SARS-CoV-2 Omicron-B.1.1.529 leads to widespread escape from neutralizing antibody responses.

On 24th November 2021, the sequence of a new SARS-CoV-2 viral isolate Omicron-B.1.1.529 was announced, containing far more mutations in Spike (S) than previously reported variants. Neutralization titers of Omicron by sera from vaccinees and convalescent subjects infected with early pandemic Alpha, Beta, Gamma, or Delta are substantially reduced, or the sera failed to neutralize. Titers against Omicron are boosted by third vaccine doses and are high in both vaccinated individuals and those infected by Delta. Mutations in Omicron knock out or substantially reduce neutralization by most of the large panel of potent monoclonal antibodies and antibodies under commercial development. Omicron S has structural changes from earlier viruses and uses mutations that confer tight binding to ACE2 to unleash evolution driven by immune escape. This leads to a large number of mutations in the ACE2 binding site and rebalances receptor affinity to that of earlier pandemic viruses.

Reduced neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 B.1.617 by vaccine and convalescent serum.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has undergone progressive change, with variants conferring advantage rapidly becoming dominant lineages, e.g., B.1.617. With apparent increased transmissibility, variant B.1.617.2 has contributed to the current wave of infection ravaging the Indian subcontinent and has been designated a variant of concern in the United Kingdom. Here we study the ability of monoclonal antibodies and convalescent and vaccine sera to neutralize B.1.617.1 and B.1.617.2, complement this with structural analyses of Fab/receptor binding domain (RBD) complexes, and map the antigenic space of current variants. Neutralization of both viruses is reduced compared with ancestral Wuhan-related strains, but there is no evidence of widespread antibody escape as seen with B.1.351. However, B.1.351 and P.1 sera showed markedly more reduction in neutralization of B.1.617.2, suggesting that individuals infected previously by these variants may be more susceptible to reinfection by B.1.617.2. This observation provides important new insights for immunization policy with future variant vaccines in non-immune populations.

Volatile Organic Compounds from Offspring of Stingless Bee Sacrificed in Hygienic Behavior Test.

This study shows the profile of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from pupae and larvae of Melipona quadrifasciata anthidioides Lepeletier subjected to three death induction techniques for hygienic behavior (HB) studies: freezing in liquid nitrogen (LN2), freezing in a freezer (FRZ) and piercing of offspring with an entomological pin (PIN). The VOCs from larvae and pupae were obtained through headspace solid-phase microextraction and characterized using gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. In addition, an HB test was performed on the colonies. The main classes of VOCs were hydrocarbons, terpenes and alcohols. Multivariate analysis was applied and showed that there was a separation in the compound profiles between the different treatments. The HB test in the colonies showed that 24 hours after the application of the techniques, the bees removed more dead larvae in LN2 treatment (83.5 %), while after 48 hours more larvae were removed in the LN2 and FRZ treatments (92.3 %). When compared to pupae removal, larvae removal was significantly faster in LN2.

Psychosocial mediators and moderators of a school-based physical activity intervention among Brazilian adolescents.

School-based interventions are needed due to the low levels of physical activity (PA) in adolescents. The aim is to examine the mediation effects of psychosocial factors (attitude, self-efficacy, social support from parents, friends, general teachers, and PE teachers, and environment school perception) and moderation by sex, school grade, and socioeconomic level of a school-based PA intervention on the PA practice among adolescents. The Movimente Programme is a randomised controlled trial at schools in southern Brazil (n = 921 adolescents). Strategies included teacher training, educational actions, and environmental changes. Adolescents self-reported their weekly PA. Potential psychosocial mediators and moderators were investigated through validated questionnaires in a Brazilian sample. The product of the coefficients with percentile bootstrapping 95% confidence interval was performed. The Movimente Programme was related to positive changes in adolescents' perception of the school environment and social support from general and physical education teachers. Most psychosocial variables (attitude, self-efficacy, social support from friends, and social support from teachers) were associated with PA, but none mediated the impact of the Movimente Programme on PA. Results varied according to sex and school grade. The Movimente Programme increased the adolescents' perception of the school environment and social support from teachers, but no mediators were confirmed.

Bidirectional Daily Associations Between Accelerometer-Measured Sleep and Physical Activity in Brazilian High School Students.

PURPOSE: This study analyzed day-to-day estimates of bidirectional associations between sleep parameters and intensity-specific physical activity and assessed whether the timing of physical activity influences these relationships. METHODS: The sample was comprised of 651 high school students (51.2% female, 16.33 [1.0] y old) from southern Brazil. Physical activity and sleep were measured using accelerometers. Multilevel models were applied to test associations of nocturnal total sleep time, onset, and efficiency with moderate to vigorous and light (LPA) physical activity. RESULTS: Higher engagement in moderate to vigorous physical activity and LPA was associated with increased total sleep time, and this effect was greater when physical activity was performed in the morning. Morning and evening LPA were associated with increased sleep efficiency and reduced total sleep time, respectively. Practice of LPA in the morning leads to early sleep onset, whereas evening LPA was associated with later onset. Higher total sleep time and later sleep onset were associated with lower moderate to vigorous physical activity and LPA on the following day. However, higher sleep efficiency was associated with increased LPA. CONCLUSION: The relationship between sleep parameters and physical activity is bidirectional and dependent on physical activity intensity and timing.

Clustering of Physical Activity, Sleep, Diet, and Screen-Based Device Use Associated with Self-Rated Health in Adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about how the interplay among health-related behaviors impacts self-rated health (SRH). We examined the clustering of physical activity (PA), sleep, diet, and specific screen-based device use, and the associations between the emergent clusters and SRH among Brazilian adolescents. METHOD: The data used in this cross-sectional study were from the baseline of the Movimente Program. Self-reported data were analyzed. SRH was recorded as a 5-point scale (from poor to excellent). Daily duration of exposure to the computer, the television, the cell phone, and games; PA; sleep; and weekly consumption of fruits and vegetables and ultra-processed foods were included in a Two-Step cluster analysis. Multilevel ordered logistic regressions assessed the associations between the clusters and SRH. RESULTS: The data of 750 students (girls: 52.8%, 13.1 ± 1.0 years) were analyzed. Good SRH was more prevalent (52.8%). Three clusters were identified: the Phubbers (50.53%; characterized by the longest cell phone use duration, shortest gaming and computer use, lowest PA levels, and low consumption of fruits and vegetables), the Gamers (22.80%; longest gaming and computer use duration, PA < sample average, highest intake of ultra-processed foods), and a Healthier cluster (26.67%; physically active, use of all screen-based devices < sample average, and healthier dietary patterns). For both Gamers (-0.85; 95% CI -1.24, -0.46) and Phubbers (-0.71; 95% CI -1.04, -0.38), it was found a decrease in the log-odds of being in a higher SRH category compared with the Healthier cluster. CONCLUSION: Specific clusters represent increased health-related risk. Assuming the interdependence of health-related behaviors is indispensable for accurately managing health promotion actions for distinguishable groups.

Active Intrapartum SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Pregnancy Outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: Severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection during pregnancy has been associated with poor pregnancy outcomes. There is, however, not much information on the impact of the timing of SARS-CoV-2 infection on pregnancy outcomes, and studies from low-middle income settings are also scarce. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a cross-sectional study from April to December 2020, in South Africa, to assess the association of SARS-CoV-2 infection on a nasal swab at the time of labor with fetal death, preterm birth, low birth weight, or pregnancy-induced complications. When possible, maternal blood, cord blood, and placenta were collected. SARS-CoV-2 infection was investigated by a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT). RESULTS: Overall, 3,117 women were tested for SARS-CoV-2 on a nasal swab, including 1,562 (50%) healthy women with uncomplicated term delivery. A positive NAAT was detected among 132 (4%) women. Adverse birth outcomes or pregnancy-related complications were not associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection at the time of labor. Among SARS-CoV-2-infected women, an NAAT-positive result was also obtained from 6 out of 98 (6%) maternal blood samples, 8 out of 93 (9%) cord-blood samples, 14 out of 54 (26%) placentas, and 3 out of 22 (14%) nasopharyngeal swabs from newborns collected within 72 hours of birth. Histological assessment of placental tissue revealed that women with SARS-CoV-2 nasal infection had a higher odds (3.82, 95% confidence interval: 1.20, 12.19) of chronic chorioamnionitis compared with those without SARS-CoV-2 infection. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates that intrapartum, SARS-CoV-2 infection was not associated with evaluated poor outcomes. In utero fetal and placental infections and possible vertical and/or horizontal viral transfer to the newborn were detected among women with nasal SARS-CoV-2 infection. KEY POINTS: · Intrapartum SARS-CoV-2 infection was not associated with evaluated poor outcomes.. · In utero fetal and placental infections were detected among women with nasal SARS-CoV-2 infection.. · Women with SARS-CoV-2 nasal infection had a higher odds of chronic chorioamnionitis..

Psychometric analysis of the Brazilian-version Kidscreen-27 questionnaire.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to verify the reliability, discriminatory power and construct validity of the Kidscreen-27 questionnaire in Brazilian adolescents. METHODS: Adolescents that participated of the pilot study (210 adolescents; 52.9% boys; 13.7 years old) and of the baseline (816 participants; 52.7% girls; 13.1 years old) of the Movimente Project in 2016/2017 composed the sample of the present study. This project was carried out in six public schools in the city of Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil. Test-retest reproducibility was assessed by the intraclass correlation coefficient and Gwet coefficient; internal consistency through McDonald's Omega; Hankins' Delta G coefficient verified the scale's discriminatory power and; confirmatory factor analysis to assess construct validity. RESULTS: Reproducibility values ranged from 0.71 to 0.78 for the dimensions (ICC), and ranged from 0.60 to 0.83 for the items (Gwet). McDonald's Ômega (0.82-0.91) for internal consistency measures. Discriminatory power ranging from 0.94 for the dimension Social Support and Friends to 0.98 for Psychological Well-Being. The factorial loads were > 0.40, except for item 19 (0.36). The fit quality indicators of the model were adequate (X2[df] = 1022.89 [311], p < 0.001; RMSEA = 0.053 (0.049-0.087); CFI = 0.988; TLI = 0.987), confirming the five-factor structure originally proposed. CONCLUSIONS: The Brazilian-version Kidscreen-27 achieved good levels of reproducibility, internal consistency, discriminatory power and construct validity. Its use is adequate to measure the health-related quality of life of adolescents in the Brazilian context.

Root colonization and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal community composition in a genetically modified maize, its non-modified isoline, and a landrace.

The use of genetically modified (GM) plants has increased in recent decades, but there are uncertainties about their effects on soil microbial communities. Aiming to quantify root colonization and characterize arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) communities associated with roots and rhizosphere soil of different maize genotypes, a field trial was carried out in Southern Brazil with three maize genotypes as follows: a GM hybrid (DKB 240 VTPRO), its non-modified isoline (DKB 240), and a landrace (Pixurum). Soil samples were collected to evaluate the occurrence of AMF during the growth of corn genotypes at sowing and V3 (vegetative), R1 (flowering), and R3 (grain formation) stages of the crop. The occurrence of AMF was determined by the morphological identification of spores, and by analyzing AMF community composition in soil and roots of maize, using PCR-DGGE. The GM genotype of maize promoted lower mycorrhizal colonization in the vegetative stage and had lower sporulation at grain development than the conventional hybrid and the landrace maize. Twenty AMF morphotypes were identified and 13 were associated with all maize genotypes. The genera Acaulospora, Glomus, and Dentiscutata had the largest numbers of species. There were no differences in AMF community composition due to maize genotypes or genetic modification, but crop phenological stages affected AMF communities associated with maize roots.

Physical inactivity, television time and chronic diseases in Brazilian adults and older adults.

This study aimed to investigate the association between simultaneity of leisure-time physical inactivity and high television time with the presence of chronic diseases in adults and older adults in Brazil. We analyzed secondary data from Vigitel 2013 database, a cross-sectional national survey. It was included 37 947 adults (18-59 years) and 14 982 older adults (≥60 years) living in Brazilian state capitals. The association was between simultaneity of risk behaviors considering leisure-time physical inactivity (<10 min/day) and high television time (≥2 h/day), with the presence of chronic diseases (diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension and obesity), measured according to the age group. We performed a binary logistic regression, crude and adjusted analysis, using weighted to reflect population estimates. In adults, there was an association between leisure-time physical inactivity and television time with the presence of diseases. In practice, the simultaneity of risk behaviors when compared with those without risk behavior had higher odds for diabetes (OR = 1.83), dyslipidemia (OR = 1.17), hypertension (OR = 1.54) and obesity (OR = 1.60). In older adults, the simultaneity was associated with diabetes (OR = 1.61), hypertension (OR = 1.33) and obesity (OR = 1.81). We concluded that for adults and older adults the simultaneity of leisure-time physical inactivity and high television time increased the odds for the presence of chronic disease, especially for diabetes and obesity.

Is the availability of open public spaces associated with leisure-time physical activity in Brazilian adults?

This study aims to analyse the association between perceived presence of public spaces near residences and practice of physical activity during leisure time by adults in the state capitals of Brazil, based on sociodemographic characteristics. Participants were individuals aged ≥18 years living in the 27 state capitals of Brazil (n = 52 929, 53.9% female) who responded to a national survey called VIGITEL in 2013. Physical activity during leisure time (≥1 time/week), perception of space, population and sociodemographic variables (sex, age, years of study and geographic region) were self-reported. The adjusted binary logistic regression analysis was used. Among adults, the prevalence of physical activity during leisure was 45.1% (95% CI [44.2; 46.0]), and 71.1% (95% CI [70.2, 71.8]) perceived public space near their residence. A direct association between perceiving public space and physical activity ([OR] = 1.43; 95% CI [1.32; 1.55]) was observed. No significant difference was observed in the population groups (men and women, younger and older adults, and those with more and fewer years of study). Thus, even with the possible regional differences in Brazilian state capitals, the presence of public spaces increases the practice of physical activity during leisure time, independent of sociodemographic variables.

Patterns of Objectively and Self-Reported Sedentary Behavior in Children and Adolescents Living With Human Immunodeficiency Virus: The PositHIVe Health Study.

PURPOSE: Sedentary behavior (SB) has been shown to be associated with unhealthy outcomes in children, and it is not clear whether children living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) engage in different patterns of SB compared with healthy children. This cross-sectional study aimed to compare patterns of SB between children living with HIV and a healthy control group. METHODS: A group of children with HIV and a paired control group wore accelerometers for 1 week and answered a questionnaire with items related to television viewing habits and computer usage. Accelerometer-derived and self-reported SB were compared between children living with HIV and controls and between treatment-based and viral load subgroups. RESULTS: A total of 130 children (of which 53% are girls with a mean age of 12.1 y) participated in the study with 65 in each group. Children in the control group exhibited significantly more objectively measured SB daily when compared with the HIV group (515 vs 490 min/d, respectively), but no differences were found between the treatment-based and viral load subgroups. Children with HIV watched more television on weekdays, compared with the control group (P < .05). No other differences were found in comparisons of self-reported SB between the control and HIV and the treatment-based or viral load subgroups. CONCLUSION: Children living with HIV spend less time being sedentary than those in the healthy control group. Future studies are important for clarifying the causes and consequences of these differences.

QSOX1, a novel actor of cardiac protection upon acute stress in mice.

QSOX1, a sulfhydryl oxidase, was shown to be upregulated in the heart upon acute heart failure (AHF). The aim of the study was to unravel QSOX1 roles during AHF. We generated and characterized mice with QSOX1 gene deletion. The QSOX1-/- mice were viable but adult male exhibited a silent dilated cardiomyopathy. The QSOX1-/- hearts were characterized by low protein SERCA2a levels associated with a calcium homeostasis alteration, high levels of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) chaperone proteins Grp78/Bip, and of the ER apoptosis sensor CHOP, indicating a chronic unfolded protein response (UPR). Importantly the QSOX1invalidation led to overexpression of two ER oxidases, ERO1-α and PRDX4. Acute stress was induced by isoproterenol injection (ISO, 300 mg/kg/12 h) for 2 days. In both groups, the PERK UPR pathway was transiently activated 6 h after the first ISO injection as indicated by eIF2 phosphorylation. By day-3 after the onset of stress, both WT and QSOX1-/- mice exhibited AHF profile but while high cardiac QSOX1 level was induced in WT hearts, ERO1-α and PRDX4 levels drop down in QSOX1-/-. At that time, QSOX1-/- hearts exhibited an enhanced inflammation (CD68+ cells and Galectin-3 expression) and oxidative stress (DHE staining and oxyblot) when compared to WT ones. In conclusion, the lack of QSOX1 promotes the upregulation of two ER oxidases ERO1α and PRDX4 that likely rescues oxidative protein folding in the hearts. However, signs of chronic ER stress remained present and were associated with a dilated cardiomyopathy. The superimposition of acute stress allowed us to propose that QSOX1 participate to the early response to cardiac stress but not to immediate UPR response. Taken altogether, the data indicated that QSOX1 is required 1) for a proper protein folding in the endo/sarcoplasmic reticulum (ER/SR) and 2) for resolution and protective response during acute stress.

Are adolescents really being sedentary or inactive when at school? An analysis of sedentary behaviour and physical activity bouts.

This study analysed physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour (SB) performed in bouts during schooltime. Adolescents of two schools answered a questionnaire, had their height and weight measured and wore accelerometers during schooltime. Moderate-to-vigorous intensity PA was estimated in bouts of 2, 5 and 10 min, and SB in bouts of 5, 10, 30 and 60 min. Body mass index was calculated, and adolescents were classified as overweight or normal weight. Frequency, duration and volume of PA and SB were calculated for the whole sample and for those who performed at least one bout weekly. PA and SB differences between gender and weight status were tested using Mann-Whitney and t tests. A total of 415 adolescents (54% girls, 12.3 ± 1.3 years old, 34.6% overweight) performed 0.1 (± 0.2), 0.2 (± 0.5) and 0.4 (± 0.6) bouts of 10, 5 and 2 min of PA, and 10.6 (± 2.0), 6.0 (± 1.3), 1.1 (± 0.9) and 0.4 (± 0.5) bouts/day of 5, 10, 30 and 60 min of SB, respectively. Boys accumulated less SB and more PA in bouts. No differences were found for weight status.Conclusion: Adolescents hardly engaged in bouted PA and accumulated more SB in smaller bouts during schooltime. Bouted PA and SB were not associated with weight status. What is Known: • Adolescents are not engaging in enough PA and are accumulating large volumes of SB, which might negatively impact their health. • Schools play an important role in daily overall PA, with opportunities such as PE classes and recesses. But most classes are still undertaken in seated positions. What is New: • Adolescents hardly engage in bouted (> 10 m) PA when at school., and most SB is accumulated in short bouts (≤ 10m). • Weight status was not associated with bouted PA or SB at school.

"For whom was it effective?" Moderators of the effect of a school-based intervention on potential physical activity determinants among Brazilian students.

Knowledge about the effects of school-based interventions on modifiable physical activity (PA) determinants (e.g., social support), and whether the intervention effect differs according to students' characteristics (e.g., age and gender) are relevant PA promotion topics. This study aims to answer these topics among Brazilian students. This cluster-randomized controlled trial was conducted with 548 students in the intervention group and 537 in the control group (51.5% of boys; aged 11-18years). The four-month intervention included strategies focused on training teachers, opportunities for PA in the school environment, and health education. Potential PA determinants (attitude, self-efficacy, support of friends, parents, and teachers, perceived neighborhood environment and PA facilities in school) and moderators (gender, age, socioeconomic status (SES), and PA level at baseline) were assessed using self-reported instrument. Height and weight were measured to estimate the students' body mass index (BMI) status. Generalized linear models were used. In general, there was a significant and positive intervention effect for attitude, support of friends and teachers for PA, as well as PA facilities in school; effect size was 0.29, 0.24, 0.34, and 0.29, respectively (P<0.05). Age (support of friends, parents and teachers, and PA facilities in school), SES (support of friends and PA facilities in school), and BMI status (support of friends) were moderators of the intervention effect on some outcomes. In conclusion, the intervention improved potential PA determinants, but some changes occurred differently according to students' characteristics. These findings should be considered in PA policies in the school context. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study is registered at Clinicaltrials.govNCT02439827.

Aerobic Fitness and Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity in Children and Adolescents Living with HIV.

PURPOSE: To examine aerobic fitness, total moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and also patterns in terms of MVPA between children and adolescents with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and controls, and to determine whether differences, if any, are associated with HIV, sex and highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). METHOD: A cross-sectional analysis was carried out with 130 children and adolescents, aged between 8 and 15 years, divided into two groups (HIV group= 65 patients, control group= 65 healthy participants). Total MVPA was measured by accelerometers and 5 and 10-min bouts were estimated. The peak oxygen uptake (peak VO2) was measured by breath-by-breath respiratory exchange in an incremental cycle ergometer test. RESULTS: HIV-positive participants had lower peak VO2 (39.2 ± 6.8 vs. 44.5 ± 9.1 ml.kg-1min-1), lower bouts of MVPA of 5-min (19.7 ± 16.6 vs. 26.6 ± 23.5) and 10-min (3.6 ± 3.9 vs. 5.8 ± 7.2), but similar total MVPA (49.5 ± 28.9 vs. 49.1 ± 30.6 min.day-1). HIV infection in untreated, nonprotease inhibitors (PI)- based HAART and PI-based HAART patients was associated with lower 8.5 (95%CI= 12.5-4.6), 7.1 (95%CI= 10.6-3.6) and 4.5 (95%CI= 7.0-2.0) ml.kg-1min-1 of peak VO2. CONCLUSION: Children and adolescents with HIV demonstrated lower aerobic fitness compared with the controls and the absence of HAART may increase peak VO2 impairment. Lower bouts of MVPA were also observed in HIV group despite the similar values of total MVPA of controls.

Moderating effect of gross family income on the association between demographic indicators and active commuting to work in Brazilian adults.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the moderating effect of gross family income on the association between demographic indicators and active commuting to work in Brazilian adults. METHODS: Secondary analysis of the survey "Lifestyle and leisure habits of industry workers" (n=46,981), conducted in 24 Brazilian states (2006-2008). Self-reported information was collected with a previously tested questionnaire. Crude and adjusted logistic regression models were applied to analyze the association between sociodemographic variables (sex, age, marital status, number of children, education, country area and company size) and active commuting to work in different strata of gross family income. To test the moderating effect, an interaction analysis was applied. RESULTS: The proportion of active commuters among low-, medium- and high-income workers was 40.7% (95%CI:40.0%;41.5%), 27.0% (95%CI:26.3;27.6%) and 11.1%, (95%CI:10.5%;11.7%), respectively. The moderating effect of gross family income was confirmed. Men were more likely (OR:1.22 95%CI:1.12;1.32) to commute actively than women among low-income individuals. Active commuting was less likely among older workers in low-(OR30-39:0.90 95%CI: 0.83;0.98; OR≥40: 0.76 95%CI: 0.68;0.85) and medium-income strata (OR30-39:0.87 95%CI:0.80;0.95; OR≥40:0.84 95%CI:0.76;0.93) and among married individuals in high-income strata (OR:0.72 95%IC:0.61;0.84). Adults with lower education (ORhigh:10.80 95%CI:8.47;13.77), working in the south (ORhigh:1.93 95%CI:1.53;2.44) and in small companies (ORlow:2.50 95%CI:2.28;2.74) were more likely to commute actively; however, the magnitude of these associations differed at each income strata. CONCLUSION: There was an inverse association between gross family income and active commuting. Gross family income acts as a moderator of the association between demographic indicators and active commuting.

Communities of endophytic microorganisms in different developmental stages from a local variety as well as transgenic and conventional isogenic hybrids of maize.

The diversity of endophytic microorganisms may change due to the genotype of the host plant and its phenological stage. In this study we evaluated the effect of phenological stage, transgenes and genetic composition of maize on endophytic bacterial and fungal communities. The maize populations were composed of a local variety named Rosado (RS) and three isogenic hybrids. One isogenic hybrid was not genetically modified (NGM). Another hybrid (Hx) contained the transgenes cry1F and pat (T1507 event), which provide resistance to insects of the order Lepidoptera and tolerance to the glufosinate-ammonium herbicide, respectively. The third hybrid (Hxrr) contained the transgene cp4 epsps (NK603 event) combined with the transgenes cry1F and pat (T1507 event), which allow tolerance to the Roundup Ready herbicide, besides the characteristics of Hx. Evaluation of the foliar tissue was done through PCR-DGGE analysis, with specific primers for bacteria and fungi within four phenological stages of maize. The endophytic bacteria were only clustered by phenological stages; the structure of the fungal community was clustered by maize genotypes in each phenological stage. The fungal community from the local variety RS was different from the three hybrids (NGM, Hx and Hxrr) within the four evaluated stages. In the reproductive stage, the fungal community from the two transgenic hybrids (Hx and Hxrr) were separated, and the Hxrr was different from NGM, in the two field experiments. This research study showed that the genetic composition of the maize populations, especially the presence of transgenes, is the determining factor for the changes detected in the endophytic fungal community of maize leaves.

The Vocal Quality of the Sender is Able to Influence the Cognitive Performance and Cortisol Level of the Listener.

OBJECTIVE: To verify the influence of the sender's vocal quality on performance in cognitive tests and on the receiver's cortisol level. STUDY DESIGN: Observational, cross-sectional, and analytical study. METHODS: Four voices were selected to represent adapted voice (AdV), and rough voice of discreet degree (DV), moderate (MV), and intense (IV). These participants recorded the stimuli used in the attention and memory tests, which included 139 undergraduate students as receivers. Saliva was collected from recipients for cortisol assessment one minute before and after 15, 30 and 45 minutes of the cognitive assessment. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were identified between the groups in the repetition test, with worse results in IV. Cortisol increased significantly in the MV group when compared with the other groups after 15 minutes of the cognitive test. CONCLUSIONS: Emitters' rough voices can negatively influence performance in cognitive tests that require attention and working memory and leads to a short-term increase in the receiver's cortisol levels.

Demographic, socioeconomic, and health structure factors associated with the use of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis in Brazil: A nationwide ecological study.

Aims: To assess the cumulative rate of HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) users in Brazil since its 2018 implementation and to analyze the association between PrEP usage and state-level structural factors. Methods: A nationwide ecological study from 2018 to 2022 was conducted, examining the 5-year cumulative rate of PrEP users in relation to demographic, socioeconomic, and healthcare infrastructure variables. Multiple linear regression analysis identified significant predictors of PrEP utilization. Results: Between 2018 and 2022, 124,796 individuals used PrEP, with a cumulative rate of 61.5 per 100,000 population. The highest usage was in Minas Gerais, São Paulo, and Santa Catarina, while the lowest was in Distrito Federal, Maranhão, and Alagoas. Regression analysis showed that higher PrEP usage was associated with lower population density, a younger median age, a lower male to female ratio, and reduced social vulnerability. Additionally, PrEP usage was positively associated with the density of medical doctors and the number of dispensing units. Conclusions: The study reveals significant regional disparities in PrEP usage across Brazil, influenced by socioeconomic and healthcare factors. It highlights the need for targeted public health strategies to enhance PrEP access and uptake, especially in socially vulnerable regions.