Liver and Inflammatory Biomarkers Are Related to High Mortality in Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19 in Brazilian Amazon Region.

COVID-19 is a multisystem disease with many clinical manifestations, including liver damage and inflammation. The objective of this study is to analyze inflammation biomarkers in relation to the clinical outcome and respiratory symptoms of COVID-19. This is a retrospective cohort of patients with COVID-19 admitted to the Hospital Regional do Baixo Amazonas from 2020 to 2022. Data were collected from electronic medical records from admission to the 30th day of hospitalization and soon after hospital discharge. A total of 397 patients were included in the study. In the longitudinal follow-up of liver markers, a significant difference was found for AST on day 14, with a higher median in the death group. Among the hematological markers, lymphopenia was observed throughout the follow-up, with the death group having the most altered values. When comparing the evolution of biomarkers in the Non-Invasive Ventilation (NIV) and Invasive Mechanical Ventilation (IMV) groups, AST showed a significant difference only on day 14 and GGT on day 1, being greater in the IMV group, and indirect bilirubin on day 7 being more altered in the NIV group. In conclusion, death during hospitalization or a more severe form of COVID-19 was related to significant changes in liver and inflammatory biomarkers.

SARS-CoV-2 and dialysis: humoral response, clinical and laboratory impacts before vaccination.

BACKGROUND: Patients with kidney disease on Hemodialysis (HD) are susceptible to Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) due to multiple risk factors. AIM: This study aims to report the prevalence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 among patients on hemodialysis before vaccination in Brazil and to compare with clinical, demographic, and laboratory data. METHODS: Blood samples from 398 Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) patients treated in three different private institutions in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil were submitted to the total anti-SARS-CoV-2 testing. Kidney, liver, and hematological markers were also determined. Respiratory samples were tested by real-time PCR for SARS-CoV-2 RNA and positive samples were subjected to high-throughput sequencing on the MinION device. RESULTS: Overall, anti-SARS-CoV-2 prevalence was 54.5 % (217/398) and two individuals had SARS-CoV-2 RNA with variant B.1.1. High anti-SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence was found in male gender and those with hospital admission in the last 3-months before the inclusion in the study. Lower red blood cell count was observed in the anti-SARS-CoV-2 seropositive group. High levels of anti-SARS-CoV-2 were found in those who reported symptoms, had low levels of eosinophils and low hematocrit, and who practiced physical activity. CONCLUSION: High prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 was found in CKD patients before the universal immunization in Brazil suggesting that dialysis patients were highly exposed to SARS-CoV-2.

Assessing Endoscopic Suture Performance of Gynecology and Obstetrics Residents Following Methodic Training.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the performance of residents in gynecology and obstetrics before and after practicing laparoscopic sutures, to establish when the training shows the best results, in addition to comparing whether being in different years of residency influences this progression. METHODS: A prospective cohort study involving 32 medical residents evaluated with a pretest to establish their previous knowledge in laparoscopic suture. This test consisted of knotting two wires, one made of polypropylene and the other of polyglactin, with a blocking sequence of five semi-knots. We set a 30-minute limit to complete the task. Then, the residents held four training meetings, focusing on suture, Gladiator rule, knot, and symmetries, in addition to executing blocking sequences. A second test to establish progress was performed. RESULTS: Regarding the time spent to make the stiches using polyglactin wire, a statistically significant time improvement (p < 0.01) was observed, with a 10.67-minute pretraining median (mean 12.24 minutes) and a 2.53-minute posttraining median (mean 3.25 minutes). Regarding the stitches with polypropylene wire, a statistically significant time improvement (p < 0.05) was also observed, with a 9.38-minute pretraining median (mean 15.43 minutes) and a 3.65-minute posttraining median (mean 4.54 minutes). A total of 64.2% of the residents had been able to make the knot with polypropylene previously. One hundred percent were able to complete the task in the posttest. CONCLUSION: Model training using the Gladiator rule for laparoscopic suture improves the knotting time with statistically similar performance, regardless of the year of residency, after systematic training.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a performance de residentes em ginecologia e obstetrícia antes e depois de praticarem suturas laparoscópicas, com o intuito de estabelecer quando o treinamento mostra os melhores resultados, comparando se estar em diferentes da residência influencia essa progressão. MéTODOS: Um estudo coorte prospectivo envolvendo 32 médicos residentes avaliados com um teste pré-treinamento para avaliar seus conhecimentos prévios em sutura laparoscópica. Esse teste consistia em atar nós em dois fios, um de polipropileno e o outro de poliglactina, com uma sequencia de bloqueio de cinco seminós. Definiu-se um limite de 30 minutos para se completar a tarefa. Depois, os residentes tiveram quatro reuniões de treinamento, focadas em sutura, técnica da Regra do Gladiador, nós e simetria, executando, ainda, uma sequência de pontos. Um segundo teste foi feito para avaliar o progresso. RESULTADOS: Com relação ao tempo para realizarem os pontos com fio de poliglactina, uma melhora de tempo estatisticamente significativa (p < 0.01) foi observada, com uma mediana de 10.67 minutos no pré-treinamento (média de 12.24 minutos) e uma mediana de 2.53 minutos no pós-treinamento (média de 3.25 minutos). Com relação ao fio de polipropileno, uma melhora de tempo estatisticamente significativa (p < 0.05) também foi observada, com uma mediana de pré-treinamento de 9.38 minutos (média de 15.43 minutos) e uma mediana de pós-treinamento de 3.65 minutos (média de 4.54 minutos). Um total de 64.2% dos residentes foram capazes de realizar os nós com polipropileno inicialmente. Cem por cento do residentes foram capazes de completar a tarefa no pós-teste. CONCLUSãO: O modelo de treino usando a técnica da Regra do Gladiador para sutura laparoscópica melhora o tempo de atar nós com uma performance estatisticamente similar, não havendo diferenças quanto ao ano da residência, após treinamento sistematizado.

Leptospira spp. in Naturally Infected Dairy Cow from a Brazilian Border Region.

Leptospirosis is an important infectious disease, which can generate large economic losses, especially in the dairy herd. The pathogen that causes this disease may have its entry in Brazilian herds facilitated by the existence of a large extension of land borders. Therefore, the objective of this work was to investigate the presence of DNA and antibodies against Leptospira spp. in samples of vaginal mucus and serum from naturally infected bovine females from small rural dairy farms in a border region. Blood and vaginal mucus samples were collected from 70 Holstein cows, from small rural dairy farms between October 2017 and June 2018. The inclusion criteria for dairy cattle of any breed were aged over 2 years, not vaccinated against leptospirosis, and presenting a history of any reproductive problem such as abortion, stillbirth, repetition of heat, absence of heat, and lack of conception. Blood was collected by puncturing the coccygeal vein; for the collection of vaginal mucus, it was necessary to use a tampon with an applicator. For the detection of anti-Leptospira spp. antibodies, the sera were submitted to microscopic agglutination test (MAT) and, for DNA detection, the vaginal mucus was submitted to the PCR technique. Among the 70 cows, 42.86% had reagents in MAT and the most likely serovar was Wolffi (43.47%). In 74.28% of the vaginal mucus samples, it was possible to amplify the Leptospira spp. DNA. The results of this work show the presence of Leptospira spp. antibodies and DNA in samples of serum and vaginal mucus from naturally infected bovine females from small rural dairy farms in a border region (Brazil × Paraguay). These results demonstrate the importance of considering bovine females as potential vaginal carriers of Leptospira spp. Thus, it highlights the importance of further studies to better understanding of this issue, in addition to carrying out molecular and serological tests, to monitor the infection and further characterize epidemiological studies of leptospirosis in herds from regions that face this international frontier challenge.

Seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 in patients with hepatitis B and C: a pre-vaccination study

Abstract The serological markers for the diagnosis of COVID-19 plays an important role in the epidemiological investigation of the pandemic. This study aims to assess the prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 in hepatitis B and C patients in a pre-vaccination of COVID-19 period. Between March 2020 and January 2021, 199 serum samples from individuals with HBsAg/HBV DNA or anti-HCV/HCV RNA positivity were tested for antibodies (IgM and IgG) against SARS-CoV-2 using Electrochemiluminescent Immunoassay (ECLIA). Among these, 50.3 % (100/199) tested positive for hepatitis C virus infection and 49.7 % (99/199) for hepatitis B virus, confirmed through molecular and serological diagnosis. The anti-SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence was 24.1 % (48/199) in this population, with 23.23 % (23/99) hepatitis B and 25 % (25/100) hepatitis C patients tested positive for anti-SARS-CoV-2. The higher seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 (16.58 %, 33/199) was detected among those over-40 years of age and the month of November 2020 had the highest number of detections 9 % (18/199) with the majority living in impoverished and neglected neighborhoods in the city of Rio de Janeiro. We found a high prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 in patients with viral hepatitis before COVID-19 vaccination. This demonstrates the high exposure of this population during the period of social isolation.

SARS-CoV-2 and dialysis: humoral response, clinical and laboratory impacts before vaccination

Abstract Background Patients with kidney disease on Hemodialysis (HD) are susceptible to Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) due to multiple risk factors. Aim This study aims to report the prevalence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 among patients on hemodialysis before vaccination in Brazil and to compare with clinical, demographic, and laboratory data. Methods Blood samples from 398 Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) patients treated in three different private institutions in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil were submitted to the total anti-SARS-CoV-2 testing. Kidney, liver, and hematological markers were also determined. Respiratory samples were tested by real-time PCR for SARS-CoV-2 RNA and positive samples were subjected to high-throughput sequencing on the MinION device. Results Overall, anti-SARS-CoV-2 prevalence was 54.5 % (217/398) and two individuals had SARS-CoV-2 RNA with variant B.1.1. High anti-SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence was found in male gender and those with hospital admission in the last 3-months before the inclusion in the study. Lower red blood cell count was observed in the anti-SARS-CoV-2 seropositive group. High levels of anti-SARS-CoV-2 were found in those who reported symptoms, had low levels of eosinophils and low hematocrit, and who practiced physical activity. Conclusion High prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 was found in CKD patients before the universal immunization in Brazil suggesting that dialysis patients were highly exposed to SARS-CoV-2.

Assessing Endoscopic Suture Performance of Gynecology and Obstetrics Residents Following Methodic Training / Avaliando a performance em sutura endoscópica de residentes de ginecologia e obstetrícia após treinamento metódico

Abstract Objective To evaluate the performance of residents in gynecology and obstetrics before and after practicing laparoscopic sutures, to establish when the training shows the best results, in addition to comparing whether being in different years of residency influences this progression. Methods A prospective cohort study involving 32 medical residents evaluated with a pretest to establish their previous knowledge in laparoscopic suture. This test consisted of knotting two wires, one made of polypropylene and the other of polyglactin, with a blocking sequence of five semi-knots. We set a 30-minute limit to complete the task. Then, the residents held four training meetings, focusing on suture, Gladiator rule, knot, and symmetries, in addition to executing blocking sequences. A second test to establish progress was performed. Results Regarding the time spent to make the stiches using polyglactin wire, a statistically significant time improvement (p< 0.01) was observed, with a 10.67-minute pretraining median (mean 12.24 minutes) and a 2.53-minute posttraining median (mean 3.25 minutes). Regarding the stitches with polypropylene wire, a statistically significant time improvement (p< 0.05) was also observed, with a 9.38-minute pretraining median (mean 15.43 minutes) and a 3.65-minute posttraining median (mean 4.54 minutes). A total of 64.2% of the residents had been able to make the knot with polypropylene previously. One hundred percent were able to complete the task in the posttest. Conclusion Model training using the Gladiator rule for laparoscopic suture improves the knotting time with statistically similar performance, regardless of the year of residency, after systematic training.

Resumo Objetivo Avaliar a performance de residentes em ginecologia e obstetrícia antes e depois de praticarem suturas laparoscópicas, com o intuito de estabelecer quando o treinamento mostra os melhores resultados, comparando se estar em diferentes da residência influencia essa progressão. Métodos Um estudo coorte prospectivo envolvendo 32 médicos residentes avaliados com um teste pré-treinamento para avaliar seus conhecimentos prévios em sutura laparoscópica. Esse teste consistia em atar nós em dois fios, um de polipropileno e o outro de poliglactina, com uma sequencia de bloqueio de cinco seminós. Definiu-se um limite de 30 minutos para se completar a tarefa. Depois, os residentes tiveram quatro reuniões de treinamento, focadas em sutura, técnica da Regra do Gladiador, nós e simetria, executando, ainda, uma sequência de pontos. Um segundo teste foi feito para avaliar o progresso. Resultados Com relação ao tempo para realizarem os pontos com fio de poliglactina, uma melhora de tempo estatisticamente significativa (p< 0.01) foi observada, com uma mediana de 10.67 minutos no pré-treinamento (média de 12.24 minutos) e uma mediana de 2.53 minutos no pós-treinamento (média de 3.25 minutos). Com relação ao fio de polipropileno, uma melhora de tempo estatisticamente significativa (p< 0.05) também foi observada, com uma mediana de pré-treinamento de 9.38 minutos (média de 15.43 minutos) e uma mediana de pós-treinamento de 3.65 minutos (média de 4.54 minutos). Um total de 64.2% dos residentes foram capazes de realizar os nós com polipropileno inicialmente. Cem por cento do residentes foram capazes de completar a tarefa no pós-teste. Conclusão O modelo de treino usando a técnica da Regra do Gladiador para sutura laparoscópica melhora o tempo de atar nós com uma performance estatisticamente similar, não havendo diferenças quanto ao ano da residência, após treinamento sistematizado.