Isotemporal substitution analysis of time between sedentary behavior, and physical activity on sleep quality in younger adults: a multicenter study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of replacing time spent in sedentary behavior (SB) with moderate to vigorous physical activity on sleep quality in young adults. METHODS: Multicenter cross-sectional study, carried out with students enrolled in undergraduate courses at universities in Brazil. Sleep quality was assessed using a question of the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-brief) and classified as good or poor sleep quality. SB was evaluated by self-reported total sitting time, and the level of leisure-time PA was classified according to the intensity of moderate-intensity physical activity (MPA) and vigorous-intensity physical activity (VPA), which were assessed using a self-reported questionnaire. An isotemporal replacement logistic model was used to evaluate the effects of different SB, MPA, and VPA sessions on sleep quality. RESULTS: A total of 8,059 study participants were evaluated, the majority had poor sleep quality (64.79%), were physically inactive (48.28%, defined as practicing < 150 min of MPA or < 75 min of VPA per week), and spent ≥ 9 h/day in SB (55.08%). The multivariate model showed an association between non-adherence to wake-based movement guidelines and poor sleep quality, where those with one altered behavior were 43% more likely to have poor sleep quality (OR:1.43;95%CI:1.27 to 1.60), while individuals with two altered behaviors were 97% more likely (OR:1.97;95%CI:1.73 to 2.24). In the isotemporal analysis, replacing MPA and VPA with equivalent time in SB increased the odds of poor sleep at all times assessed, with peaks of 56% for MPA and 68% for VPA. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study indicate that replacing SB with the same amount of MPA or VPA may reduce poor sleep quality.

Determining recommended acceptable intake limits for N-nitrosamine impurities in pharmaceuticals: Development and application of the Carcinogenic Potency Categorization Approach (CPCA).

N-Nitrosamine impurities, including nitrosamine drug substance-related impurities (NDSRIs), have challenged pharmaceutical industry and regulators alike and affected the global drug supply over the past 5 years. Nitrosamines are a class of known carcinogens, but NDSRIs have posed additional challenges as many lack empirical data to establish acceptable intake (AI) limits. Read-across analysis from surrogates has been used to identify AI limits in some cases; however, this approach is limited by the availability of robustly-tested surrogates matching the structural features of NDSRIs, which usually contain a diverse array of functional groups. Furthermore, the absence of a surrogate has resulted in conservative AI limits in some cases, posing practical challenges for impurity control. Therefore, a new framework for determining recommended AI limits was urgently needed. Here, the Carcinogenic Potency Categorization Approach (CPCA) and its supporting scientific rationale are presented. The CPCA is a rapidly-applied structure-activity relationship-based method that assigns a nitrosamine to 1 of 5 categories, each with a corresponding AI limit, reflecting predicted carcinogenic potency. The CPCA considers the number and distribution of α-hydrogens at the N-nitroso center and other activating and deactivating structural features of a nitrosamine that affect the α-hydroxylation metabolic activation pathway of carcinogenesis. The CPCA has been adopted internationally by several drug regulatory authorities as a simplified approach and a starting point to determine recommended AI limits for nitrosamines without the need for compound-specific empirical data.

Food insecurity and social inequalities in households headed by older people in Brazil: a secondary cross-sectional analysis of a national survey.

BACKGROUND: The presence of food insecurity in households headed by older people is related to social inequalities. The objective of this study was to analyze the prevalence and factors associated with moderate/severe food insecurity in households headed by older people. METHODS: A cross-sectional study based on a nationally representative sample of older adults aged ≥ 60 years was conducted using data from the 2017/2018 Family Budget Survey. In the study, moderate/severe food insecurity was the dependent variable, with food insecurity assessed with the Brazilian Household Food Insecurity Measurement Scale. Prevalence and odds ratio estimates were generated with 99% confidence intervals. Data analysis was performed using STATA software. FINDINGS: A total of 16,314 households headed by older people were identified. Approximately 10.1% of these households were in the moderate/severe range for food insecurity. The majority are female (11.9%)and self-declared indigenous people (25.5%), with a lack of schooling (18.3%) and a per capita income of up to half of one minimum wage (29.6%). The analysis model found that color/race, region, schooling, per capita household income, and social benefits received in the household were statistically significant factors (p value < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Moderate/severe food insecurity in households headed by older people is associated with the pronounced social inequalities present in Brazil, and these findings intensify the need for additional study of the challenges faced by this age group.

Analysis of different domains of physical activity with health-related quality of life in adults: 2-year cohort.

BACKGROUND: It is estimated that, worldwide, 9% of deaths occur as a result of insufficient physical activity (PA) practice. Practicing PA can prevent and/or reduce the deleterious effects of different types of diseases and can improve general health aspects related to health-related quality of life (HRQoL). PURPOSE: To analyze the relationship of different PA domains with different HRQoL domains over a two-year period. METHODS: This is an observational study with a two-year longitudinal design. The sample, composed of adults, was selected from a randomization of the streets of the different regions (north, south, east, west and center) covering individuals from all areas of the city. To assess the practice of PA, the Baecke questionnaire was used. The instrument Medical Outcomes Study SF-36-Item Short Form Health Survey was used to assess the HRQoL domains. Linear regression models were used to analyzed the association of different PA domains with changes in HRQoL. Multivariate statistical models were adjusted for gender, age, socioeconomic status, marital status, the respective PA score at baseline, smoking, body mass index, and morbidity. RESULTS: 331 adults were evaluated. There was a decrease in the practice of PA in the occupational domain and an increase in the leisure/locomotion domain. Regarding HRQoL, there was an increase in the scores of body pain and mental health, and a decrease in scores of general health, vitality, social aspects and emotional aspects. The PA practice in the occupational domain was inversely related to functional capacity (ß = - 7.2 [CI 95% - 13.0; - 1.4]). The practice of PA through sports in leisure time was positively associated with vitality (ß = 5.5 [CI 95% 0.2; 10.7]) and mental health (ß = 15.2 [CI 95% 6.8; 23.7]). PA practice during leisure and locomotion was inversely associated with functional capacity (ß = - 5.68 [CI 95% - 10.7; - 0.6]) and positively associated with vitality ß = 4.8 [CI 95% 0.8; 8.7]) and mental health (ß = 8.4 [CI 95% 2.0; 14.9]). The total PA practice was inversely associated with functional capacity (ß = - 3.8 [CI 95% - 6.5; - 1.2]) and positively associated with pain in the body (ß = 4.9 [CI 95% 0.3; 9.4]), vitality (ß = 2.9 [CI 95% 0.7; 5.0]) and mental health (ß = 5.7 [CI 95% 2.2; 9.2]). CONCLUSIONS: It is suggested that practicing PA continuously within a period of two years can positively affect some physical aspects and some mental aspects related to HRQoL, but not all of them. A strategy for public policy actions is to explore these variables by domain and thus detect the real needs and improvements that can be made for the population.

Governmental programmes associated with food insecurity among communities of descendants of enslaved blacks in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the access to government programmes and their association with food insecurity (FI) in families from quilombolas communities in Brazil. DESIGN: An analysis of secondary data from the 2011 Quilombolas Census was performed in Brazilian territories. The Brazilian Household Food Insecurity Measurement Scale (Escala Brasileira de Insegurança Alimentar, EBIA) was used to assess the household FI status. The relationships of governmental programmes with the levels of FI were estimated using logistic regression models. SETTING: Greater national survey census of food and nutritional security of the recognised Quilombolas Brazilian territories. PARTICIPANTS: Totally, 8743 quilombolas families. RESULTS: The prevalence of household FI was 86·1 % (moderate/severe FI: 55·9 %, 95 % CI 54·8, 56·9). After adjustment for socio-demographic variables, access to rural development programmes (Food Acquisition Program: OR: 0·6, 95 % CI 0·4, 0·8, P-value < 0·01) and health programmes (Center for Family Health Support: OR: 0·5, 95 % CI 0·5, 0·7, P-value < 0·001) is inversely and significantly associated with moderate/severe FI. The Brazilian conditional cash transfer programme (Bolsa Família) was associated with quilombolas families with moderate/severe levels of FI (OR: 3·3, 95 % CI 2·8, 4·0, P-value < 0·001). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of FI was high among quilombolas families. Despite reduced participation in governmental programmes, rural development, agriculture and conditional cash transfer programmes are fundamental to the autonomy of quilombolas communities. In spite of the low participation, when families are able to access these programmes, the study revealed the importance of these initiatives in reducing the likelihood of severe levels of FI.

Socioeconomic determinants of excess weight and obesity among Indigenous women: findings from the First National Survey of Indigenous People's Health and Nutrition in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: This article assesses the nutritional status of Indigenous women from 14 to 49 years of age in Brazil. DESIGN: Sample size was calculated for each region considering a prevalence of 50 % for all disease outcomes, a relative error of 5 % and a CI of 95 %. In the initial data analysis, the prevalence of excess weight and obesity was calculated according to independent variables. Multivariate multilevel hierarchical analyses were conducted based on a theoretical model of two ranked blocks. SETTING: The 2010 Indigenous population in Brazil was 896 000, with approximately 300 Indigenous ethnic groups, making Brazil one of the most ethnically diverse countries in the Americas and the world. PARTICIPANTS: Of the total target sample of 6722 women evaluated by the National Survey, thirty did not participate, 939 were not eligible for analyses due to pregnancy or unknown pregnancy status, and thirty-nine were excluded due to missing anthropometric data. RESULTS: The evaluation of nutritional status was completed for 5714 non-pregnant women (99·3 % of eligible participants for this outcome). High prevalence rates were encountered for both excess weight (46·2 %) and obesity (15·8 %) among the sampled women. In the multivariate analyses, higher socioeconomic indicators, market-integrated living conditions and less reliance on local food production, as well as increased age and parity were associated with excess weight and obesity. CONCLUSION: Results point to distinct patterns of associations between socioeconomic indicators and the occurrence of excess weight and obesity among Indigenous women, which have potentially significant implications from a public policy perspective for Indigenous peoples in Brazil.

Benznidazole in vitro dissolution release from a pH-sensitive drug delivery system using Zif-8 as a carrier.

Chagas disease is a neglected tropical disease caused by the flagellate protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi). Endemic in underdeveloped and developed countries, due to the migratory movement, it is considered a serious public health problem. Endemic in underdeveloped countries and due to the migratory movement, in developed countries as well, it is considered a serious public health problem. One of the reasons for this is a weak therapeutic arsenal, represented only by the drug benznidazole (BNZ) which, although it promotes significant cure rates in the acute phase of the disease, presents serious problems of toxicity and bioavailability, mainly due to its low aqueous solubility. Several studies have presented several drug delivery systems (DDS) based on BNZ aiming at enhancing its solubility in aqueous medium and, with this, promoting an increase in the dissolution rate and, consequently, in its bioavailability. However, the present work is a pioneer in using a zeolitic imidazolate framework as a carrier agent for a DDS in order to promote a pH-sensitive modulation of the drug. Thus, this work aimed to develop a novel DDS based on BNZ and the ZIF-8 to use it in development of prolonged-release dosage forms to alternative treatment of Chagas disease. The BNZ@ZIF-8 system was obtained through an ex situ method selected due to its higher incorporation efficiency (38%). Different characterization techniques corroborated the obtainment and drug release data were analyzed by in vitro dissolution assay under sink and non-sink conditions and setting the kinetic results through both model dependent and independent methods. Under sink conditions, at pH 4.5, BNZ and BNZ@ZIF-8 showed similar release profile, but the DDS was effective in promoting a prolonged release. At pH 7.6, after 7 h, BNZ showed a lower release than BNZ@ZIF-8. On the other hand, in non-sink conditions at pH 4.5 the BNZ presented 80% of drug release in 3 h, while the DDS in 6 h. At pH 7.6, BNZ presented a release of 80% in 2 h, while the DDS reaches it in only at 12 h. Therefore, at pH 4.5 the DDS BNZ@ZIF-8 showed a faster release with a burst effect, while at pH 7.6 it showed a prolonged and controlled release. Finally, it is evident that a promising DDS pH-sensitive was obtained as a novel carrier that might be able to prolongs BNZ release in dosage forms intended for the alternative treatment of Chagas disease.

Food Profiles of Indigenous Households in Brazil: Results of the First National Survey of Indigenous Peoples' Health and Nutrition.

The objective of the present study was to characterize the food profiles in Indigenous households participating in the First National Survey of Indigenous People's Health and Nutrition in Brazil. Multiple correspondence analysis was used to estimate distances between regions and foods from three sources (local Indigenous production, purchased, and external donation), in addition to "not consumed." The combined distribution of the first two dimensions revealed three distinct profiles of food acquisition. Observed proximities between geopolitical regions and distinct modes of food acquisition speak to regional contrasts in food sovereignty among the Indigenous population that are closely linked to historical occupation and economic expansion in the country. Considering the concept of food sovereignty as involving rights to dietary autonomy, healthy diets, and resource management, our data suggest Brazil's North region is the closest of the four regions analyzed to these goals. Food sovereignty in the Northeast and South/Southeast regions is reduced due to greater monetarization and proximity to market economy resources. The advance of agribusiness in the Amazon has been a hallmark of the Brazilian government's current environmental policy, directly threatening the survival of Indigenous peoples living in that region.

Hematopoietic stem cells from induced pluripotent stem cells - considering the role of microRNA as a cell differentiation regulator.

Although hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) therapy for hematological diseases can lead to a good outcome from the clinical point of view, the limited number of ideal donors, the comorbidity of patients and the increasing number of elderly patients may limit the application of this therapy. HSCs can be generated from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), which requires the understanding of the bone marrow and liver niches components and function in vivo iPSCs have been extensively applied in several studies involving disease models, drug screening and cellular replacement therapies. However, the somatic reprogramming by transcription factors is a low-efficiency process. Moreover, the reprogramming process is also regulated by microRNAs (miRNAs), which modulate the expression of the transcription factors OCT-4 (also known as POU5F1), SOX-2, KLF-4 and MYC, leading somatic cells to a pluripotent state. In this Review, we present an overview of the challenges of cell reprogramming protocols with regard to HSC generation from iPSCs, and highlight the potential role of miRNAs in cell reprogramming and in the differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cells.

The Xavante Longitudinal Health Study in Brazil: Objectives, design, and key results.

OBJECTIVE: The Xavante Longitudinal Health Study was developed to permit granular tracking of contemporary health challenges faced by indigenous communities in Brazil, taking into consideration ongoing historical processes that may be associated with increases in child undernutrition, adult obesity, and cardiovascular disease risks. METHODS: This was an open-cohort study with six semiannual data collection waves from 2009 to 2012. The study was undertaken in two Xavante villages, Pimentel Barbosa and Etênhiritipá, State of Mato Grosso, Central Brazil. No sampling technique was used. Data collection placed emphasis on growth and nutrition of children under five and nutrition status, blood pressure, and blood glucose levels of adolescents and adults. RESULTS: Baseline data collection began in July/August 2009 with a population census (656 individuals). Between the first and final waves, the study population increased by 17%. At baseline, stunting and wasting was elevated for most age groups <10 years. Overweight, obesity, and increased risk of metabolic complications were expressive among individuals >17 years, disproportionately affecting females. Anemia was elevated in most age groups, especially among females. Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure was moderate. The overall prevalence of high blood pressure was relatively low. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings reveal marked health disparities relative to the Brazilian national population and a complex dietary health epidemiology involving the double burden of malnutrition, rapidly changing nutritional indicators, and elevated metabolic disease risk. The topically broad multidisciplinary focus permitted construction of the richest longitudinal data set of socio-epidemiological information for an indigenous population in Brazil.

High cholesterol dietary intake during pregnancy is associated with large for gestational age in a sample of low-income women of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The association between the quality of maternal dietary fat intake during pregnancy and the infant's birthweight (BW) remains controversial. Our goal was to investigate the association between maternal dietary fat intake during pregnancy and the rate of large for gestational age (LGA) newborns. This study employed a cross-sectional analysis of 297 pairs of mothers/children attending a public maternity at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. BW for gestational age according to the Intergrowth 21st was defined as follows: adequate for gestational age (AGA ≤ 90th percentile) and LGA (>90th percentile). The statistical analysis was a Poisson regression with robust estimations of the standard errors. Maternal dietary fat intake variables comprised lipids (% total energy); saturated (mg/1000 kcal), monounsaturated (mg/1000 kcal) and polyunsaturated (mg/1000 kcal) fats; and cholesterol (mg/1000 kcal), all of which were obtained with a Food Frequency Questionnaire. The mean BW was 3338 g (SD = 446.9), and the rate of LGA newborns was 13.1%. The mean maternal total energy intake was 2880 kcal (SD = 1074), cholesterol was 154.3 mg/1000 kcal (SD = 68.1) and monounsaturated fat was 6.9 mg/1000 kcal (SD = 2). Mothers of LGA newborns reported higher cholesterol dietary intake (195.8 vs. 148 mg/1000 kcal; P < 0.001), pre-pregnancy body mass index (25.1 vs. 23.5 kg/m2 ; P = 0.026) when compared with mothers of AGA newborns. Women with cholesterol intake within the fourth quartile were 2.48 (95% confidence interval: 1.31-4.66) times more likely to have an LGA infant compared with those in the 1-3 quartiles. Dietary intake of cholesterol during pregnancy influences LGA even after adjusting for other confounders.

The expression of Death Inducer-Obliterator (DIDO) variants in Myeloproliferative Neoplasms.

Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML), Polycythemia Vera (PV), Essential Thrombocythemia (ET) and Primary Myelofibrosis (PMF) are Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPN) characterized by clonal myeloproliferation without cell maturation impairment. CML pathogenesis is associated with the Ph chromosome leading to BCR-ABL tyrosine-kinase constitutive expression. The Ph negative MPN (PV, ET and PMF) are characterized by the mutation JAK2(V617F) of the JAK2 protein in the auto-inhibitory JH2 domain, which is found in most PV patients and in approximately half of ET and PMF patients. Considerable effort is being made to understand the role of JAK2(V617F) at the MPN initiation and to clarify the pathogenesis and apoptosis resistance in CML, PV, ET and PMF patients. In the present investigation, we evaluated the Death Inducer-Obliterator (DIDO) (variants DIDO 1, 2 and 3) levels in CML, PV, ET and PMF patients. Our data reported the DIDO 1, 2 and 3 differential expressions in Myeloproliferative Neoplasms.

Physical growth curves of indigenous Xavante children in Central Brazil: results from a longitudinal study (2009-2012).

BACKGROUND: The nutritional profile of Indigenous children in Brazil is comparable to those observed in some of the least developed regions of the world. AIM: Weight and height growth curves were characterised based on longitudinal data from a local Indigenous population experiencing the double burden of child under-nutrition and adult obesity. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Anthropometric data were collected in six waves from 2009-2011 for children <10 in two proximate Xavante villages in Central Brazil. Prevalence rates for stunting, wasting and thinness were calculated using WHO references. Weight and height data were adjusted for generalised additive mixed models to generate growth curves. RESULTS: Prevalence rates of stunting and wasting were high, but cases of thinness and excess weight were negligible. Weight and height began close to WHO medians, but fell substantially before 12 months. Boys but not girls were able to catch-up in weight before age 10. From 3-10 years, height for both sexes remained between -2 and 0 z-scores. CONCLUSION: Impaired Xavante growth before 1 year followed by inconsistent recovery before 10 years reflects health and wellbeing disparities with regard to the Brazilian national population and a complex epidemiology of growth involving rapid nutritional change.

Reduced activities of phospholipases A2 in platelets of drug-naïve bipolar disorder patients.

OBJECTIVE: Phospholipases A2 (PLA2 ) comprise a family of hydrolytic enzymes that cleave membrane phospholipids and play a key role in cellular homeostasis. Alterations in enzymatic activity have been hypothesized in bipolar disorder (BD). Recent studies suggest that PLA2 activity in platelets may reflect PLA2 activity in the brain. The aim of this study was to determine PLA2 activity in platelets of BD patients. METHODS: We determined the activity of PLA2 subtypes [extracellular, calcium-dependent PLA2 (sPLA2 ), intracellular, calcium-dependent PLA2 (cPLA2 ), and intracellular, calcium-independent PLA2 (iPLA2 )] by a radioenzymatic method in platelets from 20 patients with BD (15 drug-naïve and five drug-free) and from 16 age- and gender-matched healthy controls. RESULTS: We found that iPLA2 , cPLA2 , and sPLA2 activities were lower in drug-naïve patients with BD when compared to the control group (p = 0.017, p < 0.001, and p < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Reduced PLA2 activity at the early stage of BD may disrupt brain function and increase the risk for the disease. Moreover, epidemiological studies show that patients with BD have a fivefold increased risk for developing Alzheimer's disease. Because patients with Alzheimer's disease also have reduced PLA2 activity, the present finding of reduced PLA2 in the BD group may be related to the risk factor for these individuals developing Alzheimer's disease in advanced age.

Apoptosis-related gene expression profile in chronic myeloid leukemia patients after imatinib mesylate and dasatinib therapy.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We investigated the effects of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) on the expression of apoptosis-related genes (BCL-2 and death receptor family members) in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients. METHODS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 32 healthy subjects and 26 CML patients were evaluated before and after treatment with imatinib mesylate (IM) and dasatinib (DAS) by quantitative PCR. RESULTS: Anti-apoptotic genes (c-FLIP and MCL-1) were overexpressed and the pro-apoptotic BIK was reduced in CML patients. Expression of BMF, A1, c-FLIP, MCL-1, CIAP-2 and CIAP-1 was modulated by DAS. In IM-resistant patients, expression of A1, c-FLIP, CIAP-1 and MCL-1 was upregulated, and BCL-2, CIAP-2, BAK, BAX, BIK and FASL expression was downregulated. CONCLUSION: Taken together, our results point out that, in CML, DAS interferes with the apoptotic machinery regulation. In addition, the data suggest that apoptosis-related gene expression profiles are associated with primary resistance to IM.

Lower phosphorylated glycogen synthase kinase-3B levels in platelets of patients with schizophrenia: increment by olanzapine treatment.

Glycogen synthase kinase-3B (GSK-3B) is involved with important neuronal processes such as cell survival, gene regulation, mood and cognitive performance. This enzyme is inactivated by phosphorylation at the phospho-Ser9 site. We compared GSK-3B levels in patients with schizophrenia to a health control group. The levels of phosphorylated and total GSK-3B in platelets of ten drug-free patients, ten long-term olanzapine treated patients and 20 healthy controls were determined by means of an enzyme immunoassay kit. In drug-free patients, GSK-3B levels were accessed again after 8 weeks on treatment with olanzapine. At baseline, drug-free patients presented lower phosphorylated and total GSK-3B levels than healthy controls (p < 0.05). After 8 weeks on olanzapine treatment, phosphorylated and total GSK-3B levels were significantly increased (p < 0.01). Reduced phospho-Ser9-GSK-3B in schizophrenia may disrupt signal-transduction pathways and influence crucial cellular processes, such as transcription, apoptosis, stress response and cell proliferation. Further studies should clarify whether the increment of GSK-3B phosphorylation by olanzapine is related to its antipsychotic effects.

An effective and biocompatible antibiofilm coating for central venous catheter.

The aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro and in vivo efficacy and the tissue reaction of an antibiofilm coating composed of xylitol, triclosan, and polyhexamethylene biguanide. The antimicrobial activity was analyzed by a turbidimetric method. Scanning electron microscopy was used to evaluate the antiadherent property of central venous catheter (CVC) fragments impregnated with an antibiofilm coating (I-CVC) in comparison with noncoated CVC (NC-CVC) fragments. Two in vivo assays using subcutaneous implantation of NC-CVC and I-CVC fragments in the dorsal area of rats were performed. The first assay comprised hematological and microbiological analysis. The second assay evaluated tissue response by examining the inflammatory reactions after 7 and 21 days. The formulation displayed antimicrobial activity against all tested strains. A biofilm disaggregation with significant reduction of microorganism's adherence in I-CVC fragments was observed. In vivo antiadherence results demonstrated a reduction of early biofilm formation of Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, mainly in an external surface of the I-CVC, in comparison with the NC-CVC. All animals displayed negative hemoculture. No significant tissue reaction was observed, indicating that the antibiofilm formulation could be considered biocompatible. The use of I-CVC could decrease the probability of development of localized or systemic infections.

Evaluation of conjunctival swab as a mass-screening tool for molecular diagnosis of canine visceral leishmaniasis.

The canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) diagnosis is an important step of visceral leishmaniasis control program in Brazil once the dog is the main reservoir host of the disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the conjunctival swab (CS) as a mass-screening tool for CVL molecular diagnosis in an endemic area classified as priority for the Brazilian Ministry of Healthy for surveillance action. A total of 1350 domiciled dogs were screened. The animals were evaluated by serological tests (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) as screening and immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT) for confirmation) and by CS associated to real-time PCR, using primers addressed to kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) minicircles and SYBR Green. Canine ß-globin gene amplification was used to evaluate the sample DNA integrity. A subgroup of 484 animals was also submitted to clinical evaluation. Among the 1350 dogs screened, 369 (27.3%) were positive by CS real-time PCR and 126 (9.3%) tested positive by ELISA. Thirty-one percent (39/126) of the ELISA-positive dogs were confirmed by IFAT. CS real-time PCR was able to detect infection in dogs independently of the symptomatology degree (p > 0.05), while ELISA was more sensitive in the group of dogs that present three or more clinical signs related to CVL. The results demonstrated that CS real-time PCR was able to detect a higher number of infected dogs than ELISA and that the prevalence of canine infections has been underestimated by the serological assays. The use of sensitive molecular diagnostic methods like CS real-time PCR, mainly in endemic areas, could greatly contribute to disease control.

Exclusive breastfeeding duration within a cohort of indigenous Terena living in the urban area of Campo Grande, Central-West Region, Brazil.

In Brazil, current information about breastfeeding indicators among indigenous living in the urban areas is lacking. This article describes the duration of exclusive breastfeeding and its associations with mother and child characteristics in a cohort of Terena infants. The study enrolled infants born between June 2017 to July 2018 (n = 42) and living in villages of the urban area of Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil. Information was collected in four time-points. Variables on maternal sociodemographics and on maternal and child health characteristics were collected, respectively, during the antenatal and the first-month interviews. Variables on breastfeeding practices and bottle use were collected during the first-, six- and 12-month interviews. Associations were examined using Wilcoxon, Kruskal-Wallis, Pearson's chi-square, and Fisher's exact tests. The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding duration to the ages of three and six months were, respectively, 50% and 11.9%. Compared to infants never introduced to bottles during the first three months of life, those bottle-fed had lower median duration of exclusive breastfeeding (15 versus 150 days) and lower prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding duration to the age of three months (22.7% versus 80%). Most Terena infants fell short of meeting the international recommended duration of exclusive breastfeeding until six months of age and suggested the negative impact of bottle use in the duration of exclusive breastfeeding.