Do Adult Attachment Style or Personality Mediate the Relationship Between Childhood Maltreatment and Late-Life Depression in Poor Communities?

OBJECTIVE: Childhood maltreatment is associated with late-life depression. Preliminary evidence indicates that personality characteristics, in particular neuroticism and extroversion, and an anxious attachment style mediate this association. The objective is to evaluate 3 models, in which personality and attachment are considered mediators between childhood maltreatment and late-life depression in a socioeconomically disadvantaged Brazilian population. METHODS: This study included participants (n = 260) from socioeconomically disadvantaged neighborhoods of Porto Alegre, Brazil, who completed measures of childhood maltreatment (Childhood Trauma Questionnaire - CTQ), personality characteristics (NEO-Five Factor Inventory), attachment styles (Relationship Scales Questionnaire), and geriatric depression (Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview-Plus). General multiple and sequential mediation analyses were used to test for possible associations. RESULTS: Attachment anxiety but not attachment avoidance is a mediator between childhood maltreatment and geriatric depression. Neuroticism is a full mediator. At that, attachment anxiety was found to be a predictor of neuroticism. Finally, sequential mediation analysis shows a path from childhood maltreatment to geriatric depression through attachment anxiety and neuroticism. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest a pathway from childhood maltreatment to anxious attachment, which in turn predicts higher neuroticism that itself may favor late-life depression. This hypothesis could have implications for older adults living in low socioeconomic settings in that treating the high-risk group of maltreated children may help prevent late-life depression.

Evaluation of phenotypical and genotypical methods for the identification and typing of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia isolated from a pharmaceutical facility.

AIMS: Evaluate methods for identification and typing of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia isolated from a pharmaceutical facility. METHODS AND RESULTS: From 270 S. maltophilia strains identified by VITEK®2, 40 were selected and submitted to MALDI TOF-MS, 16S and 23S rRNA gene analysis, enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus-polymerase chain reaction (ERIC-PCR), and an antimicrobial susceptibility profile. 16S rRNA sequencing was able to identify 39 (97.5%) strains as Stenotrophomonas spp. and one (2.5%) as Luteimonas huabeiensis. MALDI TOF-MS identified 37 (92.5%) strains as S. maltophilia, and three (7.5%) were not identified. PCR targeting 23S rRNA yielded a positive result for 39 (97.5%) strains. However, after sequencing, two strains were identified as Stenotrophomonas rhizophila, showing false-positive results. The confirmed S. maltophilia strains (n = 37) showed 35 distinct ERIC-PCR profiles and exhibited sensitivity to minocycline and levofloxacin, and six (16.3%) showed intermediate resistance to sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim. CONCLUSION: Matrix-assisted laser desorption lonization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) was a satisfactory methodology for the identification of S. maltophilia, but expansion of the database is necessary for the identification of other species. 16S rDNA sequencing showed low resolution for Stenotrophomonas species differentiation. PCR targeting 23S rRNA could not differentiate S. maltophilia from S. rhizophila. ERIC-PCR was shown to be a useful tool for the microbial source tracking of S. maltophilia.

The Brazilian Toxoplasma gondii strain BRI caused greater inflammation and impairment in anxiogenic behavior in mice, which was reverted by rosuvastatin treatment.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of rosuvastatin treatment on anxiety-related behavior and short- and long-term memory impairment in mice infected with acute RH and BRI strains of Toxoplasma gondii. Balb/C mice were infected intraperitoneally and after 2 h, oral treatment with rosuvastatin (40 mg/kg/day) was initiated for 4 days. Behaviors related to anxiety and locomotion were evaluated in the open field (OF), and short- and long-term memory through the novel object recognition test (NOR). At the end of the experiments, peritoneal fluid, brain, liver, and lung were collected for T. gondii DNA quantification and histopathological analysis. Infection with BRI strain reduced the dwell time and central locomotion in the OF (p < 0.05), indicating anxiogenic type behavior, while treatment with rosuvastatin reversed this response (p < 0.05). RH strain infection did not alter any behavior in the OF (p > 0.05) and both strains impaired short- and long-term memory (NOR test), but with no significant treatment effect (p > 0.05). The BRI strain was shown to be more damaging in relation to anxiogenic type behavior when compared to the RH strain (p < 0.05), whereas rosuvastatin reduced this damaging effect in BRI. The treatment reduced the parasite load in the peritoneal lavage, liver, and lung of animals infected with both acute strains; however, it significantly (p < 0.05) attenuated the inflammatory process only in BRI-infected and treated animals, showing that non-archetypal genotypes are more damaging in rodents. This suggests that rosuvastatin may be a drug with great therapeutic potential against T. gondii mainly to reduce damage from virulent strains.

Self-correction of posterior crossbite in childhood: a systematic review of long-term follow-up studies.

BACKGROUND: The concept that posterior crossbite is not self-correcting has been controversial in the literature. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the incidence of self-correction of crossbite in different stages of dentition in childhood. SEARCH METHODS AND SELECTION CRITERIA: A bibliographic search using the acronym PECOS was performed in five databases and in partial grey literature. Studies evaluating children with posterior crossbite in the deciduous or mixed dentition at initial examination and followed for at least 3 years were included. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: The data extraction of the studies included presents information on authorship, clinical characteristics, main results, and conclusions. The risk of bias in the studies was evaluated through the Joanna Briggs Institute tool. The certainty of the evidence was assessed using the GRADE tool. RESULTS: Among the 3045 references identified, seven cohort studies met the eligibility criteria. The studies evaluated patients in transition from deciduous to mixed, mixed to permanent, and deciduous to mixed dentition. Two studies had a low risk of bias, three had a moderate risk, and two had a high risk of bias. The results showed posterior crossbite self-correction frequencies ranging from 12.2 to 77.1% during the transition from primary to mixed dentition, approximately 16% from mixed to permanent dentition, and a range from 20 to 82.8% from deciduous to permanent dentition. The level of certainty of the evidence generated ranged from very low to moderate. LIMITATIONS: The observational design of the studies, without adequate control for confounding factors, and non-classification of the samples considering the types or the severity of the posterior crossbite. CONCLUSION: The self-correction of posterior crossbite in childhood is possible. However, the results of this research do not allow to affirm how often the self-correction of posterior crossbite can occur. New studies that assess factors associated with the occurrence of self-correction of this malocclusion, including oral habits, may increase the certainty of the evidence. REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42022311935.

Yeast-fermented cassava as a protein source in cattle feed: systematic review and meta-analysis.

The present study evaluated the effect of the inclusion of cassava fermented with Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeasts on performance, feed intake, nutrient digestibility, rumen microorganisms and ruminal fermentation of cattle through a systematic review and meta-analysis. The effects of yeast-fermented cassava (YFC) in the diet of cattle were evaluated using the mean difference as a measure of the effect size, considering a confidence interval of 95%. Subgroup and meta-regression analysis were performed to investigate the origin of heterogeneity. The database included eight experiments. Three studies were related to dairy heifers, three related to dairy cow and the remaining two studies were associated to beef heifers. The inclusion of YFC in the bovine diet increased the dry matter intake %BW (P < 0.01) and nutrient digestibility (P < 0.05). We observed an increase in mean ruminal pH (P < 0.01), volatile fatty acid (P < 0.01) and propionic acid concentration (P < 0.01). There was a significant increase in the population of bacteria (P < 0.01) and fungi (P < 0.01), and a reduction in the protozoan count in the rumen fluid (P < 0.01) in the animals fed with YFC. Lactating cows fed YFC produced 1.02 kg/day more (P < 0.01) milk than non-supplemented cows. In addition, there was an increase of 7.4% in the fat (P = 0.03), 6.3% in the protein (P < 0.01) and 2.8% in lactose (P = 0.02) of milk of cows supplemented with YFC. The results of the present meta-analysis showed that the total or partial inclusion of YFC in cattle concentrate improves fermentation and rumen efficiency, dry matter intake, nutrient digestibility, milk yield, and milk composition.

Molecular Dereplication and In Vitro and In Silico Pharmacological Evaluation of Coriandrum sativum against Neuroblastoma Cells.

The aim of this study was to investigate the cytotoxic activity of the Coriandrum sativum (C. sativum) ethanolic extract (CSEE) in neuroblastoma cells, chemically characterize the compounds present in the CSEE, and predict the molecular interactions and properties of ADME. Thus, after obtaining the CSEE and performing its chemical characterization through dereplication methods using UPLC/DAD-ESI/HRMS/MS, PM6 methods and the SwissADME drug design platform were used in order to predict molecular interactions and ADME properties. The CSEE was tested for 24 h in neuroblastoma cells to the establishment of the IC50 dose. Then, the cell death was evaluated, using annexin-PI, as well as the activity of the effector caspase 3, and the protein and mRNA levels of Bax and Bcl-2 were analyzed by ELISA and RT-PCR, respectively. By UHPLC/DAD/HRMS-MS/MS analysis, the CSEE showed a high content of isocoumarins-dihydrocoriandrin, coriandrin, and coriandrones A and B, as well as nitrogenated compounds (adenine, adenosine, and tryptophan). Flavonoids (apigenin, hyperoside, and rutin), phospholipids (PAF C-16 and LysoPC (16:0)), and acylglicerol were also identified in lower amount as important compounds with antioxidant activity. The in silico approach results showed that the compounds 1 to 6, which are found mostly in the C. sativum extract, obey the "Five Rules" of Lipinski, suggesting a good pharmacokinetic activity of these compounds when administered orally. The IC50 dose of CSEE (20 µg/mL) inhibited cell proliferation and promoted cell death by the accumulation of cleaved caspase-3 and the externalization of phosphatidylserine. Furthermore, CSEE decreased Bcl-2 and increased Bax, both protein and mRNA levels, suggesting an apoptotic mechanism. CSEE presents cytotoxic effects, promoting cell death. In addition to the promising results predicted through the in silico approach for all compounds, the compound 6 showed the best results in relation to stability due to its GAP value.

Morbidity and mortality of rheumatic heart disease and acute rheumatic fever in the inpatient setting in Timor-Leste.

AIM: To describe the clinical features, treatment and outcomes of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) in children admitted to the national referral hospital in Dili, Timor-Leste. METHODS: This prospective study documented cases of ARF and RHD in children aged 14 years and under who were admitted between June 2017 and May 2019. ARF was diagnosed using an adapted version of the 2015 Jones criteria and presumed (rather than proven) exposure to group A Streptococcus. Clinical and echocardiographic findings, comorbidities and discharge outcomes are reported. RESULTS: A total of 63 patients were admitted with ARF or RHD; 54 were diagnosed with RHD for the first time. Median age was 11 years (range 3-14); 48% were female. Of those with echocardiograms, 56/58 had RHD, 55/56 (98%) had mitral regurgitation (37/55 (67%) severe), 11/56 (20%) had mitral stenosis and 43/56 (77%) had aortic regurgitation. Left ventricular dysfunction (55%), pulmonary hypertension (64%) and cardiac failure (78%) were common. Four (6%) patients died in hospital, and 30/59 (51%) of surviving patients were lost to follow up. CONCLUSIONS: Community echocardiography screening has reported a high prevalence of undetected mild to moderate cases of RHD in Timor-Leste, whereas this hospital study documents mostly severe disease among hospitalised patients with a high case fatality rate and loss to follow up. RHD is a significant health problem in Timor-Leste and improved recognition and diagnosis, as well as effective delivery of treatment and follow-up are imperative.

Gene expression and genetic control to cold tolerance during maize seed germination.

BACKGROUND: The study of cold tolerance in maize seeds and seedlings through physiological quality assessments, as well as the genetic control associated with this trait, allows an early characterization of genotypes. Here we studied the genetic control for cold tolerance during the germination process in maize seeds and genes influenced by this stress. RESULTS: Six maize lines were used, three classified as tolerant and three as susceptible to low germination temperature. A field was developed to produce the hybrid seeds, in a partial diallel scheme including the reciprocal crosses. For the expression analysis, seeds from two contrasting lines were used, as well as their hybrid combination and their reciprocal crosses, on dried and moistened seeds at 10 °C for 4 and 7 days. It was evaluated the catalase (CAT) and esterase (EST) enzymes, heat-resistant proteins and the genes Putative stearoyl-ACP desaturase (SAD), Ascorbate Peroxidase (APX), Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) and Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase (ZmMPK5). The estimated values ​​for heterosis, general and specific combining abilities and reciprocal maternal and non-maternal effects were carried out and it showed that there is heterosis for germination at low temperatures, also the non-additive genes were more important and there was a reciprocal effect. CONCLUSIONS: There is a greater expression of the CAT and EST enzymes in moistened seeds at seven days and there is less expression of heat-resistant proteins and the SAD gene at seven days of moistening. Also, there are variations in the expression of the APX, SOD and ZmMPK5 genes in dried and moistened seeds, as well as among the genotypes studied.

In silico and in vitro degradation studies of isolated phloroglucinols eugenial C and eugenial D from Eugenia umbelliflora fruits.

INTRODUCTION: Eugenia umbelliflora fruits are an important source of phloroglucinols, as eugenial C and eugenial D, related to antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus. However, for the establishment of new antimicrobial substances, it is essential to know their stability profile, in view of driving the administration route and the release system development. METHODOLOGY: The in silico approaches, based on the Fukui indices and bond dissociation analysis, were performed. Eugenial C and eugenial D, isolated from the green fruits of E. umbelliflora, with purity > 90%, were submitted to stress degradation including: acid (0.5 mM hydrochloric acid) and alkaline (0.5 mM sodium hydroxide) hydrolysis, and oxidation (0.25% hydrogen peroxide), in different periods, monitoring by high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detector (HPLC-UV). Eugenial C was also submitted to UV-visible radiation (2,400 lux/h) and dry/humid heating (40°C, 75% relative humidity). RESULTS: In silico studies indicated that both molecules have regions of high susceptibility to nucleophilic and electrophilic attack as well as sites likely to suffer auto-oxidation. Under in vitro tests, both phloroglucinols proved to be very unstable under hydrolysis (eugenial C and D were degraded 23.8% and 89.0% in acid and 78.4% and 97.8% in alkaline conditions, respectively) and oxidation (eugenial C and D degraded 31.9% and 28.6%, respectively), both during 5 min. Eugenial C degraded 12.6% and 63.8% under dry and humid heat, respectively, without photosensitivity. CONCLUSION: The in vitro stress tests monitored by HPLC-UV were in agreement with in silico degradation prediction. Phloroglucinols could be unstable if administered by oral route and also under environmental conditions demanding a protective release system.

Mandibular propulsion appliance for adults with Class II malocclusion: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The effects of mandibular propulsion appliances in adults have some controversial results. While some authors claim that its use in non-growing patients could produce some dentoskeletal effects, other studies indicate that Class II correction occurs only through significant dental effects. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects in non-growing Class II patients with mandibular retrusion, promoted by the treatment with mandibular propulsion appliances and determine if they produce mandibular changes. METHODS: The research was carried out in nine electronic databases and additional manual searches up to July 2019. Selection criteria were no restriction was placed on date and publication language. Randomized or non-randomized clinical trials with/without control were included. They must evaluated non-growing patients with Class II malocclusion, treated with mandibular propulsion appliances; outcomes were assessed before and after treatment. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Data were extracted by two independent examiners in duplicate. The ROBINS-I tool was used to assess the methodological quality of the included studies. RESULTS: Of the 2824 articles identified, 11 non-randomized clinical articles were selected for qualitative analysis and 8 for quantitative analysis. SNB (0.87°, CI 95% 0.08, 1.66), ANB (-0.82°, CI 95% -1.24 to 0.40) and Pg/OLp [2.3 to 1.2 mm (P < 0.001)] presented smallest but significant mandibular changes with some differences regarding the used appliance. The Herbst appliance showed the largest mandibular changes followed by the SUS appliance when evaluated through Ar-Pg. SNA showed non-significant changes. Overbite (-2.85. CI 95% -3.06, -2.64), Overjet (-5.00.CI 95% -5.45, -4.55) showed significant changes in all devices. Class II correction occurs through a significant labial movement of the mandibular incisors, some lingual inclination of the maxillary incisors and minor skeletal changes. CONCLUSIONS: All mandibular propulsion appliances examined, showed efficiency in normalizing the Class II malocclusion in adult patients; however, changes were acquired mainly through dentoalveolar changes. Some minor mandibular forward changes was noted, mainly in patients treated with the Herbst appliance. Randomized clinical trials are needed to improve scientific evidence. REGISTRATION: PROSPERO (code CRD42017067384).

Elevated serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines potentially correlate with depression and anxiety in colorectal cancer patients in different stages of the antitumor therapy.

Depression and anxiety, the most important psychological disorders in cancer patients, have now been considered as psychoneuroimmunological disorders, in which peripheral immune activation, through the release of proinflammatory cytokines, is implicated in the variety of behavioral, neuroendocrine and neurochemical alterations associated with these disorders. Along with the tumor itself, cancer treatment can also contribute to exacerbate the production of proinflammatory cytokines. This study aimed to investigate whether proinflammatory cytokine levels are related to depression and anxiety in CRC patients in different stages of the antitumor therapy We evaluated 60 patients in three stages of antitumor therapy (Pre-chemotherapy, Under-chemotherapy and Post-chemotherapy, n=20 in each group) and 20 healthy volunteers by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Serum levels of cytokines were measured by CBA. Depression and/or anxiety were found at clinically relevant levels in CRC patients during all antitumor therapy. Patients in pre-chemotherapy group exhibited the highest concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the lowest levels of IL-10. In latter stages of treatment, cytokines reached levels similar to the control group. Correlation analysis between HADS score and cytokine serum levels revealed positive associations of anxiety and/or depression with IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α, and a negative correlation with IL-10, suggesting that cytokines are involved in the pathophysiology of these psychological disorders in CRC patients. A better understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in these psychological disorders will allow the design of new therapeutic strategies to assist in alleviating such symptoms in cancer patients.

Social representations of health care by homeless people. / Representações sociais do cuidado em saúde de pessoas em situação de rua.

Objective Identify and analyze the structure and content of the social representations of homeless people in relation to health care. Method Qualitative study, based on the structural approach of the Theory of Social Representations, conducted with homeless people, linked to two institutional shelters. To produce the data, the free-association test was used. The resulting data was processed by two software and analyzed according to the theory above. Results Seventy-two people participated in the study. The set of evocations from the four-quadrant chart refers to individual, social and cultural actions. The terms 'doctor', 'taking care of yourself' and 'eating' composed the central core of the representation, indicating image-related and functional dimensions of the object investigated. The word cloud confirmed the centrality of the terms. Conclusion The investigated group represents health care as a dynamic action, linked to the person and context, and is anchored in elements of the hygienist conception.

Genetic education, knowledge and experiences between nurses and physicians in primary care in Brazil: A cross-sectional study.

Recent advances in genomics and related technologies have the potential to improve health care throughout the world. In this cross-sectional study, we examine genetics education, knowledge, and genetics-related experiences among the nurses and physicians who provide primary care in a Brazilian city. Fifty-four healthcare professionals from family health units participated in the study (response rate: 90%). Data were collected using a structured 36-item questionnaire divided into five axes: sociodemographic data and academic background; genetics education; genetics knowledge; genetics-related experiences in family practice; and knowledge regarding the National Policy for Comprehensive Care in Clinical Genetics in the Unified Health System. Although most participants (85.2%) acknowledged receiving some genetic content during their undergraduate education, the majority (77.8%) advised that they did not feel prepared to deliver genomics-based health care in primary care. The results suggest that nurses and physicians often lack the knowledge to provide genomics-based health care in primary care. Therefore, continuing education in genetics/genomics should be provided to primary healthcare professionals in order to enhance family practice and compliance with national policies.

Effect of a Single Application of TiF4 Varnish versus Daily Use of a Low-Concentrated TiF4/NaF Solution on Tooth Erosion Prevention in vitro.

This study investigated the isolated and combined effect of a single application of TiF4 or NaF varnish versus daily use of a solution containing a low concentration of TiF4/NaF against tooth erosion in vitro. A total of 90 bovine enamel and 108 root dentin samples were treated as follows: control (no treatment), solution containing TiF4/NaF (500 ppm F-, pH 4.4), NaF varnish (24,500 ppm F-, pH 5.0), TiF4 varnish (24,500 ppm F-, pH 1.0), TiF4 varnish + solution, and NaF varnish + solution. The erosive challenges were performed 4 × 90s/day (0.1% citric acid, pH 2.5) and, between them, the samples were immersed in artificial saliva. The tooth loss was measured using contact profilometry (after 7 days for dentin and after 7, 10, and 14 days for enamel). All treatments were effective in reducing tooth loss, except NaF varnish for enamel on day 7 (p < 0.0001). TiF4/NaF solution and TiF4 varnish did not differ with respect to enamel loss for 10 days; thereafter, TiF4 varnish lost its protective effect compared to TiF4/NaF solution. The combination of vehicles was more effective in reducing enamel loss than both varnishes on their own but not compared to the solution. For dentin, TiF4 varnish was more effective than NaF varnish, while TiF4/NaF solution and NaF varnish were similar. The combination of vehicles improved the protective effect only when compared to NaF varnish on its own (p < 0.0001). Both types of TiF4 applications, isolated or combined, were effective against tooth erosion, but some differences in their performance were seen between enamel and dentin.

Self-reported cancer family history is a useful tool for identification of individuals at risk of hereditary cancer predisposition syndrome at primary care centers in middle-income settings: a longitudinal study.

Analysis of cancer family history (CFH) offers a low-cost genetic tool to identify familial cancer predisposition. In middle-income settings, the scarcity of individual records and database-linked records hinders the assessment of self-reported CFH consistency as an indicator of familial cancer predisposition. We used self-reported CFH to identify those families at risk for hereditary cancer syndromes in community-based primary care centers of a low-income Brazilian area. We also evaluated the consistency of the information collected by reassessing CFH five years later. We interviewed 390 families and constructed their pedigrees for genetic cancer risk assessment. We found 125 families affected by cancer, 35.2% with moderate to high risk of familial susceptibility to cancer, a number that represents a relatively high prevalence of potential hereditary cancer syndromes in the overall study sample. Upon reassessment of CFH in 14/20 families that were previously identified as having at least one first-degree and one second-degree relative affected by cancer, and presented moderate to high risk for developing cancer, 90% of initial pedigrees were confirmed. These results demonstrate the reliability of self-reports as a means of early identification of healthy individuals at risk, encouraging the wider use of this method in low- and middle-income primary care settings.

Temporal trends and clonal diversity of penicillin non-susceptible pneumococci from meningitis cases from 1996 to 2012, in Salvador, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Hospital-based surveillance for pneumococcal meningitis has been conducted since January 1996 in the city of Salvador, Brazil. The purpose of this study was to describe the temporal evolution of Penicillin Non-Susceptible Streptococcus pneumoniae (PNSSP) in regards to serotype distributions and clonal diversity recovered from meningitis cases over 17 years. METHODS: Broth microdilution was used to identify pneumococcal isolates that were PNSSP (Minimum Inhibitory Concentration > 0.12 µg/ml). The annual incidence rate of meningitis cases was calculated. Serotyping was defined using multiplex polymerase chain reaction assays and quellung reaction. Genetic diversity of PNSSP isolates was assessed using both pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and Multilocus Sequence Typing (MLST) analyses. RESULTS: A total of 854 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture pneumococcal isolates were tested by broth microdilution method and serotyped. A total of 173 (20.3%) were penicillin non-susceptible (PNSSP) (Minimum Inhibitory concentration ≥ 0.12 µg/ml). The annual incidence of meningitis cases declined from 1.65/100,000 population (1996) to 0.2/100,000 population in 2012 and the rate due to PNSSP declined 82% over the 17-years of surveillance. PNSSP isolates were restricted to 13 serotypes, being the most common ones serotypes 14 (45.1%; 78/173), 23 F (19.1%; 33/173), 6B (14.4%; 25/173), 19 F (9.2%; 16/173) and 19A (5.2%; 9/173). Among the PNSSP isolates, 94% had serotypes represented in the 10-valent conjugate vaccine (PCV10). The predominant serotype 14 clonal groups were identified as PFGE group A/multilocus sequence type 66 (ST66) [35.3% (61/173)] and PFGE group GK/ST156 [4.6% (8/173)], the latter one associated with high level resistance to penicillin and ceftriaxone. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show sustained reductions in pneumococcal meningitis cases in the Metropolitan region of Salvador from 1996 to 2012. This might reflect a beneficial impact of conjugate vaccines. Continued surveillance and further studies need to be conducted to better understanding on PCV10 vaccine impact.

Human papillomavirus: prevalence and factors associated in women prisoners population from the Eastern Brazilian Amazon.

This study aimed to examine the prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) and the associated factors among female prisoners in Ananindeua City, State of Pará, Brazil. In 2010, 190 cervical samples were obtained, and Pap smear and polymerase chain reaction (GE Health Care™, Uppsala, Sweden) were performed. Additionally, a questionnaire was used. The prevalence of HPV was 10.5%, and the presence of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade I (n = 33, 17.5%; P < 0.1) was associated with HPV infection. The presence of low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions was greater in women with HPV than in those without HPV infection, indicating that HPV infection is a risk factor for such injuries and that viral screening and prevention are extremely important in public health among female prisoners in Amazon.

Effects of triceps surae exercise-induced delayed onset muscle soreness on control of body stability in different postures.

This research aimed to determine whether triceps surae delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) affects stability while performing different postural control tasks requiring upright and landing stabilization. Twenty-four participants who self-reported as healthy were recruited. Pre and 48 h after a protocol to induce DOMS in the triceps surae, participants were evaluated for DOMS perception, pressure pain threshold, and postural control (assessed by the center of pressure, CoP) during different standing and landing stabilization tasks. We found higher DOMS perception and lower pressure pain threshold 48 h after the exercise. Mediolateral CoP displacement was more sensitive to DOMS across different postural tasks, but no effects were found for bilateral standing. The landing time to stabilization elicited high individual variability in the presence of DOMS. Effects of DOMS in the performance of less challenging tasks, such as bipedal standing, were not found. We conclude that DOMS in the triceps surae impairs mediolateral postural control during challenging tasks such as unilateral standing and body forward lean. It highlights the need for caution and individualized approaches when incorporating movements requiring frontal plane control in training and rehabilitation sessions under the presence of DOMS.

Hidden ecotoxicological dangers: Investigating pathogen circulation and non-toxic risks hazards in a crucial brazilian watershed.

Numerous studies evaluate chemical contaminants released by human activities and their effects on biota and aquatic ecosystems. However, few of these studies address non-toxic agents and their potentially harmful effects, which, in a concealed manner, culminate in an increased ecotoxicological risk for aquatic life and public health. This study investigated the presence of toxic and non-toxic pollutants in one of the main watersheds in Northeast Brazil (Rio São Francisco) and proposed a model of dispersion and transfer of resistance among the analyzed bacteria, also assessing the health risks of individuals and aquatic organisms present there. The results are worrying because although most toxic parameters, including physical-chemical and chromatographic aspects, comply with Brazilian environmental standards, non-toxic (microbiological) parameters do not. This research reveals the circulation of pathogens in several points of this hydrographic basin, highlighting the hidden ecotoxicological potential of an aquatic environment considered unaffected by the usual patterns of toxic parameters.

Long-term surveillance of invasive pneumococcal disease: The impact of 10-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in the metropolitan region of Salvador, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: In 2010, Brazil introduced the ten-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV10) in the national infant immunization program. Limited data on the long-term impact of PCV10 are available from lower-middle-income settings. We examined invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) in Salvador, Bahia, over 11 years. METHODS: Prospective laboratory-based surveillance for IPD was carried out in 9 hospitals in the metropolitan region of Salvador from 2008 to 2018. IPD was defined as Streptococcus pneumoniae cultured from a normally sterile site. Serotype was determined by multiplex polymerase chain reaction and/or Quellung reaction. Incidence rates per 100,000 inhabitants were calculated for overall, vaccine-type, and non-vaccine-type IPD using census data as the denominator. Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) were calculated to compare rates during the early (2010-2012), intermediate (2013-2015), and late (2016-2018) post-PCV10 periods in comparison to the pre-PCV10 period (2008-2009). RESULTS: Pre-PCV10, overall IPD incidence among all ages was 2.48/100,000. After PCV10 introduction, incidence initially increased (early post-PCV10 IRR 3.80, 95% CI 1.18-1.99) and then declined to 0.38/100,000 late post-PCV10 (IRR 0.15; 95% CI 0.09-0.26). The greatest reductions in the late post-PCV10 period were observed in children aged ≤2 years, with no cases (IRR not calculated) and those ≥60 years (IRR 0.11, 95% CI 0.03-0.48). Late post-PCV10, significant reductions were observed for both PCV10 serotypes (IRR 0.02; 95% CI 0.0-0.15) and non-PCV10 serotypes (IRR 0.27; 95%CI 0.14-0.53). Non-PCV10 serotypes 15B, 12F, 3, 17F, and 19A became predominant late post-PCV10 without a significant increase in serotype-specific IPD incidence compared to pre-PCV10. CONCLUSION: Significant declines in IPD, including among adults not eligible for vaccination, suggest direct and indirect protection up to nine years after PCV10 introduction, without evidence of significant replacement disease. Continued surveillance is needed to monitor changes in non-vaccine serotypes and inform decisions about introducing higher valent PCVs.