Zika virus infection impairs synaptogenesis, induces neuroinflammation, and could be an environmental risk factor for autism spectrum disorder outcome.

Zika virus (ZIKV) infection was first associated with Central Nervous System (CNS) infections in Brazil in 2015, correlated with an increased number of newborns with microcephaly, which ended up characterizing the Congenital Zika Syndrome (CZS). Here, we investigated the impact of ZIKV infection on the functionality of iPSC-derived astrocytes. Besides, we extrapolated our findings to a Brazilian cohort of 136 CZS children and validated our results using a mouse model. Interestingly, ZIKV infection in neuroprogenitor cells compromises cell migration and causes apoptosis but does not interfere in astrocyte generation. Moreover, infected astrocytes lost their ability to uptake glutamate while expressing more glutamate transporters and secreted higher levels of IL-6. Besides, infected astrocytes secreted factors that impaired neuronal synaptogenesis. Since these biological endophenotypes were already related to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), we extrapolated these results to a cohort of children, now 6-7 years old, and found seven children with ASD diagnosis (5.14 %). Additionally, mice infected by ZIKV revealed autistic-like behaviors, with a significant increase of IL-6 mRNA levels in the brain. Considering these evidence, we inferred that ZIKV infection during pregnancy might lead to synaptogenesis impairment and neuroinflammation, which could increase the risk for ASD.

Direitos humanos e covid-19: diálogos a partir da racialização da população negra / Human rights and Covid-19: dialogues based on the racialization of the black population

Este artigo teve como objetivo discutir os efeitos da covid-19 sobre os direitos humanos da população negra brasileira, questionando a própria concepção de direitos humanos, a partir de autores e autoras que discutem a necessidade de racializar este debate. Para a análise, utilizou-se a metodologia fenomenológica dialética. Concluiu-se que a lógica do "pretuguês" surge como uma racionalidade que tensiona a produção do direito e a atuação do Estado e das políticas públicas em prol dos direitos humanos dos povos da periferia. Concluiu-se também que o dilema pandêmico causado pela covid-19 pode ser uma base para se repensarem as consequências do racismo estrutural, considerando que somente a partir de uma mudança de postura estatal e com a ação dos movimentos sociais será possível a efetivação dos direitos humanos, em especial os da população negra.

This article aimed to discuss the effects of Covid-19 on the human rights of the black Brazilian population, questioning the concept of human rights itself from authors who discuss the need to racialize the debate. For analysis, it was used the dialectical phenomenological methodology. It is concluded that the logic of the "pretuguês" appears as a rationality that stresses the production of law and the performance of the State and public policies in favor of the human rights of the peoples of the periphery. It was also concluded that this pandemic dilemma caused by Covid-19 can be a basis for rethinking the consequences of structural racism, considering that only from a change in State posture and with the action of social movements will it be possible to enforce human rights, especially those of the black population.

Isolated specific IgA against respiratory viruses, Influenza or SARS-CoV-2, present in the saliva of a fraction of healthy and asymptomatic volunteers.

OBJECTIVES: Defense against respiratory viruses depends on an immune response present in the mucosa, as saliva IgA secretes antibodies. During the pandemic, such as influenza or SARS-CoV-2, most infected patients are asymptomatic but retain specific antibodies post-infection. The authors evaluated IgG and IgA antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 and influenza in the saliva of asymptomatic volunteers, validated with controls or vaccinated individuals. METHODS: The authors detected specific antibodies by validated conventional ELISA using natural SARS-CoV-2 antigens from infected Vero cells or capture-ELISA for influenza using natural antigens of the influenza vaccine. RESULTS: Saliva from influenza-vaccinated individuals had more IgA than paired serum, contrary to the findings for specific IgG. In COVID-19-vaccinated samples, specific IgA in saliva increased after vaccination, but IgG levels were high after the first dose. In saliva from the asymptomatic population (226), anti-Influenza IgG was found in 57.5% (130) of samples, higher than IgA, found in 35% (79) of samples. IgA results were similar for SARS-CoV-2, with IgA present in 30% (68) of samples, while IgG was less present, in 44.2% (100) of samples. The proportion of influenza IgG responders was higher than that for SARS-CoV-2 IgG, but both populations presented similar proportions of IgA responders, possibly due to variable memory B cell survival. For both viruses, the authors found an important proportion (> 10%) of IgA+IgG- samples, suggesting the occurrence of humoral immunity directed to the mucosa. CONCLUSION: Specific antibodies for respiratory viruses in saliva are found in either infection or vaccination and are a convenient and sensitive diagnostic tool for host immune response.

Isolated specific IgA against respiratory viruses, Influenza or SARS-CoV-2, present in the saliva of a fraction of healthy and asymptomatic volunteers

Abstract Objectives: Defense against respiratory viruses depends on an immune response present in the mucosa, as saliva IgA secretes antibodies. During the pandemic, such as influenza or SARS-CoV-2, most infected patients are asymptomatic but retain specific antibodies post-infection. The authors evaluated IgG and IgA antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 and influenza in the saliva of asymptomatic volunteers, validated with controls or vaccinated individuals. Methods: The authors detected specific antibodies by validated conventional ELISA using natural SARS-CoV-2 antigens from infected Vero cells or capture-ELISA for influenza using natural antigens of the influenza vaccine. Results: Saliva from influenza-vaccinated individuals had more IgA than paired serum, contrary to the findings for specific IgG. In COVID-19-vaccinated samples, specific IgA in saliva increased after vaccination, but IgG levels were high after the first dose. In saliva from the asymptomatic population (226), anti-Influenza IgG was found in 57.5% (130) of samples, higher than IgA, found in 35% (79) of samples. IgA results were similar for SARS-CoV-2, with IgA present in 30% (68) of samples, while IgG was less present, in 44.2% (100) of samples. The proportion of influenza IgG responders was higher than that for SARS-CoV-2 IgG, but both populations presented similar proportions of IgA responders, possibly due to variable memory B cell survival. For both viruses, the authors found an important proportion (> 10%) of IgA+IgG- samples, suggesting the occurrence of humoral immunity directed to the mucosa. Conclusion: Specific antibodies for respiratory viruses in saliva are found in either infection or vaccination and are a convenient and sensitive diagnostic tool for host immune response.

Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Regarding Sylvatic Rabies among High-Risk Households in Ceará State, Brazil.

Rabies transmitted by sylvatic populations has become an increasing concern in Brazil. A total of 113 participants with a history of contact with sylvatic populations were interviewed in 27 municipalities of Ceará State in northeast Brazil. Questionnaires included questions on knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) regarding sylvatic rabies. Most of the respondents (92%) knew about rabies and confirmed at least one species that transmitted the disease (79.6%). Of these respondents, 69% mentioned monkeys, and 67.2% mentioned dogs. However, 16% of the respondents listed an incorrect species. In general, knowledge on the symptoms and signs and on prevention measures was weak. The majority raised pets (93.8%), most commonly dogs and cats, and, of all the pets, 85.7% were claimed to be vaccinated against rabies. A total of 67.3% reported the appearance of free-living wild animals around their houses, mostly marmosets and wild canids; 18.3% reported that sylvatic populations had attacked animals or humans. Seventy-three percent had raised or still were raising wild animals as pets, mostly capuchin monkeys (79.5%) and marmosets (24.1%). This is the first KAP study on sylvatic rabies in Brazil. The data indicate important knowledge gaps and risk behavior within a high-risk population. There is a need for strengthening and improving sylvatic rabies surveillance and control, combined with the intensification of education and information campaigns.

Inhibition of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Replication by Hypertonic Saline Solution in Lung and Kidney Epithelial Cells.

An unprecedented global health crisis has been caused by a new virus called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). We performed experiments to test if a hypertonic saline solution was capable of inhibiting virus replication. Our data show that 1.2% NaCl inhibited virus replication by 90%, achieving 100% of inhibition at 1.5% in the nonhuman primate kidney cell line Vero, and 1.1% of NaCl was sufficient to inhibit the virus replication by 88% in human epithelial lung cell line Calu-3. Furthermore, our results indicate that the inhibition is due to an intracellular mechanism and not to the dissociation of the spike SARS-CoV-2 protein and its human receptor. NaCl depolarizes the plasma membrane causing a low energy state (high ADP/ATP concentration ratio) without impairing mitochondrial function, supposedly associated with the inhibition of the SARS-CoV-2 life cycle. Membrane depolarization and intracellular energy deprivation are possible mechanisms by which the hypertonic saline solution efficiently prevents virus replication in vitro assays.

Lack of Evidence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Spillover in Free-Living Neotropical Non-Human Primates, Brazil.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is responsible for the worst pandemic of the 21st century. Like all human coronaviruses, SARS-CoV-2 originated in a wildlife reservoir, most likely from bats. As SARS-CoV-2 has spread across the globe in humans, it has spilled over to infect a variety of non-human animal species in domestic, farm, and zoo settings. Additionally, a broad range of species, including one neotropical monkey, have proven to be susceptible to experimental infection with SARS-CoV-2. Together, these findings raise the specter of establishment of novel enzootic cycles of SARS-CoV-2. To assess the potential exposure of free-living non-human primates to SARS-CoV-2, we sampled 60 neotropical monkeys living in proximity to Manaus and São José do Rio Preto, two hotspots for COVID-19 in Brazil. Our molecular and serological tests detected no evidence of SAR-CoV-2 infection among these populations. While this result is reassuring, sustained surveillance efforts of wildlife living in close association with human populations is warranted, given the stochastic nature of spillover events and the enormous implications of SARS-CoV-2 spillover for human health.

Beneficial effects of a mouthwash containing an antiviral phthalocyanine derivative on the length of hospital stay for COVID-19: randomised trial.

The risk of contamination and dissemination by SARS-CoV-2 has a strong link with nasal, oral and pharyngeal cavities. Recently, our research group observed the promising performance of an anionic phthalocyanine derivative (APD) used in a mouthwash protocol without photoexcitation; this protocol improved the general clinical condition of patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. The present two-arm study evaluated in vitro the antiviral activity and cytotoxicity of APD. Additionally, a triple-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted with 41 hospitalized patients who tested positive for COVID-19. All the included patients received World Health Organization standard care hospital treatment (non-intensive care) plus active mouthwash (experimental group AM/n = 20) or nonactive mouthwash (control group NAM/n = 21). The adjunct mouthwash intervention protocol used in both groups consisted one-minute gargling/rinsing / 5 times/day until hospital discharge. Groups were compared considering age, number of comorbidities, duration of symptoms prior admission and length of hospital stay (LOS). The associations between group and sex, age range, presence of comorbidities, admission to Intensive care unit (ICU) and death were also evaluated. The in vitro evaluation demonstrated that APD compound was highly effective for reduction of SARS-CoV-2 viral load in the 1.0 mg/mL (99.96%) to 0.125 mg/mL (92.65%) range without causing cytotoxicity. Regarding the clinical trial, the median LOS of the AM group was significantly shortened (4 days) compared with that of the NAM group (7 days) (p = 0.0314). Additionally, gargling/rinsing with APD was very helpful in reducing the severity of symptoms (no ICU care was needed) compared to not gargling/rinsing with APD (28.6% of the patients in the NAM group needed ICU care, and 50% of this ICU subgroup passed way, p = 0.0207). This study indicated that the mechanical action of the protocol involving mouthwash containing a compound with antiviral effects against SARS-CoV-2 may reduce the symptoms of the patients and the spread of infection. The use of APD in a mouthwash as an adjuvant the hospital COVID-19 treatment presented no contraindication and reduced the hospital stay period.Trial registration: The clinical study was registered at REBEC-Brazilian Clinical Trial Register (RBR-58ftdj).

Heterogeneous development of children with Congenital Zika Syndrome-associated microcephaly.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the neurological and neurodevelopmental outcomes of children with Congenital Zika Syndrome (CZS) associated microcephaly beyond 2 years of age. METHOD: We followed children with CZS-associated microcephaly in an outpatient clinic in Salvador, Brazil. Neurological and neurodevelopmental assessments were performed using the Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination (HINE) and Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Neurodevelopment (Bayley-III) respectively. RESULTS: Of the 42 children included, 19 were male (45.2%); median (interquartile range) age at neurological evaluation was 28 (25-32) months, and 36 (85.7%) had severe microcephaly. HINE and Bayley-III results were completed for 35/42 (83.3%) and 33/42 (78.5%) children respectively. Bayley-III identified a severe developmental delay in 32/33 (97.0%) children while 1/33 (3.0%) had only a mild delay. In the multivariable analysis, we found that Bayley-III and HINE scores were correlated. Better HINE scores were associated with higher Bayley-III cognitive raw scores (ß = 0.29; CI 95% = 0.02-0.57) and motor raw scores (ß = 0.43; CI 95% = 0.04-0.82) after adjusting for head circumference, prematurity, and age at neurodevelopmental evaluation. Furthermore, we found that greater head circumference at follow up was associated with higher cognitive (ß = 1.27; CI 95% = 0.01-2.53) and motor raw scores (ß = 2.03; CI 95% = 0.25-3.81). CONCLUSION: Children with CZS-associated microcephaly demonstrate severe neurodevelopmental delays and slower growth rates than their peers over time. Still, they have remarkably heterogeneous neurodevelopmental profiles according to neurological exam scores which correlate with their long-term outcomes. We found that HINE scores effectively captured the heterogeneity of neurological capabilities among these children and could be predictive of cognitive and motor development progress.

O resgate da memória histórica como estratégia de desconstrução do racismo / The rescue of historical memory as a strategy for the deconstruction of racism / El rescate de la memoria histórica como estrategia para la deconstrucción del racismo

Crianças atingidas pelo racismo acabam por expressar a negação da identidade negra em virtude dos estigmas associados à negritude. A Psicologia Comunitária, utilizando como aporte teórico-metodológico a problematização e a conscientização, pode proporcionar a potencialização dos sujeitos por meio do resgate da memória histórica e da desconstrução dos estereótipos de inferioridade racial. O presente artigo apresenta uma experiência profissional de práticas grupais com crianças, cujo principal objetivo consistiu em propiciar o resgate da memória histórica da cultura negra por meio da contação de histórias, visando combater o racismo.

Children affected by racism end up expressing the denial of black identity because of the stigmas associated with blackness. Community Psychology, using problematization and awareness as a theoretical-methodological contribution, can provide the potentiation of subjects through the rescue of historical memory and the deconstruction of racial inferiority stereotypes. This article presents a professional experience of group practices with children whose main objective was to propitiate the rescue of the historical memory of the black culture through the storytelling, aiming at fighting racism.

Los niños afectados por el racismo terminan expresando la negación de la identidad negra debido a los estigmas asociados con la negrura. La Psicología Comunitaria, utilizando la problematización y la concienciación como una contribución teórico-metodológica, puede proporcionar la potenciación de los sujetos mediante el rescate de la memoria histórica y la deconstrucción de los estereotipos de inferioridad racial. Este artículo presenta una experiencia profesional de prácticas de grupo con niños cuyo objetivo principal era propiciar el rescate de la memoria histórica de la cultura negra a través del relato de historias, con el fin de luchar contra el racismo.

Social determinants associated with Zika virus infection in pregnant women.

This study aims to describe the sociodemographic determinants associated with exposure to Zika Virus (ZIKV) in pregnant women during the 2015-2016 epidemic in Salvador, Brazil. METHODS: We recruited women who gave birth between October 2015 and January 2016 to a cross-sectional study at a referral maternity hospital in Salvador, Brazil. We collected information on their demographic, socioeconomic, and clinical characteristics, and evaluated their ZIKV exposure using a plaque reduction neutralization test. Logistic regression was then used to assess the relationship between these social determinants and ZIKV exposure status. RESULTS: We included 469 pregnant women, of whom 61% had a positive ZIKV result. Multivariate analysis found that lower education (adjusted Prevalence Rate [aPR] 1.21; 95%CI 1.04-1.35) and food insecurity (aPR 1.17; 95%CI 1.01-1.30) were positively associated with ZIKV exposure. Additionally, age was negatively associated with the infection risk (aPR 0.99; 95%CI 0.97-0.998). CONCLUSION: Eve after controlling for age, differences in key social determinants, as education and food security, were associated with the risk of ZIKV infection among pregnant women in Brazil. Our findings elucidate risk factors that can be targeted by future interventions to reduce the impact of ZIKV infection in this vulnerable population.

COVID-19 convalescent plasma cohort study: Evaluation of the association between both donor and recipient neutralizing antibody titers and patient outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Current evidence regarding COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP) transfusion practices is limited and heterogeneous. We aimed to determine the impact of the use of CCP transfusion in patients with previous circulating neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) in COVID-19. METHODS: Prospective cohort including 102 patients with COVID-19 transfused with ABO compatible CCP on days 0-2 after enrollment. Clinical status of patients was assessed using the adapted World Health Organization (WHO) ordinal scale on days 0, 5, and 14. The nAbs titration was performed using the cytopathic effect-based virus neutralization test with SARS-CoV-2 (GenBank MT126808.1). The primary outcome was clinical improvement on day 14, defined as a reduction of at least two points on the adapted WHO ordinal scale. Secondary outcomes were the number of intensive care unit (ICU)-free days and the number of invasive mechanical ventilation-free days. RESULTS: Both nAbs of CCP units transfused (p < 0.001) and nAbs of patients before CCP transfusions (p = 0.028) were associated with clinical improvements by day 14. No significant associations between nAbs of patients or CCP units transfused were observed in the number of ICU or mechanical ventilation-free days. Administration of CCP units after 10 days of symptom onset resulted in a decrease in ICU-free days (p < 0.001) and mechanical ventilation-free days (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Transfusion of high titer nAbs CCP units may be a determinant in clinical strategies against COVID-19. We consider these data as useful parameters to guide future CCP transfusion practices.

iTRAQ-based proteomic analysis of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis in response to hypoxia.

Aerobic organisms require oxygen for energy. In the course of the infection, adaptation to hypoxia is crucial for survival of human pathogenic fungi. Members of the Paracoccidioides complex face decreased oxygen tensions during the life cycle stages. In Paracoccidioides brasiliensis proteomic responses to hypoxia have not been investigated and the regulation of the adaptive process is still unknown, and this approach allowed the identification of 216 differentially expressed proteins in hypoxia using iTRAQ-labelling. Data suggest that P. brasiliensis reprograms its metabolism when submitted to hypoxia. The fungus reduces its basal metabolism and general transport proteins. Energy and general metabolism were more representative and up regulated. Glucose is apparently directed towards glycolysis or the production of cell wall polymers. Plasma membrane/cell wall are modulated by increasing ergosterol and glucan, respectively. In addition, molecules such as ethanol and acetate are produced by this fungus indicating that alternative carbon sources probably are activated to obtain energy. Also, detoxification mechanisms are activated. The results were compared with label free proteomics data from Paracoccidioides lutzii. Biochemical pathways involved with acetyl-CoA, pyruvate and ergosterol synthesis were up-regulated in both fungi. On the other hand, proteins from TCA, transcription, protein fate/degradation, cellular transport, signal transduction and cell defense/virulence processes presented different profiles between species. Particularly, proteins related to methylcitrate cycle and those involved with acetate and ethanol synthesis were increased in P. brasiliensis proteome, whereas GABA shunt were accumulated only in P. lutzii. The results emphasize metabolic adaptation processes for distinct Paracoccidioides species.

Anti-A and SARS-CoV-2: an intriguing association.

BACKGROUND: Blood groups and anti-A isohemagglutinin may be involved in susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively studied 268 COVID-19 convalescent plasma donors and 162 COVID-19 inpatients (total 430 subjects, confirmed by RT-PCR) and 2,212 healthy volunteer first-time blood donors as a control group. These were further divided into two groups: those with anti-A (blood types O and B) and those without it (types A and AB). Titres of nucleoproteins, and neutralizing SARS-CoV-2 antibody were measured in the convalescent plasma donors and inpatients. Multivariate logistic regression and non-parametric tests were applied. RESULTS: Persons having types O or B showed less infection prevalence than those of types A or AB (OR = 0·62, 95% CI 0·50-0·78; P < 0·001), but there was no difference when COVID-19 inpatients were analysed. Immunoglobulins M, G and A were lower in COVID-19 subjects of types O or B group than those of A or AB (0·16 vs. 0·19; P = 0·03, 2·11 vs. 2·55; P = 0·02, 0·23 vs. 0·32; P = 0·03, respectively). CONCLUSION: In this retrospective cohort, COVID-19 individuals were less likely to belong to blood types O and B, and also had lower SARS-CoV-2 antibody titres than A and AB individuals. COVID-19 severity did not associate with the blood groups.

A longitudinal study of convalescent plasma (CCP) donors and correlation of ABO group, initial neutralizing antibodies (nAb), and body mass index (BMI) with nAb and anti-nucleocapsid (NP) SARS-CoV-2 antibody kinetics: Proposals for better quality of CCP collections.

INTRODUCTION: Little is known about the neutralizing (nAb) and binding antibody kinetics in COVID-19 convalescent plasma donors, especially during the first 100 days after disease onset. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cohort of previously RT-PCR positive (detected by nasopharyngeal swab during the acute phase), male convalescent patients, all with mild symptoms, were enrolled in serial blood sample collection for a longitudinal nAb titers and anti-nucleocapsid (NP) antibodies (IgM, IgG and IgA) evaluation. NAbs were detected by a cytopathic effect-based virus neutralization test (CPE-based VNT), carried out with SARS-CoV-2 (GenBank: MT350282). RESULTS: A total of 78 male volunteers provided 316 samples, spanning a total of 4820 days of study. Although only 25% of donors kept nAb titers ≥160 within 100 days after the onset of disease, there was >75% probability of sustaining nAb titers ≥160 in volunteers whose initial nAb titer was ≥1280, weight ≥ 90 kg or obese, according to their body mass index (BMI), as evidenced by Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox hazard regression (all p < .02). There was no correlation between the ABO group, ABO antibody titers and persistent high nAb titers. High IgG anti-NP (S/CO ≥5.0) is a good surrogate for detecting nAb ≥ 160, defined by the ROC curve (sensitivity = 90.5%; CI95%: 84.5%-94.7%). CONCLUSION: Selection of CCP donors for multiple collections based on initial high nAb titers (≥1280) or BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 provides a simple strategy to achieve higher quality in CCP programs. High IgG anti-NP levels can also be used as surrogate markers for high nAb screening.

Correlation between SARS-COV-2 antibody screening by immunoassay and neutralizing antibody testing.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of convalescent plasma (CP), an alternative for the treatment of COVID-19, depends on high titers of neutralizing antibodies (nAbs), but assays for quantifying nAbs are not widely available. Our goal was to develop a strategy to predict high titers of nAbs based on the results of anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoassays and the clinical characteristics of CP donors. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A total of 214 CP donors were enrolled and tested for the presence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies (IgG) using two commercial immunoassays: EUROIMMUN (ELISA) and Abbott (Chemiluminescence). Quantification of nAbs was performed using the Cytopathic Effect-based Virus Neutralization test. Three criteria for identifying donors with nAbs ≥ 1:160 were tested: - C1: Curve ROC; - C2: Conditional decision tree considering only the IA results and - C3: Conditional decision tree including both the IA results and the clinical variables. RESULTS: The performance of the immunoassays was similar referring to both S/CO and predictive value for identifying nAbs titers ≥1:160. Regarding the studied criteria for identifying CP donors with high nAbs titers: (a) C1 showed 76.1% accuracy if S/CO = 4.65, (b) C2 presented 76.1% accuracy if S/CO ≥4.57 and (c) C3 had 71.6% accuracy if S/CO was ≥4.57 or if S/CO was between 2.68-4.57 and the last COVID-19-related symptoms were recent (within 19 days). CONCLUSION: SARS-CoV-2 IgG immunoassays (S/CO) can be used to predict high anti-SARS-CoV-2 nAbs titers. This study has proposed different criteria for identifying donors with ≥1:160 nAbs titers, all with high efficacy.

Perfil do consumo de drogas de abuso entre acadêmicos de Farmácia de uma universidade do Piauí / Profile of drug abuse among Pharmacy students at a university in Piauí

Realizou-se estudo descritivo, transversal, quantitativo entre estudantes dos períodos iniciais e finais do curso de Farmácia da Universidade Federal do Piauí (UFPI) durante o ano de 2019, buscando-se analisar o perfil de consumo de drogas de abuso entre os estudantes, tema objeto de escassas publicações no Piauí. Foi aplicado um questionário de respostas fechadas pautado no "ASSIST" adaptado, após aprovação no Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa da UFPI. O teste exato de Fisher foi utilizado para aplicar hipótese de associação com significância de 5%. A pesquisa contou com 41 participantes, 56,0% do sexo feminino e 29,0% do sexo masculino. 63,0% dos partícipes tinham idade maior ou igual a 20 anos e 22,0% possuíam menos de 20 anos. Verificou-se que 90,2% reportaram já ter feito uso de alguma droga de abuso. 17,1% dos estudantes reportaram ter feito uso de drogas ilícitas. A maioria significativa (p<0,05) dos indivíduos que usaram drogas de abuso correspondeu aos participantes mais velhos envolvidos no estudo. Entre os participantes que usaram drogas, a maioria significativa (p<0,05) indicou uso de drogas lícitas. 4 (9,8%) participantes não fizeram uso de nenhuma droga de abuso e todos pertenciam aos períodos iniciais do curso. Houve predomínio do uso de bebidas alcoólicas, tabaco e maconha. Houve maioria absoluta de estudantes que afirmaram nunca ter tentado controlar ou diminuir o uso de drogas (n=31), independente do período cursado. A pesquisa ratifica a importância da temática e demonstra a necessidade de acompanhamento constante do público universitário.

A descriptive, cross-sectional, quantitative study was carried out among students from the initial and final semesters of the Pharmacy course at the Federal University of Piauí (UFPI) during 2019, seeking to analyze the profile of drug abuse among students, subject of scarce publications in Piauí. A closed-answer questionnaire based on the adapted "ASSIST" version was applied, after approval by the UFPI Research Ethics Committee. Fisher's exact test was used to apply an association hypothesis with a significance of 5%. The survey included 41 participants, 56.0% female and 29.0% male. 63.0% of participants were aged 20 years or more and 22.0% were under 20 years old. It was found that 90.2% reported having already used some abused drug. 17.1% of the students reported having used illegal drugs. The significant majority (p <0.05) of the individuals who used drugs corresponded to the older participants involved in the study. Among the participants who used drugs, the significant majority (p <0.05) indicated use of legal drugs. 4 (9.8%) participants did not use any drugs, and all belonged to the first semesters of the course. There was a predominance of alcoholic beverages, tobacco, and marijuana. There was an absolute majority of students who stated that they had never tried to control or decrease their drug use (n=31), regardless of the semester taken. The research confirms the importance of the theme and demonstrates the need for constant monitoring of the university population.

Inhibition of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 replication by hypertonic saline solution in lung and kidney epithelial cells

An unprecedented global health crisis has been caused by a new virus called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). We performed experiments to test if a hypertonic saline solution was capable of inhibiting virus replication. Our data show that 1.2% NaCl inhibited virus replication by 90%, achieving 100% of inhibition at 1.5% in the nonhuman primate kidney cell line Vero, and 1.1% of NaCl was sufficient to inhibit the virus replication by 88% in human epithelial lung cell line Calu-3. Furthermore, our results indicate that the inhibition is due to an intracellular mechanism and not to the dissociation of the spike SARS-CoV-2 protein and its human receptor. NaCl depolarizes the plasma membrane causing a low energy state (high ADP/ATP concentration ratio) without impairing mitochondrial function, supposedly associated with the inhibition of the SARS-CoV-2 life cycle. Membrane depolarization and intracellular energy deprivation are possible mechanisms by which the hypertonic saline solution efficiently prevents virus replication in vitro assays.

Social determinants associated with Zika virus infection in pregnant women

This study aims to describe the sociodemographic determinants associated with exposure to Zika Virus (ZIKV) in pregnant women during the 2015–2016 epidemic in Salvador, Brazil. Methods We recruited women who gave birth between October 2015 and January 2016 to a cross-sectional study at a referral maternity hospital in Salvador, Brazil. We collected information on their demographic, socioeconomic, and clinical characteristics, and evaluated their ZIKV exposure using a plaque reduction neutralization test. Logistic regression was then used to assess the relationship between these social determinants and ZIKV exposure status. Results We included 469 pregnant women, of whom 61% had a positive ZIKV result. Multivariate analysis found that lower education (adjusted Prevalence Rate [aPR] 1.21; 95%CI 1.04–1.35) and food insecurity (aPR 1.17; 95%CI 1.01–1.30) were positively associated with ZIKV exposure. Additionally, age was negatively associated with the infection risk (aPR 0.99; 95%CI 0.97–0.998). Conclusion Eve after controlling for age, differences in key social determinants, as education and food security, were associated with the risk of ZIKV infection among pregnant women in Brazil. Our findings elucidate risk factors that can be targeted by future interventions to reduce the impact of ZIKV infection in this vulnerable population.