Metagenomic next-generation sequencing in patients with fever of unknown origin: A comprehensive systematic literature review and meta-analysis.

Metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing (mNGS) holds promise in diagnosing fever of unknown origin (FUO) by detecting diverse pathogens. We systematically reviewed the literature to evaluate mNGS's accuracy, clinical efficacy, and limitations in FUO diagnosis. Nine studies revealed mNGS's positivity rate ranging from 66.7% to 93.5% for bacterial bloodstream infections and systemic infections. Meta-analysis of three studies involving 857 patients, including 354 with FUO, showed a sensitivity of 0.91 (95% CI: 0.87-0.93) and specificity of 0.64 (95% CI: 0.58-0.70). Despite lower specificity, mNGS demonstrated a higher Diagnostic Odds Ratio (DOR) of 17.0 (95% CI: 4.5-63.4) compared to conventional microbiological tests (CMTs) at 4.7 (95% CI: 2.9-7.6). While mNGS offers high sensitivity but low specificity in identifying causative pathogens for FUO, its superior DOR suggests potential for more accurate diagnoses and targeted interventions. Further research is warranted to optimize its clinical application in FUO management.

Assessment of health-related quality of life after mild COVID-19 infection.

INTRODUCTION: Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) affected the health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and its impact on well-being is not sufficiently understood yet. The worsening of HRQoL and symptoms such as fatigue, anxiety, depression, chronic Headache, Myalgia, ageusia, olfactory disorders, and cognitive impairment can be seen in people of different ages and genders after COVID-19 infection, even mild infections without hospitalization. These issues generate a disease burden that can reduce work skills and cause social, psychological, and neuropsychiatric challenges. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the HRQoL of patients affected by COVID-19, the domains most affected, and their relationship with fatigue, anxiety, depression, chronic Headache and Myalgia, ageusia, olfactory disorders, and cognitive impairment. METHODS: An analytical transverse was conducted with 143 patients after COVID-19 infection. The patient-reported outcomes measures (PROMS) were collected by the 36-item Short Form survey (SF-36), Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Mini-Mental State Examination-2 (MMSE-2), Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), and a questionnaire regarding symptoms such as chronic Headache, myalgia, and olfactory disorders. Spearman's correlation test was used to correlate the performance of the patients on different PROMS. RESULTS: Fatigue, depression, and anxiety were negatively correlated with all the SF-36 domains, and patients with subjective cognitive complaints had low scores in all SF-36 domains. Furthermore, those with chronic Headaches had low scores in physical functioning, role-physical functioning, and vitality. Regarding myalgia complaints, the worst scores were observed in the physical functioning and vitality domains. Patients with ageusia had low scores in general health perceptions, and those with olfactory dysfunction had low scores in the vitality and mental health domains. CONCLUSIONS: Although the acute phase of COVID-19 has resolved, knowledge about HRQoL after this period is essential since many individual and collective changes have been taking place until today-patients with neuropsychiatric manifestations that persisted after the acute phase showed lower overall quality of life.

Hop (Humulus lupulus L.) extract reverts glycaemic imbalance and cognitive impairment in an animal model of obesity.

The rates of overweight and obesity around the world have increased in past years. The body's adipose tissue stimulates the antioxidant and oxidation imbalance capacity at the cellular level. This scenario favors an inflammatory low-grade systemic condition starting with insulin resistance, which in turn may involve diabetes mellitus type 2 and cognitive decline afterward. Neurological diseases have been correlated to senile age diseases over time. This scenario calls for a change in the incidence of obesity in the younger generation. An unhealthy dietary consumption together with sedentary habits might lead to poor gut absorption of nutrients. Several plants and foods have bioactive compounds that can reduce or inhibit radical scavengers, reactive oxygen species, and metal ion complexes that threaten the cerebral defense system. The bitter acids from hops (Humulus lupulus L.) have been demonstrated to have promising effects on lipid and carbohydrate metabolism improvement, reducing inflammatory responses through alpha acids, beta acids, and analogs action. Therefore, the current study aimed to investigate the bioactivity of hop bitter acids in obese and lean mice. For that, a dry hop extract (DHE) was obtained by applying carbon dioxide as the fluid of supercritical extraction. Afterward, seventy-eight male mice of the C57BL/6J strain were weighed and randomly distributed into six groups of 13 animals each according to the diet offered: (NO) normolipidic diet, (NO1) normolipidic diet containing 0.35% alpha acids, (NO2) normolipidic diet containing 3.5% alpha acids, (HP) hyperlipidic diet, (HP1) hyperlipidic diet containing 0.35% alpha acids, and (HP2) hyperlipidic diet containing 3.5% alpha acids. After applying the glycemic tolerance and insulin tolerance tests, a better stabilization of glycemia levels and weight gain among those animals fed with DHE (NO2 and HP2) were observed in comparison to the obese control group (HP) (p < 0.05). There was also an amelioration of antioxidant capacity observed by checking the enzymatic profile by SOD and an apparent mitigation of brain degeneration by checking GSK3ß and p-IRS1 proteins expression (p < 0.05). The y-maze cognitive test applied to highlight possible obesity-harmful animal brains did not indicate a statistical difference between the groups. Although the weekly dietary intake between the obese HP2 group (33.32 ± 4.11, p < 0.05) and control HP (42.3 ± 5.88, p < 0.05) was different. The bioactive compounds present in DHE have demonstrated relevant effects on glycemic control, insulin signaling, and the consequent modulatory action of the obesity-related markers with the brain's inflammatory progression.

Cell Cycle Kinetics and Sister Chromatid Exchange in Mosaic Turner Syndrome.

Turner syndrome (TS) is caused by a complete or partial absence of an X or Y chromosome, including chromosomal mosaicism, affecting 1 in 2500 female live births. Sister chromatid exchange (SCE) is used as a sensitive indicator of spontaneous chromosome instability. Cells from mosaic patients constitute useful material for SCE evaluations as they grow under the influence of the same genetic background and endogenous and exogenous factors. We evaluated the proliferation dynamics and SCE frequencies of 45,X and 46,XN cells of 17 mosaic TS patients. In two participants, the 45,X cells exhibited a proliferative disadvantage in relation to 46,XN cells after 72 h of cultivation. The analysis of the mean proliferation index (PI) showed a trend for a significant difference between the 45,X and 46,X+der(X)/der(Y) cell lineages; however, there were no intra-individual differences. On the other hand, mean SCE frequencies showed that 46,X+der(X) had the highest mean value and 46,XX the lowest, with 45,X occupying an intermediate position among the lineages found in at least three participants; moreover, there were intra-individual differences in five patients. Although 46,X+der(X)/der(Y) cell lineages, found in more than 70% of participants, were the most unstable, they had a slightly higher mean PI than the 45,X cell lineages in younger (≤17 years) mosaic TS participants. This suggests that cells with a karyotype distinct from 45,X may increase with time in mosaic TS children and adolescents.

Emerging Challenges of Mpox Transmission: An In-depth Scoping Review and Evidence Mapping on Breastfeeding Practices in South America.

BACKGROUND: In 2022, a marked escalation in Monkeypox (Mpox) cases was observed in nonendemic regions, notably South America, despite the virus being traditionally endemic to Central and West Africa. This unexpected shift necessitated a deeper exploration of the novel transmission dynamics, including breastfeeding, given the emerging evidence of potential horizontal and vertical Mpox transmission during mother-infant interactions. RESEARCH AIM: The study aimed to critically evaluate existing evidence on potential horizontal and vertical Mpox transmission related to breastfeeding and to assess guidelines in South American countries regarding Mpox prevention during breastfeeding. METHODS: A scoping review and evidence mapping were conducted, adhering to the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guideline. Data extraction involved identifying primary studies evaluating breastfeeding as a transmission route. Additionally, official documents from South American Health Ministries detailing guidelines or policies on breastfeeding in the context of maternal Mpox infection were reviewed. RESULTS: Three of 215 studies were found relevant; 2 were case reports, and 1 was a laboratory study. Available evidence suggests that contamination could likely occur horizontally through skin-to-skin contact. Six South American countries had issued guidelines on breastfeeding during Mpox infection, but the guidance varied and was not consistent across the region. CONCLUSIONS: The study emphasizes the need for clear and consistent guidelines on breastfeeding during Mpox outbreaks, particularly in South America. Collaborative strategies and regular research updates will be essential in addressing the ongoing public health challenge.

ADHERENCE AND PERSISTENCE TO TREATMENT WITH INFLIXIMAB: ANALYSIS OF A PATIENT SUPPORT PROGRAM COHORT IN BRAZIL.

BACKGROUND: Monoclonal antibodies have proven efficacy in the management of several conditions and infliximab (IFX) is one of the most important drugs of the class. Some recent data have shown low rates of both persistence and adherence to several available biologics. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to describe adherence and persistence rate to IFX treatment and also persistence in the patient support program (PSP), among patients diagnosed with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) or rheumatic diseases (RD) enrolled in the program of a large pharmaceutical company in Brazil. METHODS: Retrospective observational analysis using the PSP database. IBD or RD patients using IFX enrolled on the PSP database between September 2015 and August 2019 were retrospectively evaluated to identify the persistence rate and adherence and followed up until March 1, 2020. Patients were excluded if treatment start date was prior to program entry; first infusion prior to September 1st, 2015 or after August 31st, 2019; the patients did not started treatment; and patients with "OTHERS" in "Indication" field. Persistence was assessed considering both persistence in the program ("PSP persistence") and persistence on IFX in the PSP ("IFX persistence in the PSP"). PSP persistence was defined as the proportion of patients remaining in the program at 6, 12, 24, 36 and 48 months after initiating IFX. To determine IFX persistence in the PSP, censoring was defined at the time the patient left the program, died, or was lost to follow-up. Adherence to treatment was measured by medication possession ratio ((MPR) - All days supply / elapsed days from first prescription to last day of medication possession)). Descriptive statistics were initially used. Kaplan-Meier curve, the median time estimated by the survival function, Cox regression model, and restricted mean survival time (RMST) were used to evaluate the treatment persistence time at 24 months and the logistic regression model was performed aiming to identify variables associated with adherence (MPR ≥80%). RESULTS: A total of 10,233 patients were analyzed, 5,826 (56.9%) with the diagnosis of RD and 4,407 (43.1%) of IBD. At the end of the follow-up (median 9.1 months from PSP entry to the last infusion), persistence in the PSP was 65.6%, 48.2%, 31.0%, 20.7% and 13.1% at 6, 12, 24, 36 and 48 months, respectively. Considering persistence on IFX in the PSP, estimates were 93.7%, 87.8%, 77.0%, 62.4% and 53.0% at 6, 12, 24, 36 and 48 months, respectively. Variables associated with the risk of non-persistence were gender, country region and diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. Median MPR was 94.2%, while the percentage of patients with MPR ≥80% was 91.0%. Variables associated with MPR≥80% were country region and diagnosis of Crohn's disease. CONCLUSION: Many patients leave the program without discontinuing IFX, since the 12-month persistence were very different between program and medication estimates, while high adherence rates were observed among patients enrolled in the PSP. Data highlights the benefits of a PSP.

A Cross-Sectional Analysis Investigating Pregnant Women's Renal Function and Its Association with Lead and Cadmium Exposures-The DSAN Birth Cohort Study in Recôncavo Baiano, Brazil.

Kidney dysfunction is increasing worldwide and is exacerbated by exposure to toxic metals. Also, pregnancy poses an overload on kidney function. We investigated how blood lead (PbB) and cadmium (CdB) levels were associated with kidney function in pregnant women from Recôncavo Baiano, Brazil, during their second trimester. In this cross-sectional study, the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated from serum creatinine and whole blood metal levels were measured by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry in 136 volunteers. Sociodemographic data were collected using semi-structured questionnaires. The medians (IQR) of PbB, CdB, and eGFR were 0.85 µg/dL (0.45-1.75), 0.55 µg/L (0.08-0.91), and 121.8 mL/min/1.73 m2 (106.0-127.9), respectively. PbB medians were significantly higher in the eGFR < 90 group at 2.00 µg/dL (0.83, 3.10). After age-adjusted logistic regression, pregnant women with elevated PbB levels had decreased eGFR (OR = 1.82; 95%-CI, 1.14-3.14). However, the participants with elevated PbB levels who reported consuming alcohol during pregnancy or had CdB in the highest tertile had higher odds of reduced eGFR (OR = 2.44; 95%-CI, 1.30-5.47) and (OR = 11.22; 95% CI, 2.53-103.51), respectively. These results suggest that low Pb exposure may affect kidney function in pregnant women and calls for further investigation into toxic metal co-exposures on kidney function during pregnancy in at-risk communities.

Aflatoxins in maize flour produced in Mozambique and its risk assessment.

This study investigated the occurrence of aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1, and G2) in maize flour produced in Mozambique and to assess the associated carcinogenic risk. At different opportunities, 30 samples of maize flour were collected in five flour processing factories. These were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection. AFB1 concentrations ranged from 0.25 to 0.33 µg kg-1. The levels of total aflatoxins ranged from 0.55 to 1.05 µg kg-1, with a mean of 0.89 µg kg-1, for which maximum limits (MLs) are 10 and 4 µg kg-1 for Mozambique and the European Union, respectively. The calculated Margin of Exposure (MOE) for men and women was 243 and 231, respectively, so several folds below the risk cut-off level, indicating that consumption of such maize flour poses a potential risk of hepatocarcinoma related to aflatoxin exposure due to high intake of this food, a staple diet in most African countries.

A equipe de enfermagem e o atendimento às emergências psiquiátricas: uma revisão integrativa / The nursing team and care for psychiatric emergencies: an integrative review

Analisar o atendimento da equipe de enfermagem nas emergências psiquiátricas. Método: Estudo de revisão integrativa da literatura, considerando como estratégia PICo: (P) Equipe de enfermagem, (I) Atendimento, (Co) Emergências psiquiátricas, os critérios de inclusão são artigos publicados em português, entre 2013 e 2023, disponíveis na Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde. Resultados: Foi elaborado uma tabela para coleta dos dados. Emergiram três categorias: Fragilidades no atendimento de enfermagem às emergências psiquiátricas; Fortalezas no atendimento de enfermagem às emergências psiquiátricas; Educação continuada e permanente como recurso de melhoria da qualidade no atendimento às emergências psiquiátricas. Considerações finais: É evidente a necessidade de ações de educação continuada, a importância dos recursos humanos e físicos adequados para assistência, capacitações profissionais que contemplem a atenção à saúde mental, promoção da desconstrução social, dos estigmas e estereótipos vinculados à loucura e à figura do doente mental.(AU)

To analyze the care provided by the nursing team in psychiatric emergencies. Method: Integrative literature review study, considering the PICo strategy: (P) Nursing team, (I) Care, (Co) Psychiatric emergencies, the inclusion criteria are articles published in Portuguese, between 2013 and 2023, available in the Library Virtual Health. Results: A table was created to collect data. Three categories emerged: Weaknesses in nursing care for psychiatric emergencies; Strengths in nursing care for psychiatric emergencies; Continuing and permanent education as a resource for improving the quality of care for psychiatric emergencies. Final considerations: The need for continuing education actions is evident, the importance of adequate human and physical resources for assistance, professional training that includes mental health care, promotion of social deconstruction, stigmas and stereotypes linked to madness and the figure of brain sick.(AU)

Analizar la atención brindada por el equipo de enfermería en emergencias psiquiátricas. Método: Estudio de revisión integradora de la literatura, considerando la estrategia PICo: (P) Equipo de enfermería, (I) Atención, (Co) Emergencias psiquiátricas, los criterios de inclusión son artículos publicados en portugués, entre 2013 y 2023, disponibles en la Biblioteca Virtual de Salud. Resultados: Se creó una tabla para recolectar datos. Surgieron tres categorías: Debilidades en la atención de enfermería en emergencias psiquiátricas; Fortalezas en la atención de enfermería para emergencias psiquiátricas; La educación continua y permanente como recurso para mejorar la calidad de la atención de las urgencias psiquiátricas. Considerações finais: É evidente a necessidade de ações de educação continuada, a importância dos recursos humanos e físicos adequados para assistência, capacitações profissionais que contemplem a atenção à saúde mental, promoção da desconstrução social, dos estigmas e estereótipos vinculados à loucura e à figura do enfermo mental.(AU)

Açai pulp improves cognition and insulin sensitivity in obese mice.

SCOPE: Obesity and insulin resistance constitute risk factors for the development of tauopathies and other neurodegenerative diseases. (Poly)phenol compounds are under study for its role in protecting effects against neural injuries and degeneration. Here, we investigated the effect of Amazonian açai pulp (AP) intake in the prevention of memory and cognitive impairment resulting from a high-fat diet intake in mice. METHODS AND RESULTS: Obesity and insulin resistance was induced with a high-fat diet and supplemented with 2% AP to investigate peripheral insulin resistance, recognition memory and tau protein stability via AKT/GSK3-ß signaling pathway. The consumption of AP for 70 days improved peripheral insulin sensitivity and phosphorylation of AKT/GSK3-ß in mice hippocampi. The animals fed high-fat diets supplemented with AP showed better performance in the novel object recognition test (NOR) in comparison to the H group. Catalase activity and reduced glutathione (GSH) values were improved in the treated mice. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the supplementation of AP can attenuate the effects of high-fat diet consumption in peripheral insulin resistance and improve cognitive behavior.

Adesão e persistência ao tratamento com infliximabe: análise de uma coorte de um programa de suporte ao paciente no Brasil / Adherence and persistence to treatment with infliximab: analysis of a patient support program cohort in brazil

ABSTRACT Background: Monoclonal antibodies have proven efficacy in the management of several conditions and infliximab (IFX) is one of the most important drugs of the class. Some recent data have shown low rates of both persistence and adherence to several available biologics. Objective: The objective of this study was to describe adherence and persistence rate to IFX treatment and also persistence in the patient support program (PSP), among patients diagnosed with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) or rheumatic diseases (RD) enrolled in the program of a large pharmaceutical company in Brazil. Methods: Retrospective observational analysis using the PSP database. IBD or RD patients using IFX enrolled on the PSP database between September 2015 and August 2019 were retrospectively evaluated to identify the persistence rate and adherence and followed up until March 1, 2020. Patients were excluded if treatment start date was prior to program entry; first infusion prior to September 1st, 2015 or after August 31st, 2019; the patients did not started treatment; and patients with "OTHERS" in "Indication" field. Persistence was assessed considering both persistence in the program ("PSP persistence") and persistence on IFX in the PSP ("IFX persistence in the PSP"). PSP persistence was defined as the proportion of patients remaining in the program at 6, 12, 24, 36 and 48 months after initiating IFX. To determine IFX persistence in the PSP, censoring was defined at the time the patient left the program, died, or was lost to follow-up. Adherence to treatment was measured by medication possession ratio ((MPR) - All days supply / elapsed days from first prescription to last day of medication possession)). Descriptive statistics were initially used. Kaplan-Meier curve, the median time estimated by the survival function, Cox regression model, and restricted mean survival time (RMST) were used to evaluate the treatment persistence time at 24 months and the logistic regression model was performed aiming to identify variables associated with adherence (MPR ≥80%). Results: A total of 10,233 patients were analyzed, 5,826 (56.9%) with the diagnosis of RD and 4,407 (43.1%) of IBD. At the end of the follow-up (median 9.1 months from PSP entry to the last infusion), persistence in the PSP was 65.6%, 48.2%, 31.0%, 20.7% and 13.1% at 6, 12, 24, 36 and 48 months, respectively. Considering persistence on IFX in the PSP, estimates were 93.7%, 87.8%, 77.0%, 62.4% and 53.0% at 6, 12, 24, 36 and 48 months, respectively. Variables associated with the risk of non-persistence were gender, country region and diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. Median MPR was 94.2%, while the percentage of patients with MPR ≥80% was 91.0%. Variables associated with MPR≥80% were country region and diagnosis of Crohn's disease. Conclusion: Many patients leave the program without discontinuing IFX, since the 12-month persistence were very different between program and medication estimates, while high adherence rates were observed among patients enrolled in the PSP. Data highlights the benefits of a PSP.

RESUMO Contexto: Os anticorpos monoclonais têm eficácia comprovada no manejo de diversas condições e o infliximabe (IFX) é um dos medicamentos mais importantes da classe. Alguns dados recentes demonstram baixas taxas de persistência e adesão a vários dos biológicos disponíveis. Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever a adesão e persistência ao tratamento com IFX e a persistência no programa de suporte ao paciente (PSP), entre pacientes diagnosticados com doenças inflamatórias intestinais (DII) ou doenças reumáticas (DR) inscritos no PSP de uma grande indústria farmacêutica no Brasil. Métodos: Análise observacional retrospectiva utilizando o banco de dados do PSP. Pacientes com DII ou DR usando IFX inscritos no banco de dados do PSP entre setembro de 2015 e agosto de 2019 foram avaliados retrospectivamente para identificar a taxa de persistência e adesão e acompanhados até 1º de março de 2020. Os pacientes foram excluídos se a data de início do tratamento fosse anterior à entrada no programa; primeira infusão antes de 1º de setembro de 2015 ou após 31 de agosto de 2019; o paciente não iniciou o tratamento; e pacientes com "OUTROS" no campo "indicação". A persistência foi avaliada considerando tanto a persistência no programa ("persistência PSP") quanto a persistência em uso de infliximabe no PSP ("persistência IFX no PSP"). A persistência no PSP foi definida como a proporção de pacientes que permaneceram no programa aos 6, 12, 24, 36 e 48 meses após o início do IFX. Para determinar a persistência do IFX no PSP, a censura foi definida quando o paciente deixou o programa, morreu ou perdeu o acompanhamento. A adesão ao tratamento foi medida pela razão de posse do medicamento (MPR)): todos os dias de fornecimento / decorridos da primeira prescrição ao último dia de posse do medicamento). A estatística descritiva foi inicialmente utilizada. A curva de Kaplan-Meier, o tempo mediano estimado pela função de sobrevida, o modelo de regressão de Cox e o tempo de sobrevida médio restrito (RMST) foram utilizados para avaliar o tempo de persistência do tratamento em 24 meses e o modelo de regressão logística foi realizado para identificar variáveis associadas à adesão (MPR ≥80%). Resultados: Foram analisados 10.233 pacientes, 5.826 (56,9%) com diagnóstico de DR e 4.407 (43,1%) de DII. Ao final do seguimento (mediana de 9,1 meses desde a entrada no PSP até a última infusão), a persistência no PSP foi de 65,6%, 48,2%, 31,0%, 20,7% e 13,1% aos 6, 12, 24, 36 e 48 meses, respectivamente. Considerando a persistência no IFX no PSP, as estimativas foram de 93,7%, 87,8%, 77,0%, 62,4% e 53,0% aos 6, 12, 24, 36 e 48 meses, respectivamente. As variáveis associadas ao risco de não persistência foram sexo, região do país e diagnóstico de artrite reumatoide e espondilite anquilosante. A mediana do MPR foi de 94,2%, enquanto o percentual de pacientes com MPR ≥80% foram de 91,0%. As variáveis associadas a MPR ≥80% foram região do país e diagnóstico de doença de Crohn. Conclusão: Muitos pacientes abandonam o programa sem interromper o IFX, pois a persistência em 12 meses foi muito diferente entre as estimativas do programa e da medicação, enquanto altas taxas de adesão foram observadas entre os pacientes inscritos no PSP. Os dados destacam os benefícios de um PSP.

Quality of life and metamemory in higher education students during the COVID-19 pandemic / Qualidade de vida e metamemória em estudantes do nível superior durante a pandemia da COVID-19

ABSTRACT Purpose: to analyze the quality of life and metamemory and verify their predictors in students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: a cross-sectional survey carried out through online collection with the application of an initial questionnaire to characterize the sample, the WHOQOL-brief to investigate the quality of life, and the Metamemory Questionnaire in Adults (short version) - MIAr to evaluate metamemory in a group of undergraduate and postgraduate students. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Multiple linear regression was performed to verify the predictor variables. A significance level of 5% (p ≤ 0.05) was considered. Results: 977 university students participated in the study, the majority (70.73%) of whom were females and with an income range below three minimum wages (63.56%). For quality of life, income range, being in the risk group for COVID-19, and age were predictors for both the undergraduate and postgraduate groups. In contrast, on an excellent metamemory, the predictors were male gender and age. Conclusion: for students, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the main predictor of quality of life was having a higher income bracket, and the main predictor of metamemory was being a male.

RESUMO Objetivo: analisar a qualidade de vida e a metamemória e verificar seus preditores em estudantes durante a pandemia da COVID-19. Métodos: trata-se de uma pesquisa transversal realizada por meio de coleta online com a aplicação de um questionário inicial para caracterizar a amostra, do WHOQOL-bref para investigar a qualidade de vida e do Questionário de Metamemória em Adultos (versão reduzida) - MIAr para avaliar a metamemória, em um grupo de estudantes de graduação e outro de pós-graduação. Os dados foram analisados por meio de estatística descritiva e inferencial. Realizou-se a regressão linear múltipla para verificar as variáveis preditoras. Foi considerado o nível de significância de 5% (p≤0,05). Resultados: participaram do estudo 977 universitários, sendo a maioria (70,73%) do gênero feminino e com faixa de renda menor que três salários-mínimos (63,56%). Para a qualidade de vida, tanto para o grupo de graduandos quanto de pós-graduandos, a faixa de renda, o grupo de risco para COVID-19 e a idade foram preditores, enquanto para uma boa metamemória os preditores foram o gênero masculino e a idade. Conclusão: para os estudantes, durante a pandemia da COVID-19, o principal preditor da qualidade de vida foi possuir maior faixa de renda e o da metamemória foi ser do gênero masculino.

Impact of chronic toxoplasmosis in pregnancy: association between maternal seropositivity for Toxoplasma gondii IgG antibodies and fetal growth restriction.

Insults caused by acute infections during the gestational period on fetal development are known; however, new evidence suggests that chronic infectious diseases can also impact the maternal immune status and lead to negative consequences for the neonate. This study investigated the association between the prevalence of specific antibodies in pregnant women and alterations in fetal development at birth. A follow-up study evaluated women during the gestational period and their respective newborns at delivery time. The pregnant women were tested for the presence of antibodies to infectious agents: Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), cytomegalovirus (CMV), syphilis, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B and C. Semi-structured questionnaires were administered to the pregnant women at the time of recruitment after obtaining informed consent. Detailed information about the newborns was extracted from medical records. The seroprevalence of chronic T. gondii infection, as determined by the presence of IgG antibodies against the protozoan, was found to be 56.2%, while the overall prevalence of CMV IgG antibodies was 96.3%. Non-primiparous pregnant women from socio-economic classes, less affluent groups, and skilled working-class individuals had higher chances of testing positive for specific T. gondii IgG antibodies. Newborns classified as small for gestational age represented 12.9% of the total. Those born to mothers seropositive for anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies were 9.4 times more likely to be born small for gestational age (p = 0.035). The results suggest that chronic T. gondii infection may contribute to higher rates of newborns with growth restriction. These findings add to a growing body of evidence regarding the impact of chronic infectious diseases on intrauterine fetal development.

Investigação sobre os métodos de assepsia e equipamentos de proteção individual utilizados por manicures e pedicures / Research on asepsy methods and personal protective equipment used by manicurs and pedicurers / Investigación sobre métodos de asepsia y equipos de protección individual utilizados por manicuras y pedicuras

Introdução: As atividades laborais de manicures e pedicures geram riscos de exposições acidentais aos patógenos vinculados ao sangue como vírus, fungos e bactérias, devido à falta de adesão às medidas de biossegurança, e procedimentos de esterilização acarretando riscos à saúde dos profissionais e clientes. Objetivo:Verificar os conhecimentos das manicures e pedicures sobre os métodos de limpeza e esterilização de materiais, o uso de equipamentos de proteção individual e doenças relacionadas à profissão. Metodologia:Estudo transversal de abordagem quantitativa, realizado entre Outubro de 2017 a Janeiro de 2018, com 22 participantes finais. Incluídos os maiores de 18 anos, ambos os sexos, experiência mínima de um ano e residir em Nova Floresta. A técnica para seleção da amostra foi snowball. Resultados: A limitação de conhecimento sobre os riscos laborais na exposição de agentes infectantes, a baixa adesão no uso de equipamentos de proteção individuale a falta de padronização no processo de descontaminação, limpeza, desinfecção e esterilização dos instrumentais estão associados ao potencial risco de contaminação por agentes infecciosos, e ao acometimento de doenças infectocontagiosas por manicures, pedicures e clientela. Conclusões:Existem fragilidades no conhecimento destes profissionais,a maioria expõe métodos de antissepsia precários, devido a falta de sistematização e padronização dos procedimentos de limpeza, descontaminação dos instrumentais e o uso de equipamentos de proteção individual, além do conhecimento da profissão ter sido adquirido informalmente (AU).

Introduction: The work activities of manicurists and pedicurists generate risks of accidental exposure to pathogens linked to the blood such as viruses, fungi and bacteria, due to the lack of adherence to biosafety measures, and sterilization procedures causing risks to the health of professionals and clients. Objective:To verify the knowledge of manicurists and pedicurists on methods of cleaning and sterilizing materials, the use of personal protective equipment and diseases related to the profession. Methodology: Cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach, carried out between October 2017 and January 2018, with 22 final participants. Included are those over 18 years of age, both sexes, with at least one year's experience and residing in Nova Floresta. The technique for sample selection was snowball.Results:Limited knowledge about occupational risks in the exposure of infectious agents, low adherence to the use of personal protective equipmentand the lack of standardization in the process of decontamination, cleaning, disinfection and sterilizationof instruments are associated with the potential risk of contamination by infectious agents, and the spread of infectious diseases by manicurists, pedicurists and clientele. Conclusions:There are weaknesses in the knowledge of these professionals, most expose precarious antisepsis methods, due to the lack of systematization and standardization of cleaning procedures, decontamination of instruments and the use of personal protective equipment, in addition to the knowledge of the profession having been acquired informally (AU).

Introducción: Las actividades laborales de manicuras y pedicuras generan riesgos de exposiciónaccidental a patógenos ligados a la sangre como virus, hongos y bacterias, debido al incumplimiento de medidas de bioseguridad y procedimientos de esterilización generando riesgos a la salud de profesionales y clientes. Objetivo:Verificar los conocimientos de manicuras y pedicuras sobre métodos de limpieza y esterilización de materiales, el uso de equipos de protección personal y enfermedades relacionadas con la profesión. Metodología:Estudio transversal de abordaje cuantitativo, realizado entre octubre de 2017 y enero de 2018, con 22 participantes finales. Se incluyen los mayores de 18 años, de ambos sexos, con experiencia mínima de un año y vivir en Nova Floresta. La técnica para la selección de la muestra fue la de bola de nieve. Resultados:El conocimiento limitado sobre los riesgos laborales en la exposición de agentes infecciosos, la baja adherencia al uso de equipo de protección personal y la falta de estandarización en el proceso de descontaminación, limpieza, desinfección y esterilización de instrumentos se asocian con el riesgo potencial de contaminación por agentes infecciosos, y la propagación de enfermedades infecciosas entre manicuras, pedicuras y clientela. Conclusiones:Existen debilidades en el conocimiento de estos profesionales, la mayoría expone métodos de antisepsia precarios, debido a la falta de sistematización y estandarización de los procedimientos de limpieza, descontaminación de los instrumentos y el uso de equipo de protección Personal,además de haber adquirido los conocimientos de la profesión informalmente (AU).

Morbidades em gestantes assistidas por equipes da Estratégia Saúde da Família / Morbidity in pregnant women assisted by teams of the Family Health Strategy

Introdução: Diante de um maior número de doenças em gestantes, destaca-se a importância de uma assistência multidisciplinar no período pré-natal. Objetivos: Analisar a prevalência das principais doenças diagnosticadas em gestantes no norte de Minas Gerais. Metodologia: Foi realizado um estudo quantitativo, epidemiológico e transversal no período de 2018 a 2019 em gestantes oriundas do norte de Minas Gerais. Utilizou-se questionário que contemplava variáveis sociodemográficas e econômicas, obstétricas e de saúde. Resultados: A amostra foi composta por 1279 gestantes com idade inferior a 30 anos. A prevalência da infecção urinária foi de 19,3%, seguida da anemia 11,4% e enxaqueca 11,4%. Outras doenças associadas também foram analisadas, a exemplo da candidíase, hipotireodismo e depressão pós-parto da gestação anterior. Conclusão: Na população estudada, houve elevada prevalência da infecção urinária, doença de grande relevância para o planejamento de estratégias de promoção da saúde e prevenção de doenças gestacionais no acompanhamento pré-natal.

Introduction: Faced with a greater number of diseases in pregnant women, the importance of multidisciplinary care in the prenatal period is highlighted. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the prevalence of the main diseases diagnosed in pregnant women in the north of Minas Gerais. METHODOLOGY: A quantitative, epidemiological and cross-sectional study was carried out from 2018 to 2019 in pregnant women from the north of Minas Gerais. A questionnaire was used that included sociodemographic and economic, obstetric and health variables. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 1279 pregnant women under 30 years of age. The prevalence of urinary infection was 19.3%, followed by anemia 11.4% and migraine 11.4%. Other associated diseases were also analyzed, such as candidiasis, hypothyroidism and postpartum depression from a previous pregnancy. CONCLUSION: In the population studied, there was a high prevalence of urinary tract infection, a disease of great importance for planning strategies for health promotion and prevention of gestational diseases in prenatal care.

Water quality monitoring in southern Brazil and the assessment of risk factors related to contamination by coliforms and Escherichia coli.

The potability of water, including underground sources, is constantly affected by human activities. To assess water quality and water security in rural and urban areas of southern Brazil, a quantitative, retrospective analysis of water samples collected monthly by the Brazilian health authorities (19,687 samples from 2013 to 2021) was performed. In rural areas, 5,979 water samples (77.54%) were found to be contaminated by coliform bacteria and 3,431 (44.50%) by Escherichia coli. In addition, 1,616 (20.95%) of the contaminated samples were significantly correlated with rainfall amount. In urban areas, 1,268 (10.95%) of the samples contained coliform bacteria and 293 (2.53%) of these samples contained E. coli, with the factor of rainfall associated with 1,081 samples (9.33%) with bacterial contamination. In terms of physicochemical parameters, turbidity exceeded the national standard (5 uT) in 448 (2.32%) samples and fluoride fell below the required level (0.8 mg/L) in 106 samples (0.54%). The presence of free residual chlorine (0.2-2.0 mg/L) was verified in 846 samples (14.38%) in rural areas and in 10,825 samples (56.13%) in urban areas. These results suggest a strong association between rainfall factors and physicochemical alterations, as well as the risk of greater microbial contamination of water for human consumption.

Macro and trace element compositions and physicochemical parameters of guajiru fruits (Chrysobalanus icaco l.) from two Brazilian states.

Chrysobalanus icaco L. is a tree found in America and Africa. In Brazil it can be found in the biome along the coast. It has great food potential and its fruits, named guajiru, are consumed by fishing communities in natura and processed as jams and jellies. However, the literature on this tree species is limited. This study aims to describe the element contents and physicochemical characteristics of the C. icaco fruits from two regions in Brazil and investigate if they influence its sensory characteristics. The fruits were collected in the Northeastern region of Brazil in Maracajaú, State of Rio Grande do Norte (RN) and in Salvador, Bahia (BA). The morphometric characteristics, color, texture, and sensory analyses were carried out on the fruits in natura, and the physicochemical analyses and mineral profile on the pulp homogenized with the peel. The mineral profile showed K > Na > Mn > Mg > Ca > Fe > Mn > Cu > Zn > Ni > Cr, varying from 206 mg/100g (K) to 0.87 µg/100 g (Cr). The fruits from RN presented higher levels of trace and macronutrients, which affected the sensory characteristics, mainly the flavor, and led to better acceptance of these samples as compared to those from BA. The results suggest that C. icaco fruits present a good nutritional profile and sensory acceptance and hence their commercialization could be stimulated as a table fruit or mixed with other fruits.

Environmental neurodevelopment toxicity from the perspective of Bronfenbrenner's bioecological model: a case study of toxic metals.

A growing body of literature reports the need for an integrated approach to study the effects of the physical environment on the neurodevelopment of children. Assessment of the true neurotoxicity of pollutants cannot be performed separately from the ecological and multidimensional contexts in which they act. In this study, from the perspective of the Bronfenbrenner's bioecological model, a conceptual model was developed that encompasses the social and biological characteristics of children from the gestational period to childhood, considering exposure to toxic metals. First, we present the toxicity of the main metals and some concept notions that we used in our framework, such as social and structural determinants of health, allostatic load, embodiment, and epigenetic concepts. Then, the main aspects of the Bronfenbrenner's bioecological model, which allow integration of the gene-social relationship in addition to the physical environment, where these metals act, are explained. Finally, we present and discuss the conceptual framework showing how, in real life, biological and social factors may together influence the neurodevelopment of children. Although this model is based on a group of contaminants, it opens new horizons on how environmental sciences, such as neurotoxicology and environmental epidemiology, can articulate with the theoretical models from human sciences to provide a broader approach to study the effects on human neurodevelopment.

Curcumin and melphalan cotreatment induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells.

Breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer worldwide and the leading cause of cancer death in women. Dietary bioactive compounds may act at different stages of carcinogenesis, including tumor initiation, promotion, and progression. Spices have been used for thousands of years and have many bioactive compounds with chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic properties. Curcumin has a multitude of beneficial biological properties, including anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects. This study investigated the effects of cotreatment with curcumin and the chemotherapeutic drug melphalan in cultured MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. When used alone, both curcumin and melphalan had a cytotoxic effect on breast cancer cells. Combined treatment with 11.65 µM of curcumin and 93.95 µM of melphalan (CURC/MEL) reduced cell viability by 28.64% and 72.43% after 24 h and 48 h, respectively. CURC/MEL reduced the number of colony-forming units and increased ROS levels by 1.36-fold. CURC/MEL alter cell cycle progression, induce apoptosis, and upregulate caspases-3, -7, and -9, in MDA-MB-231 cells. Cotreatment with curcumin and melphalan have anti-breast cancer cells effects and represent a promising candidate for clinical testing.