TGF-ß controls alveolar type 1 epithelial cell plasticity and alveolar matrisome gene transcription in mice.

Premature birth disrupts normal lung development and places infants at risk for bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), a disease disrupting lung health throughout the life of an individual and that is increasing in incidence. The TGF-ß superfamily has been implicated in BPD pathogenesis, however, what cell lineage it impacts remains unclear. We show that TGFbr2 is critical for alveolar epithelial (AT1) cell fate maintenance and function. Loss of TGFbr2 in AT1 cells during late lung development leads to AT1-AT2 cell reprogramming and altered pulmonary architecture, which persists into adulthood. Restriction of fetal lung stretch and associated AT1 cell spreading through a model of oligohydramnios enhances AT1-AT2 reprogramming. Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses reveal the necessity of TGFbr2 expression in AT1 cells for extracellular matrix production. Moreover, TGF-ß signaling regulates integrin transcription to alter AT1 cell morphology, which further impacts ECM expression through changes in mechanotransduction. These data reveal the cell intrinsic necessity of TGF-ß signaling in maintaining AT1 cell fate and reveal this cell lineage as a major orchestrator of the alveolar matrisome.

The antiproliferative effect of FGF2 in K-Ras-driven tumor cells involves modulation of rRNA and the nucleolus.

The nucleolus is sensitive to stress and can orchestrate a chain of cellular events in response to stress signals. Despite being a growth factor, FGF2 has antiproliferative and tumor-suppressive functions in some cellular contexts. In this work, we investigated how the antiproliferative effect of FGF2 modulates chromatin-, nucleolus- and rDNA-associated proteins. The chromatin and nucleolar proteome indicated that FGF2 stimulation modulates proteins related to transcription, rRNA expression and chromatin-remodeling proteins. The global transcriptional rate and nucleolus area increased along with nucleolar disorganization upon 24 h of FGF2 stimulation. FGF2 stimulation induced immature rRNA accumulation by increasing rRNA transcription. The rDNA-associated protein analysis reinforced that FGF2 stimulus interferes with transcription and rRNA processing. RNA Pol I inhibition partially reversed the growth arrest induced by FGF2, indicating that changes in rRNA expression might be crucial for triggering the antiproliferative effect. Taken together, we demonstrate that the antiproliferative FGF2 stimulus triggers significant transcriptional changes and modulates the main cell transcription site, the nucleolus.

The Brazilian National Oral Health Policy and oral cancer mortality trends: An autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model.

OBJECTIVE: This study analyzes the effect of the Brazilian National Oral Health Policy (NOHP) on oral cancer mortality rates (OCMR). METHOD: This is an ecological study with secondary oral cancer death data, using interrupted time series analysis (ARIMA, Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average). Annual death data were collected from the Mortality Information System (1996-2019). The outcome was the OCMR, standardized by gender and age We considered the NOHP, categorized as "0" (before its implementation), from 1996 to 2004, and "1 to 15", from 2005 to 2019. ARIMA modeling was carried out for temporal analysis, and regression coefficient estimation (RC). RESULTS: The Brazilian NOHP implementation was associated with an increase in OCMR in the North region (CR = 0.16; p = 0.022) and with a decrease in the Southeast region (CR = -0.04; p<0.001), but did not affect the other macro-regions nor Brazil. The forecast models estimated an increase in OCMR for the North, and Northeast, a decrease for the Southeast, and stability for the South and Brazil. CONCLUSION: The Brazilian NOHP is not being effective in reducing the OCMR. The trends behaved differently in the Brazilian territory, highlighting health inequities. We recommend that the NOHP strengthen the oral health care network, incorporating oral cancer as a notifiable disease, adopting strategies for prevention, screening, and providing opportunities for early treatment of the disease.

In Planta Study Localizes an Effector Candidate from Austropuccinia psidii Strain MF-1 to the Nucleus and Demonstrates In Vitro Cuticular Wax-Dependent Differential Expression.

Austropuccinia psidii is a biotrophic fungus that causes myrtle rust. First described in Brazil, it has since spread to become a globally important pathogen that infects more than 480 myrtaceous species. One of the most important commercial crops affected by A. psidii is eucalypt, a widely grown forestry tree. The A. psidii-Eucalyptus spp. interaction is poorly understood, but pathogenesis is likely driven by pathogen-secreted effector molecules. Here, we identified and characterized a total of 255 virulence effector candidates using a genome assembly of A. psidii strain MF-1, which was recovered from Eucalyptus grandis in Brazil. We show that the expression of seven effector candidate genes is modulated by cell wax from leaves sourced from resistant and susceptible hosts. Two effector candidates with different subcellular localization predictions, and with specific gene expression profiles, were transiently expressed with GFP-fusions in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. Interestingly, we observed the accumulation of an effector candidate, Ap28303, which was upregulated under cell wax from rust susceptible E. grandis and described as a peptidase inhibitor I9 domain-containing protein in the nucleus. This was in accordance with in silico analyses. Few studies have characterized nuclear effectors. Our findings open new perspectives on the study of A. psidii-Eucalyptus interactions by providing a potential entry point to understand how the pathogen manipulates its hosts in modulating physiology, structure, or function with effector proteins.

Risk prediction in patients with classical low-flow, low-gradient aortic stenosis undergoing surgical intervention.

Introduction: Classical low-flow, low-gradient aortic stenosis (LFLG-AS) is an advanced stage of aortic stenosis, which has a poor prognosis with medical treatment and a high operative mortality after surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). There is currently a paucity of information regarding the current prognosis of classical LFLG-AS patients undergoing SAVR and the lack of a reliable risk assessment tool for this particular subset of AS patients. The present study aims to assess mortality predictors in a population of classical LFLG-AS patients undergoing SAVR. Methods: This is a prospective study including 41 consecutive classical LFLG-AS patients (aortic valve area ≤1.0 cm2, mean transaortic gradient <40 mmHg, left ventricular ejection fraction <50%). All patients underwent dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE), 3D echocardiography, and T1 mapping cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR). Patients with pseudo-severe aortic stenosis were excluded. Patients were divided into groups according to the median value of the mean transaortic gradient (≤25 and >25 mmHg). All-cause, intraprocedural, 30-day, and 1-year mortality rates were evaluated. Results: All of the patients had degenerative aortic stenosis, with a median age of 66 (60-73) years; most of the patients were men (83%). The median EuroSCORE II was 2.19% (1.5%-4.78%), and the median STS was 2.19% (1.6%-3.99%). On DSE, 73.2% had flow reserve (FR), i.e., an increase in stroke volume ≥20% during DSE, with no significant differences between groups. On CMR, late gadolinium enhancement mass was lower in the group with mean transaortic gradient >25 mmHg [2.0 (0.0-8.9) g vs. 8.5 (2.3-15.0) g; p = 0.034), and myocardium extracellular volume (ECV) and indexed ECV were similar between groups. The 30-day and 1-year mortality rates were 14.6% and 43.8%, respectively. The median follow-up was 4.1 (0.3-5.1) years. By multivariate analysis adjusted for FR, only the mean transaortic gradient was an independent predictor of mortality (hazard ratio: 0.923, 95% confidence interval: 0.864-0.986, p = 0.019). A mean transaortic gradient ≤25 mmHg was associated with higher all-cause mortality rates (log-rank p = 0.038), while there was no difference in mortality regarding FR status (log-rank p = 0.114). Conclusions: In patients with classical LFLG-AS undergoing SAVR, the mean transaortic gradient was the only independent mortality predictor in patients with LFLG-AS, especially if ≤25 mmHg. The absence of left ventricular FR had no prognostic impact on long-term outcomes.

TGFß controls alveolar type 1 epithelial cell plasticity and alveolar matrisome gene transcription.

Premature birth disrupts normal lung development and places infants at risk for bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), a disease increasing in incidence which disrupts lung health throughout the lifespan. The TGFß superfamily has been implicated in BPD pathogenesis, however, what cell lineage it impacts remains unclear. We show that Tgfbr2 is critical for AT1 cell fate maintenance and function. Loss of Tgfbr2 in AT1 cells during late lung development leads to AT1-AT2 cell reprogramming and altered pulmonary architecture, which persists into adulthood. Restriction of fetal lung stretch and associated AT1 cell spreading through a model of oligohydramnios enhances AT1-AT2 reprogramming. Transcriptomic and proteomic analysis reveal the necessity of Tgfbr2 expression in AT1 cells for extracellular matrix production. Moreover, TGFß signaling regulates integrin transcription to alter AT1 cell morphology, which further impacts ECM expression through changes in mechanotransduction. These data reveal the cell intrinsic necessity of TGFß signaling in maintaining AT1 cell fate and reveal this cell lineage as a major orchestrator of the alveolar matrisome.

Postoperative myocardial fibrosis assessment in aortic valvular heart diseases-a cardiovascular magnetic resonance study.

AIMS: Left ventricular remodelling occurs during the chronic course of aortic regurgitation (AR) and aortic stenosis (AS), leading to myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis. Several studies have shown that extracellular volume fraction (ECV) and indexed extracellular volume (iECV) are important surrogate markers of diffuse myocardial fibrosis (MF). Postoperative data on these cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) extracellular expansion parameters for either AS or AR are scarce. This study aimed to demonstrate the postoperative changes that occur in diffuse MF, and the influence of preoperative MF on the reversal of LV remodelling, in patients with AR or AS. METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients with severe AR or AS and indications for surgery were prospectively enrolled. Patients underwent pre- and postoperative CMR, and ECV and iECV were quantified. Data from 99 patients were analysed (32 with AR and 67 with AS). After surgery, the left ventricle mass index decreased in both groups (AR: 110 vs. 91 g/m2; AS: 86 vs. 68 g/m2, both P < 0.001). The late gadolinium enhancement fraction (AR: preoperative 1.9% vs. postoperative 1.7%, P = 0.575; AS: preoperative 2.4% vs. postoperative 2.4%, P = 0.615) and late gadolinium enhancement mass (AR: preoperative 3.8 g vs. postoperative 2.5 g, P = 0.635; AS: preoperative 3.4 g vs. postoperative 3.5 g, P = 0.575) remained stable in both groups. Preoperative iECV and ECV were greater in the AR group (iECV: 30 mL/m2 vs. 22 mL/m2, P = 0.001; ECV: 28.4% vs. 27.2%, P = 0.048). Indexed extracellular volume decreased after surgery in both groups (AR: 30-26.5 mL/m2, AS: 22-18.2 mL/m2, both P < 0.001); it was still greater in the AR group (AR: 26.5 mL/m2 vs. AS: 18.2 mL/m2, P < 0.001). Postoperative ECV remained stable in the AR group (preoperative 28.4% vs. postoperative 29.9%; P = 0.617) and increased in the AS group (preoperative 27.2% vs. postoperative 28.6%; P = 0.033). CONCLUSION: Patients with both AR or AS presented reduction in iECV after surgery, unfolding the reversible nature of diffuse MF. In contrast to patients with AS, those with AR developed postoperative iECV regression with stable ECV, suggesting a balanced reduction in both intracellular and extracellular myocardial components.

Human Satellite 1A analysis provides evidence of pericentromeric transcription.

BACKGROUND: Pericentromeric regions of human chromosomes are composed of tandem-repeated and highly organized sequences named satellite DNAs. Human classical satellite DNAs are classified into three families named HSat1, HSat2, and HSat3, which have historically posed a challenge for the assembly of the human reference genome where they are misrepresented due to their repetitive nature. Although being known for a long time as the most AT-rich fraction of the human genome, classical satellite HSat1A has been disregarded in genomic and transcriptional studies, falling behind other human satellites in terms of functional knowledge. Here, we aim to characterize and provide an understanding on the biological relevance of HSat1A. RESULTS: The path followed herein trails with HSat1A isolation and cloning, followed by in silico analysis. Monomer copy number and expression data was obtained in a wide variety of human cell lines, with greatly varying profiles in tumoral/non-tumoral samples. HSat1A was mapped in human chromosomes and applied in in situ transcriptional assays. Additionally, it was possible to observe the nuclear organization of HSat1A transcripts and further characterize them by 3' RACE-Seq. Size-varying polyadenylated HSat1A transcripts were detected, which possibly accounts for the intricate regulation of alternative polyadenylation. CONCLUSION: As far as we know, this work pioneers HSat1A transcription studies. With the emergence of new human genome assemblies, acrocentric pericentromeres are becoming relevant characters in disease and other biological contexts. HSat1A sequences and associated noncoding RNAs will most certainly prove significant in the future of HSat research.

Food Consumption and Health Outcomes in Women During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic has changed food consumption. Objective Evaluate the association between metabolic phenotypes, changes in food consumption during the pandemic, and health outcomes in obese women. Methods Cross-sectional observational study including 491 women without previous diagnosis of chronic diseases, evaluated according to metabolic phenotype. During the pandemic, a subsample was re-evaluated by online questionnaires via Google Forms. Analyzed anthropometric, biochemical, and dietary data as well as health outcomes (coronary artery disease, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia or death). Information on mortality was collected from the Internal Affairs Office of the State of Rio de Janeiro and the Health Department of the State of Rio de Janeiro. Statistical analysis was performed using the statistical program SPSS 21, with Mann-Whitney test, Pearson's chi-squared, Spearman correlation, and binary logistic regression, at a significance level of 5%. Results The anthropometric, glucose, and lipid profiles showed significant differences between the metabolically healthy and metabolically unhealthy groups (p = 0.00). Before the pandemic, women in the metabolically unhealthy group had higher dietary intakes of lipids (p = 0.01), saturated fat (p = 0.01) and sodium (p = 0.04), during the pandemic, they consumed more energy (p = 0.04), lipids (p = 0.02), saturated fat (p = 0.02), proteins (p = 0.03) and sodium from ultra-processed foods (p = 0.03). Consequently, health outcomes were more prevalent in the metabolically unhealthy group (p = 0.00). Conclusion Observed that metabolically healthy women had qualitatively better food intake and fewer health outcomes throughout the study.

Sofrimento e solidão: narrativas de profissionais do setor de oncologia / Sufrimiento y soledad: narrativas de profesionales del sector oncológico / Suffering and loneliness: narratives of professionals from oncology's sector

RESUMO. No setor de oncologia das instituições hospitalares, visando o cuidado humanizado, tem sido desejável a atuação de profissionais de diferentes áreas. Esse estudo teve o objetivo de investigar a experiência subjetiva dos diferentes profissionais que atuam nesse setor. A pesquisa contou com a participação de 23 profissionais da área de oncologia de um hospital público situado no interior do Rio Grande do Sul. Nesse estudo qualitativo, os participantes foram entrevistados individualmente, sendo tais entrevistas mediadas pela apresentação de uma narrativa interativa, a qual eles eram convidados a inventarem um desfecho e a associarem livremente. Foram identificadas, após consideração psicanalítica, duas categorias intituladas 'Aos outros eu devolvo a dor' e 'Dança da solidão'. A partir delas foi possível identificar, respectivamente, como os profissionais experienciam, em seu cotidiano de trabalho, suas relações com os pacientes e com os seus colegas de equipe. Observou-se que, para os participantes, o cotidiano de trabalho é atravessado por sofrimento por terem de lidar com o mal-estar de seus pacientes, bem como as perdas frequentes, sofrimento esse que fica acentuado por não terem condições de compartilhá-lo com os seus pares no trabalho. Conclui-se que se faz necessário o desenvolvimento de ações, em especial a constituição de um enquadre clínico em que os profissionais possam ter trocas afetivas entre si, o que poderia, num só tempo, tanto ajudá-los a lidar com o sofrimento despertado no setor de oncologia quanto ajudá-los a se sentirem pertencentes a essa equipe composta por diferentes áreas de especialidade.

RESUMEN. En el sector de Oncología de las instituciones hospitalarias, con miras a la atención humanizada, ha sido deseable la actuación de profesionales de diferentes áreas. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo investigar la experiencia subjetiva de los diferentes profesionales que laboran en este sector. La investigación contó con la participación de 23 profesionales del área de Oncología de un hospital público ubicado en el interior de Rio Grande do Sul. En este estudio cualitativo, los participantes fueron entrevistados individualmente, siendo dichas entrevistas mediadas por la presentación de una narrativa interactiva, a la que fueron invitados a inventar un desenlace y asociarse libremente. Se identificaron dos categorías, después de una consideración psicoanalítica, tituladas 'Devuelvo el dolor a los demás' y 'Danza de la soledad'. A partir de ellos, fue posible identificar, respectivamente, cómo los profesionales viven, en su trabajo diario, sus relaciones con los pacientes y con sus compañeros de equipo. Se observó que, para los participantes, el trabajo diario está atravesado por el sufrimiento porque tienen que convivir con el malestar de sus pacientes, así como con las frecuentes pérdidas, sufrimiento que se acentúa al no poder compartirlo con los demás compañeros de trabajo. Se concluye que es necesario desarrollar acciones, especialmente la constitución de un entorno clínico en el que los profesionales puedan tener intercambios afectivos entre sí, que puedan, en un solo tiempo, ayudarles a afrontar el sufrimiento suscitado en el sector de Oncología, además de ayudarles a sentirse parte de este equipo formado por diferentes áreas de especialidad.

ABSTRACT. In the Oncology Ward of hospital institutions, aiming humanized care, the performance of professionals from different areas has been desirable. This study aimed to investigate the subjective experience of the different professionals who work in this sector. The research was developed with the participation of 23 professionals from the Oncology area of ​​a public hospital located in Rio Grande do Sul. In this qualitative study, they were interviewed individually. Those interviews were mediated by the presentation of an interactive narrative, with the participants being asked to create an outcome and to freely associate. Two categories were identified, after psychoanalytic consideration, entitled 'I return the pain to others' and 'Dance of solitude'. From those categories, it was possible to identify, respectively, how professionals experience, in their daily work, their relations with patients and with their teammates. It was observed that, for the participants, the daily work is crossed by suffering because they have to deal with the discomfort of their patients, as well as the frequent losses, a suffering that is accentuated by not being able to share it with their peers at work. It is concluded that it is necessary to develop actions, especially the constitution of a clinical setting in which professionals can have affective exchanges with each other, which could, in just one time, help them to deal with the suffering aroused in the Oncology sector as well as help them to feel that they belong to this team made up of different areas of specialty.

Efeitos da pandemia de COVID-19 nos serviços odontológicos da atenção primária no Maranhão, Brasil / Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on dental services in primary care in Maranhão, Brazil

Resumo O objetivo deste artigo é analisar indicadores de uso de serviços de saúde bucal da atenção primária à saúde no Maranhão antes e durante a pandemia de COVID-19. Estudo ecológico de série temporal interrompida cuja unidade de análise foi o Maranhão. A exposição foi a pandemia de COVID-19, dicotomizada em pré e pandemia. Os desfechos foram calculados pela razão da quantidade de procedimentos preventivos (RPP), de urgência (RPU) e procedimentos curativos (RPC), e a projeção censitária da população do estado, multiplicada por mil, mensalmente. Os dados foram coletados do Sistema de Informação em Saúde para a Atenção Básica e do Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística, no período de 2015.1 a 2022.2. As análises foram realizadas por meio do modelo autorregressivo, integrado e de médias móveis com sazonalidade. Houve tendência crescente dos três indicadores até jan./2019. A pandemia causou redução significativa na RPP (Xreg = -6,55; p-valor = 0,0008) e na RPC (Xreg = -4,74; p-valor = 0,0005), mas não influenciou a RPU (Xreg = -0,03; p-valor = 0,12) desde o primeiro semestre de 2020, persistindo até o segundo semestre de 2022. A pandemia de COVID-19 provocou redução nos serviços preventivos e curativos de saúde bucal no Maranhão.

Abstract This article aims to analyze indicators of the utilization of oral health services (UOHS) in primary health care in the state of Maranhão, Brazil, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted an ecological time series study. The unit of analysis was the state of Maranhão, and the exposure variable was the COVID-19 pandemic, dichotomized into pre-pandemic and pandemic. The outcome variables were the monthly rates per 1,000 population of three UOHS indicators: rate of preventive procedures (RPP-PHC); rate of urgent procedures (RUP-PHC), and rate of curative procedures (RCP-PHC). The data were collected from the Primary Health Care Information System (SISAB) and the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) for the period from 2015-2022. The analyses were performed using the Seasonal Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (SARIMA) model. The three indicators showed an upward trend up to January 2019. The pandemic caused a significant reduction in the RPP (Xreg = -6.55; p-value = 0.0008) and RCP (Xreg = -4.74; p-value = 0.0005), starting in the first semester of 2020 and continuing into the second semester of 2022, but did not influence the RUP (Xreg = -0.03; p-value = 0.12). The COVID-19 pandemic caused a reduction in preventive and curative oral health services in Maranhão.

Comércio de alimentos para consumo imediato no entorno do Programa Academia da Saúde: uma análise segundo desigualdades / Sources of food ready to consume around the Health Academy Program units: an analysis according to inequality

Resumo Objetivou-se analisar espacialmente a distribuição de estabelecimentos de aquisição de alimentos para consumo imediato no entorno do Programa Academia da Saúde (PAS) de Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil, segundo Índice de Desenvolvimento Humano Municipal (IDHM). Estudo ecológico tendo o PAS como unidade de análise. Foram avaliados estabelecimentos de aquisição de alimentos para consumo imediato contidos em buffer circular com raio de 900 metros a partir das 77 unidades do PAS em funcionamento. Endereços e tipos de estabelecimento foram obtidos em lista pública e verificados em auditoria virtual. Mapas de Kernel temático foram elaborados. Identificou-se 3.050 estabelecimentos no entorno das unidades do PAS. Maiores densidades foram observadas na região Centro-sul da cidade e em áreas com IDHM alto e muito alto. Foi elevada a densidade de estabelecimentos comerciais de venda de alimentos para consumo imediato no entorno das unidades do PAS, sobretudo em áreas mais ricas. Os resultados podem subsidiar ações que visem fortalecer o PAS como promotor de ambientes alimentares saudáveis. Ademais, reforça a necessidade de políticas públicas equânimes de abastecimento e regulação visando promover o acesso à alimentação adequada e saudável para todos.

Abstract The aim of this study was to spatially examine the distribution of establishments for the acquisition of food that is ready to consume around the Health Academy Program (PAS) in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil, according to the Municipal Human Development Index (IDH-M).This is an ecological study with the PAS as the unit of analysis. The establishments contained in a circular buffer with a radius of 900 meters from the 77 units of the PAS in operation were evaluated. Address and type of establishment data were obtained from a public list and verified in a virtual audit. Thematic kernel maps were used. A total of 3,050 establishments were identified around the PAS units. Higher densities were observed around units located in the city's south-central region and in areas with high and very high IDH-M. There was a high density of establishments selling ready-to-consume foods around the PAS units, especially in the wealthier parts of the city. These results are useful in supporting the planning of actions aimed at strengthening the PAS as a promoter of healthy eating environments. Further, it reinforces the need for equitable public policies for supply and regulation, aiming to promote access to adequate and healthy food for all.

Brumadinho Health Project: food and nutrition insecurity versus socioeconomic statuses and dimensions of the food system after the dam rupture / Projeto Saúde Brumadinho: insegurança alimentar e nutricional versus condições socioeconômicas e dimensões do sistema alimentar após desastre

ABSTRACT Objective: To describe the situation of food insecurity of families according to the socioeconomic characteristics and dimensions of the food system in Brumadinho, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, after the dam rupture in Córrego do Feijão mine. Methods: This is a descriptive study focused on households carried out from the baseline of the Brumadinho Health Project. Food insecurity, the main outcome, was assessed by the short version of the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale. Other investigated variables were: socioeconomic data; geographic stratum of the households; family's assets; income; expenses; cultivation of food and animal husbandry for consumption. Descriptive analyses were performed comparing the food insecurity of the household according to the other variables by the χ2 test to compare the proportions. Results: Of the investigated households (n=1,441), 35.1% were facing food insecurity. facing food insecurity had: lower prevalence of masonry households with coating (91.4%; 95%CI 87.7%−94.1% vs. 96.7%; 95%CI 94.9%−97.8%); highest proportion of rudimentary cesspit (16.9%; 95%CI 13.3%−21.2% vs. 9.4%; 95%CI 7.4−11.9); lower prevalence of own and paid-off homes (63.9%; 95%CI 56.8−70.5 vs. 77.3%; 95%CI 72.3−81.7); and income reduction after the dam rupture (33.0%; 95%CI 27.1−39.6 vs. 14.1%; 95%CI 11.2−17.6), when compared with those in a food security situation. Conclusion: The prevalence of food insecurity was high, with report of a reduction in household income after the dam rupture. Moreover, most of the households had worse structural quality and sewage outfall. These results evidence the vulnerability of families and possible violation of the human right to adequate food, denoting the urgency of continuous reparative actions.

RESUMO Objetivo: Descrever a situação de insegurança alimentar das famílias segundo as características socioeconômicas e dimensões do sistema alimentar em Brumadinho, Minas Gerais, Brasil, após desastre. Métodos: Estudo descritivo com foco no domicílio realizado pela linha de base do Projeto Saúde Brumadinho. A insegurança alimentar, desfecho principal, foi avaliada pela Escala Brasileira de Insegurança Alimentar curta. Outras variáveis investigadas foram: socioeconômicas; estrato geográfico do domicílio; ativos (bens); renda; despesas familiares; cultivo de alimentos e criação de animais para consumo. Foram realizadas análises descritivas comparando a insegurança alimentar do domicílio segundo as demais variáveis pelo teste χ2 para comparação das proporções. Resultados: Dos domicílios investigados (n=1.441), 35,1% estavam em situação de insegurança alimentar. As famílias em insegurança alimentar apresentavam: menores prevalências de domicílios de alvenaria com revestimento (91,4%; IC95% 87,7%−94,1% vs. 96,7%; IC95% 94,9%−97,8%); maior proporção de fossa rudimentar (16,9%; IC95% 13,3%−21,2% vs. 9,4%; IC95% 7,4−11,9); menor prevalência de domicílios próprios e quitados (63,9%; IC95% 56,8−70,5 vs. 77,3%; IC95% 72,3−81,7); e redução da renda após o rompimento da barragem (33,0%; IC95% 27,1−39,6 vs. 14,1%; IC95% 11,2−17,6), quando comparadas àquelas em segurança alimentar. Conclusão: A prevalência de insegurança alimentar foi elevada, com relato de redução da renda das famílias após o rompimento da barragem. Ademais, boa parte dos domicílios apresentava pior qualidade estrutural e escoamento de esgoto. Esses resultados evidenciam a vulnerabilidade das famílias e possível violação do direito humano à alimentação adequada, denotando a urgência de ações reparadoras contínuas.

Food consumption of Brumadinho Health Project participants / Consumo alimentar em participantes do Projeto Saúde Brumadinho

ABSTRACT: Objective: To analyze the food consumption patterns of residents of Brumadinho, Minas Gerais, Brazil, according to sociodemographic characteristics, neighborhood and area of residence. Methods: Cross-sectional study with baseline data from the Brumadinho Health Project, conducted with 2,805 adult individuals. The healthy food consumption markers analyzed were: fruits and vegetables (FV), beans and fish; the unhealthy markers were: sweets and soda/artificial juices, whole-fat milk and red meat with visible fat or chicken with skin. Prevalence values and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for the total sample and according to sociodemographic characteristics, presence of commercial establishments with varieties of FV in the neighborhood and area of residence affected by the dam failure. Results: Among the healthy food consumption markers, the most common was beans (81.6%), and among the unhealthy ones, whole-fat milk (68.8%) and red meat with visible fat/chicken with skin (61.1%). Women were more prone to higher consumption of FV, while men, of beans and fish; the prevalence of these markers was higher among individuals with higher education degrees and higher incomes. Unhealthy eating markers were more prevalent among men, younger people, individuals with lower educational level and lower incomes, and residents in an area directly affected by the dam failure or in a mining region. Conclusion: Less than half of the participants were considered to follow regular or recommended consumption of healthy eating markers, except for beans. Individual characteristics and area of residence were associated with individuals' food consumption patterns and should be taken into account in actions to promote adequate and healthy eating.

RESUMO: Objetivo: Analisar o consumo alimentar de residentes de Brumadinho, Minas Gerais, Brasil, segundo as características sociodemográficas da vizinhança e a área de residência. Métodos: Estudo transversal com dados da linha de base do Projeto Saúde Brumadinho, conduzido com 2.805 indivíduos adultos. Os marcadores de alimentação saudável analisados foram frutas e hortaliças (FH), feijão e peixe; os não saudáveis foram doces e refrigerante/suco artificial, leite com teor integral de gordura e carne vermelha com gordura visível/frango com pele. Prevalências e intervalos de confiança de 95% foram calculados para a amostra total, segundo características sociodemográficas; presença de estabelecimentos comerciais de FH na vizinhança e área de residência, segundo rompimento da barragem. Resultados: Entre os marcadores de alimentação saudável, o mais prevalente foi o feijão (81,6%) e, entre os não saudáveis, leite com teor integral de gordura (68,8%) e carne vermelha com gordura visível/frango com pele (61,1%). Mulheres apresentaram maior consumo de FH, e homens, de feijão e peixe, sendo maiores as prevalências desses marcadores entre os indivíduos com maior escolaridade e renda. Os marcadores de alimentação não saudável foram mais prevalentes entre os homens, os mais jovens, indivíduos com menor escolaridade e renda e residentes em área diretamente atingida pelo rompimento da barragem ou região de mineração. Conclusão: Menos da metade dos participantes apresentou consumo regular ou recomendado de marcadores de alimentação saudável, exceto o feijão. Características individuais e área de residência foram associadas ao consumo alimentar dos indivíduos, devendo ser consideradas nas ações de promoção da alimentação adequada e saudável.

The COVID-19 pandemic in a Brazilian metropolis: repercussion on food prices / A pandemia de COVID-19 em uma metrópole brasileira: repercussão sobre o preço dos alimentos / La pandemia de COVID-19 en una metrópolis brasileña: repercusión en los precios de las comidas

We analyzed the impact of the efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic on the prices of food sold by a food supply center located in the sixth largest city in Brazil. We examined the percentage change in the prices of 20 types of foods, adjusted by market conditions, using municipal contingency plan stages to compare opening and closing of non-essential services, including bars and restaurants (stage 1: first phase of essential services-only; stage 2: flexibilization; and stage 3: second phase of essential services-only with a "pre-pandemic" period [stage 0]). Log-prices were lower in all contingency stages for leafy greens (variation: 42% to 56%) and vegetables (variation: 28% to 40%). Log-prices of eggs and fruit were 20% and 16% lower during stages 1 and 3, respectively. Strategies to combat the COVID-19 pandemic lowered the prices of eggs, fruit, leafy greens, and vegetables regardless of the market conditions. Accordingly, the supply and demand for fresh and minimally processed foods were affected by the economic crisis and difficulties to access and/or buy perishable foods more often. The impacts of efforts to defeat the pandemic must ensure the human right to adequate food, considering that low prices do not necessarily indicate food security.

Foi analisado o impacto dos esforços para combater a pandemia da COVID-19 sobre o preço dos alimentos comercializados por uma central de abastecimento na sexta maior cidade brasileira. Examinou-se as variações percentuais dos preços de vinte tipos de alimentos, ajustados pelas condições de mercado e pelas fases dos planos de contingência municipais com a abertura e fechamento de serviços não essenciais como bares e restaurantes (fase 1: primeira fase, apenas de serviços essenciais; fase 2: flexibilização; e fase 3: segunda fase apenas de serviços essenciais em comparação com o período "pré-pandêmico" [fase 0]). Os preços logarítmicos eram mais baixos em todas as fases de contingência para vegetais folhosos (variação: 42% e 56%) e hortaliças (variação: 28% a 40%). Os preços logarítmicos de ovos e frutas eram 20% e 16% mais baixos durante as fases 1 e 3, respectivamente. As estratégias para mitigar a pandemia da COVID-19 resultaram em preços mais baixos para ovos, frutas, vegetais folhosos e hortaliças, independentemente das condições de mercado. Isso revela a repercussão das estratégias de combate sobre a procura e oferta de alimentos in natura e minimamente processados, o que pode ser modulado pela crise econômica e pelas dificuldades em acessar e/ou comprar alimentos perecíveis regularmente. Os esforços para eliminar os impactos da pandemia devem assegurar o direito humano à alimentação adequada, uma vez que os preços baixos podem não ser sinônimos de segurança alimentar.

Analizamos el impacto de los esfuerzos para luchar contra la pandemia de COVID-19 en los precios de las comidas vendidas por un centro de suministro alimentario, localizado en la sexta ciudad más grande de Brasil. Examinamos el porcentaje de cambios en los precios de veinte tipos de comidas, ajustados por las condiciones de mercado, por las etapas del plan de contingencia municipal, con la apertura y cierre de los servicios no esenciales como bares y restaurantes (etapa 1: 1ª fase de solo servicios esenciales; etapa 2: flexibilización; y etapa 3: 2ª fase de solo servicios esenciales, en comparación con un periodo "pre-pandemia" [etapa 0]). El registro de precios era más bajo en todas las etapas de contingencia para todas las verduras de hoja verde (variación: 42% a 56%) y hortalizas (variación: 28% a 40%). El registro de precios de huevos y frutas fueron un 20% y un 16% más bajo durante las etapas 1 y 3, respectivamente. Las estrategias para mitigar la pandemia de COVID-19 resultaron en precios más bajos para los huevos, frutas, verduras de hojas verdes y hortalizas, independientemente de sus condiciones de mercado. Además, revela su repercusión en el suministro y demanda de comidas naturales y mínimamente procesadas, lo que quizás se vio modulado por la crisis económica y las dificultades para acceder y/o comprar alimentos perecederos más frecuentemente. Los esfuerzos para eliminar los impactos de la pandemia deben garantizar el derecho humano a alimentos adecuados, puesto que un bajo precio no es indicativo de seguridad alimentaria.

Primary multifocal muscular T-cell lymphoma with cutaneous involvement in a dog: A case report and review of the literature.

Canine lymphoma represents a heterogeneous group of lymphoid neoplasms, with multicentric nodal lymphoma being the most common presentation. Musculoskeletal involvement is uncommon, and primary muscular lymphoma is a very rare presentation. Only a few cases have been described in dogs, which were of variable classification and immunophenotype. Here, we report the case of a 5-year-old female neutered Beagle that presented with an intramuscular mass on the right shoulder and associated lameness and lethargy. One month after initial presentation, multiple cutaneous nodules appeared on the head, and staging with advanced imaging revealed additional masses affecting other muscles. Cytology, histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and PCR for antigen receptor rearrangements of one of the muscle masses and skin lesions supported a diagnosis of peripheral T-cell lymphoma with large granular lymphocytes at both sites. The dog was euthanized after diagnosis due to the poor prognosis. This is the first report of primary muscular peripheral T-cell lymphoma with large granular lymphocytes and cutaneous involvement in the dog. Despite being a rare presentation, lymphoma must be considered a differential in dogs presenting with a discrete, intramuscular, soft tissue mass.

FGF-2 induces a failure of cell cycle progression in cells harboring amplified K-Ras, revealing new insights into oncogene-induced senescence.

Paradoxically, oncogenes that drive cell cycle progression may also trigger pathways leading to senescence, thereby inhibiting the growth of tumorigenic cells. Knowledge of how these pathways operate, and how tumor cells may evade these pathways, is important for understanding tumorigenesis. The Y1 cell line, which harbors an amplification of the proto-oncogene Ras, rapidly senesces in response to the mitogen fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2). To gain a more complete picture of how FGF-2 promotes senescence, we employed a multi-omics approach to analyze histone modifications, mRNA and protein expression, and protein phosphorylation in Y1 cells treated with FGF-2. Compared to control cells treated with serum alone, FGF-2 caused a delayed accumulation of acetylation on histone H4 and higher levels of H3K27me3. Sequencing analysis revealed decreased expression of cell cycle-related genes with concomitant loss of H3K27ac. At the same time, FGF-2 promoted the expression of p21, various cytokines, and MAPK-related genes. Nuclear envelope proteins, particularly lamin B1, displayed increased phosphorylation in response to FGF-2. Proteome analysis suggested alterations in cellular metabolism, as evident by modulated expression of enzymes involved in purine biosynthesis, tRNA aminoacylation, and the TCA cycle. We propose that Y1 cells senesce due to an inability to progress through the cell cycle, which may stem from DNA damage or TGFb signaling. Altogether, the phenotype of Y1 cells is consistent with rapidly established oncogene-induced senescence, demonstrating the synergy between growth factors and oncogenes in driving senescence and bringing additional insight into this tumor suppressor mechanism.