multiMarker: software for modelling and prediction of continuous food intake using multiple biomarkers measurements.

BACKGROUND: Metabolomic biomarkers offer potential for objective and reliable food intake assessment, and there is growing interest in using biomarkers in place of or with traditional self-reported approaches. Ongoing research suggests that multiple biomarkers are associated with single foods, offering great sensitivity and specificity. However, currently there is a dearth of methods to model the relationship between multiple biomarkers and single food intake measurements. RESULTS: Here, we introduce multiMarker, a web-based application based on the homonymous R package, that enables one to infer the relationship between food intake and two or more metabolomic biomarkers. Furthermore, multiMarker allows prediction of food intake from biomarker data alone. multiMarker differs from previous approaches by providing distributions of predicted intakes, directly accounting for uncertainty in food intake quantification. Usage of both the R package and the web application is demonstrated using real data concerning three biomarkers for orange intake. Further, example data is pre-loaded in the web application to enable users to examine multiMarker's functionality. CONCLUSION: The proposed software advance the field of Food Intake Biomarkers providing researchers with a novel tool to perform continuous food intake quantification, and to assess its associated uncertainty, from multiple biomarkers. To facilitate widespread use of the framework, multiMarker has been implemented as an R package and a Shiny web application.

A new qualitative RT-PCR assay detecting SARS-CoV-2.

The world is facing an exceptional pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2. To allow the diagnosis of COVID-19 infections, several assays based on the real-time PCR technique have been proposed. The requests for diagnosis are such that it was immediately clear that the choice of the most suitable method for each microbiology laboratory had to be based, on the one hand, on the availability of materials, and on the other hand, on the personnel and training priorities for this activity. Unfortunately, due to high demand, the shortage of commercial diagnostic kits has also become a major problem. To overcome these critical issues, we have developed a new qualitative RT-PCR probe. Our system detects three genes-RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), envelope (E) and nucleocapsid (N)-and uses the ß-actin gene as an endogenous internal control. The results from our assay are in complete agreement with the results obtained using a commercially available kit, except for two samples that did not pass the endogenous internal control. The coincidence rate was 0.96. The LoD of our assay was 140 cp/reaction for N and 14 cp/reaction for RdRp and E. Our kit was designed to be open, either for the nucleic acid extraction step or for the RT-PCR assay, and to be carried out on several instruments. Therefore, it is free from the industrial production logics of closed systems, and conversely, it is hypothetically available for distribution in large quantities to any microbiological laboratory. The kit is currently distributed worldwide (called MOLgen-COVID-19; Adaltis). A new version of the kit for detecting the S gene is also available.

Combining biomarker and food intake data: calibration equations for citrus intake.

BACKGROUND: Measurement error associated with self-reported dietary intake is a well-documented issue. Combining biomarkers of food intake and dietary intake data is a high priority. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to develop calibration equations for food intake, illustrated with an application for citrus intake. Further, a simulation-based framework was developed to determine the portion of biomarker data needed for stable calibration equation estimation in large population studies. METHODS: Calibration equations were developed using mean daily self-reported citrus intake (4-d semiweighed food diaries) and biomarker-derived intake (urinary proline betaine biomarker) data from participants (n = 565) as part of a cross-sectional study. Different functional specifications and biomarker transformations were tested to derive the optimal calibration equation specifications. The simulation study was developed using linear regression for the calibration equations. Stability in the calibration equation estimations was investigated for varying portions of biomarker and intake data "qualities." RESULTS: With citrus intake, linear regression on nontransformed biomarker data resulted in the optimal calibration equation specifications and produced good-quality predicted intakes. The lowest mean squared error (14,354) corresponded to a linear regression model, defined with biomarker-derived estimates of intakes on the original scale. Using this model in a subpopulation without biomarker data resulted in an average mean ± SD citrus intake of 81 ± 66 g/d. The simulation study suggested that in large population studies, biomarker data on 20-30% of the subjects are required to guarantee stable estimation of calibration equations. This article is accompanied by a web application ("Bio-Intake"), which was developed to facilitate measurement error correction in self-reported mean daily citrus intake data. CONCLUSIONS: Calibration equations proved to be a useful instrument to correct measurement error in self-reported food intake data. The simulation study demonstrated that the use of food intake biomarkers may be feasible and beneficial in the context of large population studies.

O conceito de inclusão de discentes de educação física de universidades públicas do estado de São Paulo no contexto social da sua prática / The concept of inclusion of physical education students from public universities in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, in the social context of its practice / El concepto de inclusión de alumnos de educación física de universidades públicas del estado de São Paulo/Brasil en el contexto social de su práctica

A formação inicial em Educação Física tem se reconstruído segundo os paradigmas inclusivos em implantação na sociedade. Assim, este estudo objetivou verificar o conceito de inclusão apresentado por estudantes universitários concluintes do curso de Educação Física em instituições públicas do estado de São Paulo. Para isso, foi desenvolvida uma pesquisa qualitativa por meio da aplicação de questionário a 322 acadêmicos. Os dados foram analisados pelo programa Iramuteq, por meio das análises de Classificação pelo Método de Reinert, Análise de Similitude e Nuvem de Palavras. Como resultado, foi identificado que os discentes respondentes têm alcançado a construção de um conceito de inclusão condizente com a complexidade do princípio, considerando aspectos legais, sociais, psicológicos e afetivos imbuídos nessa proposta

Initial training in Physical Education has been rebuilt according to inclusive paradigms being established in society. This study looks into the concept of inclusion presented by senior Physical Education college students at public institutions of the state of São Paulo. Qualitative research was conducted through questionnaires answered by 322 students. Data were analyzed using Iramuteq software by Reinert Classification analysis. The results showed that students built a concept of inclusion compatible with the principle of complexity, considering legal, social, psychological and affective characteristics included in that proposition

La formación inicial en Educación Física se ha reconstruido según los paradigmas inclusivos en implantación en la sociedad. Así, ese estudio objetivó verificar cuál es el concepto de Inclusión presentado por los estudiantes universitarios que concluyen el curso de Educación Física en instituciones públicas del estado de São Paulo. Así, se desarrolló una investigación cualitativa a través de la aplicación de cuestionario a 322 académicos. Los datos fueron analizados con el programa Iramuteq, empleando los análisis de Clasificación por el Método de Reinert, Análisis de Similitud y Nube de Palabras. Como resultado, se ha identificado que los alumnos participantes han alcanzado la construcción de un concepto de Inclusión de acuerdo con la complejidad del principio, considerando aspectos legales, sociales, psicológicos y afectivos incluidos en esa propuesta

Dissecting the pathophysiology of immune thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura: interplay between genes and environmental triggers.

Although outstanding progress has been made in understanding the pathophysiology of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), knowledge of the immunopathogenesis of the disease is only at an early stage. Anti-ADAMTS13 auto-antibodies were shown to block proteolysis of von Willebrand factor and/or induce ADAMTS13 clearance from the circulation. However, it still remains to identify which immune cells are involved in the production of anti-ADAMTS13 autoantibodies, and therefore account for the remarkable efficacy of the B-cell depleting agents in this disease. The mechanisms leading to the loss of tolerance of the immune system towards ADAMTS13 involve the predisposing genetic factors of the human leukocyte antigen class II locus DRB1*11 and DQB1*03 alleles as well as the protective allele DRB1*04, and modifying factors such as ethnicity, sex and obesity. Future studies have to identify why these identified genetic risk factors are also frequently to be found in the healthy population although the incidence of immune-mediated thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (iTTP) is extremely low. Moreover, the development of recombinant ADAMTS13 opens a new therapeutic era in the field. Interactions of recombinant ADAMTS13 with the immune system of iTTP patients will require intensive investigation, especially for its potential immunogenicity. Better understanding of iTTP immunopathogenesis should, therefore, provide a basis for the development of novel therapeutic approaches to restore immune tolerance towards ADAMTS13 and thereby better prevent refractoriness and relapses in patients with iTTP. In this review, we address these issues and the related challenges in this field.

Integración entre servicios de salud y comunidad. Evaluación cualitativa de servicios de primer nivel de atención de la ciudad de corrientes / Integration between health and community services. qualitative assessment services of primary care in the city of corrientes

La integración entre el equipo de salud y su comunidad de referencia es una de las condiciones operativas, yconceptuales, de la Atención Primaria de la Salud. Con el fin de evaluarla, se realizó una investigación en las Salasde Atención Primaria de la Salud de la Ciudad de Corrientes. Se utilizó un método exploratorio orientado desdeuna perspectiva interpretativa-cualitativa. 30 alumnos de la Carrera de Medicina de la Universidad Nacional delNordeste fueron capacitados a tal efecto. Se realizaron observaciones in situ y entrevistas semi-estructuradas alpersonal de salud y a usuarios de las salas. Se realizó un análisis de contenido, esquematizado en un sistema de categorías preestablecidas y enriquecido con subcategorias inducidas a partir del análisis de la información. Como facilitadores para la integración, se encontró por parte del personal del equipo: conocimiento de los problemas de la zona, residencia en el barrio, buena accesibilidad a la atención y respuesta adecuada a la demanda; y por parte de la población: predisposición a participar. Como barreras para la integración: diferencias de conceptos respecto al rol del primer nivel de atención entre equipo de salud y comunidad y escasa integración de algunos profesionales. Se concluyó con que existen factores favorecedores importantes que habría que aprovechar ypotenciar; en tanto, habría que trabajar sobre las barreras, comenzando por el rol fundamental que para esto tiene el equipo de salud. La mejor identificación de categorías que ha permitido este trabajo propicia la realización de estudios de mayor profundidad...

The integration between the health team and its reference community is one of the operating and conceptualconditions, of the primary health care. In order to evaluate, an investigation was carried out in the services ofprimary health care of the city of Corrientes. An exploratory method oriented from an interpretive-qualitativeapproach was used. 30 students from the Medicine Career of the Northeast National University were trained forthis purpose. In situ observations and semi-structured interviews were conducted with health personnel andservices users. It was carried out an analysis of content, outlined in a system of preset categories and enrichedwith subcategories induced from the analysis of information took place. As facilitators for the integration, it wasfound by the staff of the team: knowledge of the problems in the area, residence in the neighborhood,accessibility to care and adequate response to the demand; and by the population: predisposition to participate.As a barrier to integration: differences in concepts regarding the role of the first level of care between health teamand community and poor integration of some professionals. It was concluded that there are important predisposing factors that harness and promote; meanwhile, would have to work on barriers, beginning with the fundamental role that this has the health team. The best identification of categories that allowed this work promotes the realization of further studies...