Method optimization for the extraction of chlorogenic acids from coffee parchment: An ecofriendly alternative.

One of the principal byproducts of coffee roasting is the coffee parchment. It is abundant in bioactive substances, including derivatives of chlorogenic acids, which are well-known for their exceptional antioxidant effects. It is advantageous to use environmentally friendly extraction techniques on such residues since it adds value to the entire coffee production process supply chain. The aim of this work was to assess and enhance the ability of non-conventional extraction techniques to extract derivatives of chlorogenic acid from coffee parchment. A central composite design was used to maximize the recovery of those phenolic compounds. The optimized extraction conditions were with 5 min extraction period, at a temperature of 70 °C, and 80% ethanol in the extractor solvent. In this conditions extraction recovery of chlorogenic acids was of 0.8% by the use of microwave-aided extraction (MAE). The optimized conditions are practical, economical, and ecologically friendly method to extract phenolic compounds and, consequently, underscores the potential for sustainable utilization of coffee parchment, offering a valuable contribution to the development of environmentally conscious strategies within the coffee industry.

Ophthalmic Manifestations of Monkeypox Virus Infection: A Cases Series.

This retrospective case series aims to describe the ophthalmic manifestations of the Monkeypox virus infection in seven patients evaluated in two countries of South America (Colombia and Brazil). Two had skin lesions in the eyelid, and five had conjunctivitis. None had intraocular involvement. Three of seven patients had a history of Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection, and all patients had lesions in the genital region, suggesting sexual-contact transmission. In 6 of 7 cases, conjunctival RT-PCR was positive for the Monkeypox virus, including one case without conjunctival vesicles. In all cases, lesions resolved without complications, and just two required antiviral treatment. All patients demonstrated improvement without complications. RT-PCR positivity in conjunctiva demonstrated the presence of the Monkeypox virus, suggesting that ocular-mediated transmission could be plausible. Ophthalmologists should be aware of this ophthalmic manifestation.

Monkeypox Infection Causing Conjunctival Vesicles and Anterior Uveitis.

Human monkeypox is a zoonosis caused by an orthopoxvirus and the clinical presentation resembles that of smallpox and chickenpox. The disease may start with a prodrome that includes lymphadenopathy, headache, fatigue, and fever, followed by a vesiculo-pustular rash. Ocular manifestations such as conjunctivitis and edema are present in approximately 20% of affected people, with a greater incidence among unvaccinated patients. Corneal involvement has also been reported and can result in corneal scarring and severe forms of keratitis. The natural course of the disease is most often benign and self-limiting, however, in some individuals, especially immunocompromised patients, there is a risk of complications such as bronchopneumonia, encephalitis, and vision loss. Herein, we present a case of a patient with monkeypox which caused conjunctival vesicles and anterior uveitis.

Microbiota associated with peri-implantitis-A systematic review with meta-analyses.

AIM: To answer the following PECO question: "In systemically healthy human subjects (P), which are the differences between peri-implantitis (E) and peri-implant health/mucositis (C) in terms of bacterial presence/count (O)?" MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional studies fulfilling specific inclusion criteria established to answer the PECO question were included. Two review authors independently searched for studies, screened the titles and abstracts, did full-text analysis, extracted the data from the included reports, and performed the risk of bias assessment through an adaptation of the Newcastle/Ottawa tool for cross-sectional studies and of the JBI critical appraisal checklist. In case of disagreement, a third reviewer author took the final decision. Study results were summarized using random effects meta-analyses. RESULTS: A total of 12 studies were included, involving 1233 participants and 1513 implants. Peri-implantitis was associated with the presence of S. epidermidis (Odds ratio, OR = 10.28 [95% Confidence interval, CI: 1.26-83.98]), F. nucleatum (OR = 7.83 [95% CI: 2.24-27.36]), T. denticola (OR = 6.11 [95% CI: 2.72-13.76]), T. forsythia (OR = 4.25 [95% CI: 1.71-10.57]), P. intermedia (OR = 3.79 [95% CI: 1.07-13.35]), and P. gingivalis (OR = 2.46 [95% CI: 1.21-5.00]). Conversely, the presence of A. actinomycetemcomitans (OR = 3.82 [95% CI: 0.59-24.68]), S. aureus (OR = 1.05 [95% CI: 0.06-17.08]), and C. rectus (OR = 1.48 [95% CI: 0.69-3.17]) was not associated with peri-implantitis. CONCLUSIONS: Peri-implantitis is associated with the presence of S. epidermidis and specific periodontopathogens (P. gingivalis, T. forsythia, T. denticola, F. nucleatum, and P. intermedia). (CRD42021254589).

Metabolic Adaptations Correlated with Antibody Response after Immunization with Inactivated SARS-CoV-2 in Brazilian Subjects.

The adsorbed vaccine SARS-CoV-2 (inactivated) produced by Sinovac (SV) was the first vaccine against COVID-19 to be used in Brazil. To understand the metabolic effects of SV in Brazilian subjects, NMR-based metabolomics was used, and the immune response was studied in Brazilian subjects. Forty adults without (group-, n = 23) and with previous COVID-19 infection (group+, n = 17) were followed-up for 90 days postcompletion of the vaccine regimen. After 90 days, our results showed that subjects had increased levels of lipoproteins, lipids, and N-acetylation of glycoproteins (NAG) as well as decreased levels of amino acids, lactate, citrate, and 3-hydroxypropionate. NAG and threonine were the highest correlated metabolites with N and S proteins, and neutralizing Ab levels. This study sheds light on the immunometabolism associated with the use of SV in Brazilian subjects from Rio de Janeiro and identifies potential metabolic markers associated with the immune status.

Semaphorin 4B is an ADAM17-cleaved adipokine that inhibits adipocyte differentiation and thermogenesis.

OBJECTIVE: The metalloprotease ADAM17 (also called TACE) plays fundamental roles in homeostasis by shedding key signaling molecules from the cell surface. Although its importance for the immune system and epithelial tissues is well-documented, little is known about the role of ADAM17 in metabolic homeostasis. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of ADAM17 expression, specifically in adipose tissues, on metabolic homeostasis. METHODS: We used histopathology, molecular, proteomic, transcriptomic, in vivo integrative physiological and ex vivo biochemical approaches to determine the impact of adipose tissue-specific deletion of ADAM17 upon adipocyte and whole organism metabolic physiology. RESULTS: ADAM17adipoq-creΔ/Δ mice exhibited a hypermetabolic phenotype characterized by elevated energy consumption and increased levels of adipocyte thermogenic gene expression. On a high fat diet, these mice were more thermogenic, while exhibiting elevated expression levels of genes associated with lipid oxidation and lipolysis. This hypermetabolic phenotype protected mutant mice from obesogenic challenge, limiting weight gain, hepatosteatosis and insulin resistance. Activation of beta-adrenoceptors by the neurotransmitter norepinephrine, a key regulator of adipocyte physiology, triggered the shedding of ADAM17 substrates, and regulated ADAM17 expression at the mRNA and protein levels, hence identifying a functional connection between thermogenic licensing and the regulation of ADAM17. Proteomic studies identified Semaphorin 4B (SEMA4B), as a novel ADAM17-shed adipokine, whose expression is regulated by physiological thermogenic cues, that acts to inhibit adipocyte differentiation and dampen thermogenic responses in adipocytes. Transcriptomic data showed that cleaved SEMA4B acts in an autocrine manner in brown adipocytes to repress the expression of genes involved in adipogenesis, thermogenesis, and lipid uptake, storage and catabolism. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings identify a novel ADAM17-dependent axis, regulated by beta-adrenoceptors and mediated by the ADAM17-cleaved form of SEMA4B, that modulates energy balance in adipocytes by inhibiting adipocyte differentiation, thermogenesis and lipid catabolism.

Risk factors for recurrences and visual impairment in patients with ocular toxoplasmosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Ocular toxoplasmosis (OT) is caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. OT is the leading cause of posterior uveitis globally; it is a recurrent disease that may result in visual impairment and blindness. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to summarize and evaluate the risk factors for recurrences, visual impairment, and blindness described in the literature worldwide. METHODS AND FINDINGS: We performed a systematic literature search in PubMed, Embase, VHL, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and DANS EASY Archive. All studies reporting patients with clinically and serologically confirmed OT presenting any clinical or paraclinical factor influencing recurrences, visual impairment, and blindness were included. Studies presenting secondary data, case reports, and case series were excluded. An initial selection was made by title and abstract, and then the studies were reviewed by full text where the eligible studies were selected. Then, the risk of bias was assessed through validated tools. Data were extracted using a validated extraction format. Qualitative synthesis and quantitative analysis were done. This study was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42022327836). RESULTS: Seventy two studies met the inclusion criteria. Fifty-three were summarized in the qualitative synthesis in three sections: clinical and environmental factors, parasite and host factors, and treatment-related factors. Of the 72 articles, 39 were included in the meta-analysis, of which 14 were conducted in South America, 13 in Europe, four in Asia, three multinational, two in North America and Central America, respectively, and only one in Africa. A total of 4,200 patients with OT were analyzed, mean age ranged from 7.3 to 65.1 year of age, with similar distribution by sex. The frequency of recurrences in patients with OT was 49% (95% CI 40%-58%), being more frequent in the South American population than in Europeans. Additionally, visual impairment was presented in 35% (95% CI 25%-48%) and blindness in 20% (95% CI 13%-30%) of eyes, with a similar predominance in South Americans than in Europeans. On the other hand, having lesions near the macula or adjacent to the optic nerve had an OR of 4.83 (95% CI; 2.72-8.59) for blindness, similar to having more than one recurrence that had an OR of 3.18 (95% CI; 1.59-6.38). Finally, the prophylactic therapy with Trimethoprim/Sulfamethoxazole versus the placebo showed a protective factor of 83% during the first year and 87% in the second year after treatment. CONCLUSION: Our Systematic Review showed that clinical factors such as being older than 40 years, patients with de novo OT lesions or with less than one year after the first episode, macular area involvement, lesions greater than 1 disc diameter, congenital toxoplasmosis, and bilateral compromise had more risk of recurrences. Also, environmental and parasite factors such as precipitations, geographical region where the infection is acquired, and more virulent strains confer greater risk of recurrences. Therefore, patients with the above mentioned clinical, environmental, and parasite factors could benefit from using prophylactic therapy.

Optical coherence tomography findings in fungal uveitis.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to describe the vitreal, retinal, and choroidal features of eyes affected by endogenous endophthalmitis (EE) and evaluate the effects of systemic antifungal drug treatment and pars plana vitrectomy by using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). METHODS: Medical records and SD-OCT images of eyes diagnosed with EE at a single uveitis tertiary referral center in Brazil were acquired at the time of diagnosis, after 7 days of high-dose antifungal drug treatment, and at follow-up assessments performed 30 days after resolution. RESULTS: Thirteen eyes were enrolled in the study. All patients showed hyperreflective round-shaped lesions on SD-OCT and pre-retinal aggregates. Five eyes responded to antifungal systemic oral drugs despite showing vitreous opacity. The response to treatment was observable on optical coherence tomography (OCT) images. CONCLUSION: Fungal endophthalmitis showed typical features on SD-OCT, facilitating early diagnosis and treatment despite the absence of vitreous culture or biopsy. This study suggests that OCT images can be used to support diagnosis by physicians who do not have access to vitreoretinal surgery.

The ADAM17 sheddase complex regulator iTAP/Frmd8 modulates inflammation and tumor growth.

The metalloprotease ADAM17 is a sheddase of key molecules, including TNF and epidermal growth factor receptor ligands. ADAM17 exists within an assemblage, the "sheddase complex," containing a rhomboid pseudoprotease (iRhom1 or iRhom2). iRhoms control multiple aspects of ADAM17 biology. The FERM domain-containing protein iTAP/Frmd8 is an iRhom-binding protein that prevents the precocious shunting of ADAM17 and iRhom2 to lysosomes and their consequent degradation. As pathophysiological role(s) of iTAP/Frmd8 have not been addressed, we characterized the impact of iTAP/Frmd8 loss on ADAM17-associated phenotypes in mice. We show that iTAP/Frmd8 KO mice exhibit defects in inflammatory and intestinal epithelial barrier repair functions, but not the collateral defects associated with global ADAM17 loss. Furthermore, we show that iTAP/Frmd8 regulates cancer cell growth in a cell-autonomous manner and by modulating the tumor microenvironment. Our work suggests that pharmacological intervention at the level of iTAP/Frmd8 may be beneficial to target ADAM17 activity in specific compartments during chronic inflammatory diseases or cancer, while avoiding the collateral impact on the vital functions associated with the widespread inhibition of ADAM17.

Bilateral Ampiginous Choroiditis following Confirmed SARS-CoV-2 Infection.

INTRODUCTION: Ampiginous Choroiditis is a rare posterior uveitis that combines clinical features of Acute Multifocal Posterior Placoid Pigment Epitheliopathy and Serpiginous Chorioretinitis. Its pathophysiology is poorly understood and further studies are necessary to understand which mechanisms start the immunologic reaction. CASE REPORT: The purpose of this article is to report a well-documented case of Ampiginous Choroiditis following in seven days a RT-PCR confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, suggesting that the infection might have contributed as a trigger. CONCLUSION: Timely diagnosis and correct treatment are paramount to improve the visual outcomes, and the patient had successful response to systemic steroids.

Estado nutricional avaliado pela mini avaliação nutricional como fator prognóstico de mortalidade em pacientes idosos com câncer / Nutritional status assessed by the mini nutritional assessment as a prognostic factor for mortality in elderly patients with cancer

Introdução: A desnutrição em pacientes idosos com câncer pode aumentar a mortalidade, o tempo de internação hospitalar, piorar a qualidade de vida, bem como reduzir tolerância à terapia oncológica e aumento da toxicidade relacionada à terapia. A ferramenta mini avaliação nutricional (MAN) é prática e não invasiva, permitindo avaliação rápida do estado nutricional de idosos. Na versão reduzida da MAN (MAN-VR), quando há ausência do índice de massa corporal (IMC), utiliza-se a circunferência da panturrilha (CP < 31 cm). No Brasil, a circunferência da panturrilha (CPBR) possui ponto de corte para homens (CPBR ≤ 34 cm) e para mulheres (CPBR e ≤33 cm). Objetivo: Avaliar a MAN-VR como preditora de risco de morte em idosos com câncer. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo multicêntrico, descritivo e prospectivo, em que foram incluídos todos os pacientes idosos do sexo feminino ou masculino, com 60 anos ou mais, portadores de tumores malignos, independentemente de localização ou estadiamento da doença, internados nas instituições brasileiras e portuguesas durante o período de setembro a dezembro de 2014. Resultados: Foram avaliados 2677 pacientes idosos com câncer, sendo 56,4% do sexo masculino. A média da idade foi de 73 ± 6,7 anos. Os pacientes apresentaram como principais localizações do tumor o aparelho digestório, próstata e pele (56,9%) e 9% foram ao óbito durante o tempo de internação e acompanhamento do estudo. Foram testados quatro modelos de MAN-VR para predizer mortalidade na população idosa com câncer. As áreas dos modelos sobre a curva ROC variaram de 0,79 a 0,80, sendo que a referência foi o modelo original (MAN-VRIMC/CP). A análise estatística mostrou curvas semelhantes, mas com diferença significativa para o modelo MAN-VRIMC/CPBR (classificação da MAN-VR, em que se utilizou a pontuação do IMC ou da CPBR). No modelo ajustado, houve maior chance de óbito entre os pacientes idosos com "perda de apetite grave", "mobilidade reduzida" (sendo maior naquele "restrito ao leito") e com "problemas neuropsicológicos". Ao considerar o escore da MAN-VR, pacientes com escore inferior a 8 em sua versão original (MAN-VRIMC/CP) ou com o uso MAN-VRIMC/CPBR, apresentaram maior risco de morte. Mostrou, também, que a MAN-VR pode ser usada para identificar risco de mortalidade com o escore menor que 6, sem considerar a pontuação para antropometria (IMC ou CP). Conclusão: O modelo MAN-VRIMC/CPBR proposto se mostrou como melhor preditor para mortalidade em idosos com câncer. A MAN-VR foi capaz de predizer risco de óbito, mesmo não mensurando IMC ou CP, enquanto a adição de antropometria não melhorou o reconhecimento de desnutrição ou risco de mortalidade em pacientes idosos com câncer.

Introduction: Malnutrition in older patients can increase mortality, length of hospital stay, worsen quality of life, as well as reduce tolerance to oncologic therapy and increase therapyrelated toxicity. The mini nutritional assessment (MNA) tool is practical and non-invasive, allowing a quick assessment of the nutritional status of the older patients. The mini nutritional assessment (MNA) tool is practical and non-invasive, allowing a quick assessment of the nutritional status of the elderly. In the short form of the MNA (MNA-SF), when there is no body mass index (BMI), calf compression is used (CC < 31 cm). In Brazil, the calf circumference (CCBR) has a cutoff point for men (CCBR ≤ 34 cm) and for women (CCBR e ≤33 cm). Objective: To evaluate MNA-SF as a predictor of risk of death in older patients with cancer. Methods: This is a multicenter, descriptive, and prospective study, which included all older female or male patients, aged 60 years or older, with malignant tumors, regardless of location or stage of the disease, hospitalized in Brazilian/Portuguese institutions from September to December 2014. Results: We evaluated 2677 older patients with cancer, 56.4% of whom were male. The mean age was 73 ± 6.7 years. The patients had the digestive system, prostate and skin as the main tumor locations (56.9%) and 9% died during the period of hospitalization and follow-up of the study. Four MNA-SF models were tested to predict mortality in the older patients with cancer. The areas of the models on the ROC analyzes ranged from 0.79 to 0.80, with the reference being the original model (MNA-SFBMI/CC). Statistical analysis showed similar curves, but with a significant difference for the MNA-SFIMC/CCBR model (MNA-SF classification, where BMI or CCBR scores were used). In the adjusted model, there was a greater chance of death among older patients with "severe loss of appetite", "reduced mobility" (being greater in those "restricted to bed") and with "neuropsychological problems". When considering the MNA-SF scores, patients with a score lower than eight in its original version (MNA-SFBMI/CC) or using MNA-SFBMI/CCBR, had a higher risk of death. It also showed that the MNA-SF could be used to identify risk of mortality with a score lower than six, without considering the score for anthropometry (BMI or CC). Conclusion: The proposed MNA-SFBMI/CCBR model proved to be the best predictor of mortality in older patients with cancer. The MNA-SF was able to predict risk of death, even without measuring BMI or CC, while the addition of anthropometry did not improve the recognition of malnutrition or mortality risk in older patients with cancer.

O cuidado paterno ao filho hospitalizado segundo a percepção de profissionais e familiares: protocolo scoping review / Paternal care of hospitalized children according to the perception of professionals and family members: scoping review protocol / El cuidado paterno de los niños hospitalizados según la percepción de profesionales y familiares: protocolo de revisión

Introdução: O conceito de paternidade e parentalidade tem mudado ao longo do tempo, com uma visão mais inclusiva e ativa da figura paterna. No entanto, ainda existem barreiras políticas, sociais e educacionais que limitam o envolvimento dos pais nos cuidados com os filhos, inclusive durante a hospitalização. A participação paterna durante a internação é essencial para o desenvolvimento saudável da criança, e os profissionais de saúde têm um papel fundamental nesse processo. Objetivo: Apresentar um protocolo de revisão de escopo para mapear e descrever os estudos existentes na literatura sobre qual o papel do pai no cuidado ao filho hospitalizado para os profissionais de saúde e familiares Método: Protocolo de scoping review fundamentado pelo Joanna Briggs Institute. Pretende responder à seguinte questão: fundamentada pela estratégia População-Conceito-Contexto (PCC): Quais estudos disponíveis na literatura sobre o papel do pai no cuidado a criança hospitalizada para profissionais de saúde e familiares? Serão incluídos estudos que respondam à pergunta de pesquisa, disponíveis na íntegra, sem delimitação temporal nos idiomas, inglês, português e espanhol. Resultados: A descrição dos achados ocorrerá de forma descritiva, por meio de um quadro, no qual estarão os principais resultados de cada estudo incluído. Considerações finais: Este protocolo norteará o desenvolvimento da revisão de escopo para descrição das evidencias disponíveis acerca do papel do pai no cuidado ao filho hospitalizado para os familiares e profissionais de saúde.

Introduction: The concept of fatherhood and parenthood has changed over time, with a more inclusive and active view of the father figure. However, there are still political, social, and educational barriers that limit fathers' involvement in childcare, including during hospitalization. Father's participation during hospitalization is essential for the healthy development of the child, and healthcare professionals have a fundamental role in this process. Objective: To present a scoping review protocol to map and describe existing studies in the literature on the role of fathers in caring for hospitalized children for healthcare professionals and families. Method: Scoping review protocol based on the Joanna Briggs Institute. It aims to answer the following question, based on the Population- Concept-Context (PCC) strategy: What studies are available in the literature on the role of fathers in caring for hospitalized children for healthcare professionals and families? Studies that answer the research question, available in full, with no temporal limitation in English, Portuguese, and Spanish, will be included. Results: The findings will be described descriptively through a table containing the main results of each included study. Conclusion: This protocol will guide the development of the scoping review to describe the available evidence on the role of fathers in caring for hospitalized children for healthcare professionals and families.

Introducción: El concepto de paternidad y parentalidad ha cambiado a lo largo del tiempo, con una visión más inclusiva y activa de la figura paterna. Sin embargo, todavía existen barreras políticas, sociales y educativas que limitan la participación de los padres en el cuidado de los hijos, incluso durante la hospitalización. La participación del padre durante la hospitalización es esencial para el desarrollo saludable del niño, y los profesionales sanitarios tienen un papel fundamental en este proceso. Objetivo: Presentar un protocolo de revisión exploratoria para mapear y describir los estudios existentes en la literatura sobre el papel de los padres en el cuidado de los niños hospitalizados para los profesionales de la salud y las familias. Método: Protocolo de revisión scoping basado en el Instituto Joanna Briggs. Pretende responder a la siguiente pregunta, basada en la estrategia Población-Concepto-Contexto (PCC): ¿Qué estudios están disponibles en la literatura sobre el papel de los padres en el cuidado de los niños hospitalizados para los profesionales sanitarios y las familias? Se incluirán los estudios que respondan a la pregunta de investigación, disponibles en su totalidad, sin limitación temporal en inglés, portugués y español. Resultados: Los hallazgos se describirán descriptivamente a través de una tabla que contendrá los principales resultados de cada estudio incluido. Conclusiones: Este protocolo guiará el desarrollo de la revisión exploratoria para describir la evidencia disponible sobre el papel de los padres en el cuidado de los niños hospitalizados para los profesionales de la salud y las familias.

Experiencias de madres con accidentes domésticos infantiles: consideraciones a la luz del Modelo de Adaptación de Roy / Mothers’ experiences with domestic accidents in children: considerations in the light of Roy’s Adaptation Model

Objetivo principal: Describir las experiencias de las madres que vivieron accidentes domésticos que involucraron a sus hijos, a la luz del Modelo de Adaptación de Roy. Método: Estudio cualitativo. Los datos fueron recolectados a través de entrevistas y sometidos a la técnica de análisis de contenido. Se utilizó como marco teórico el Modelo de Adaptación de Roy. Resultados principales: Participaron 17 madres, cuyos discursos fueron agrupados en tres categorías: enfrentar el desafío de salvar la vida de su hijo; reconocer el momento de (falta de) cuidado de su hijo; y aprender de sus errores. Conclusión principal: Se identificaron madres con dificultades para reconocer sus errores y posibles negligencias, que les atribuyeron la responsabilidad del accidente al hijo. Los enfermeros, cuando basan su práctica clínica en el Modelo de Adaptación de Roy, deben prestarles atención a las necesidades emocionales de los sistemas adaptativos de los involucrados.(AU)

Objective: To describe the experiences of mothers who underwent domestic accidents involving their children, in the light of Roy's Adaptation Model. Method: A qualitative study. The data were collected in the participants' homes through semi-structured interviews and submitted to the content analysis technique. Roy's Adaptation Model was used as theoretical framework. Main results: The study participants were 17 mothers, whose testimonies were grouped into three thematic categories: Facing the challenge of saving their child's life; Recognizing the moment of (lack of) care with their child; and Learning from their own mistakes. Main conclusion: Mothers with difficulties recognizing their mistakes and possible negligence were identified, attributing responsibility for the accident to their own child. When adopting Roy's Adaptation Model to anchor their clinical practice, nurses must be aware of the emotional needs of the adaptive systems of those involved.(AU)

Phylodynamic analysis of SARS-CoV-2 spread in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, highlights how metropolitan areas act as dispersal hubs for new variants.

During the first semester of 2021, all of Brazil has suffered an intense wave of COVID-19 associated with the Gamma variant. In July, the first cases of Delta variant were detected in the state of Rio de Janeiro. In this work, we have employed phylodynamic methods to analyse more than 1 600 genomic sequences of Delta variant collected until September in Rio de Janeiro to reconstruct how this variant has surpassed Gamma and dispersed throughout the state. After the introduction of Delta, it has initially spread mostly in the homonymous city of Rio de Janeiro, the most populous of the state. In a second stage, dispersal occurred to mid- and long-range cities, which acted as new close-range hubs for spread. We observed that the substitution of Gamma by Delta was possibly caused by its higher viral load, a proxy for transmissibility. This variant turnover prompted a new surge in cases, but with lower lethality than was observed during the peak caused by Gamma. We reason that high vaccination rates in the state of Rio de Janeiro were possibly what prevented a higher number of deaths.