "elevated" in medical reports. We believe that the word used in that particular report should have been "higher." The exposure variable was not actually elevated according to what we understand the word to mean in epidemiologic research. Consistent with th...