A Cross Sectional Study on the Bidirectional Interactions Between Leptospirosis and HIV Infection Among Patients from Maputo Central Hospital, Mozambique.

Introduction: This study aims to determine the baseline seroprevalence of leptospirosis, a zoonotic and neglected disease, in people living with HIV (PWH) in Maputo, Mozambique, and to evaluate the relationship between selected HIV-related factors that might influence risk of coinfection with leptospirosis, such as degree of immunosuppression, as assessed by CD4 cell count, World Health Organization (WHO) HIV/AIDS clinical stage and antiretroviral therapy (ART) intake. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional analysis of 157 PWH, aged over 18 years old, admitted to the Maputo Central Hospital, in Maputo, Mozambique, between March 2020 and October 2021. The study participants were recruited as a convenience sample regardless of the reasons for their admission. We collected sociodemographic and clinical data, including ART and WHO HIV/AIDS clinical stage, and blood for CD4 cell count and detection of Leptospira IgG antibodies using a commercial Kit ab247199 Leptospira IgG ELISA (www.abcam.com/ab247199) with sensitivity and specificity of 100% and 97.3%, respectively. Laboratory testing was performed at the Faculty of Medicine, Eduardo Mondlane University and Laboratory of Clinical Analysis, in Maputo. Results: Participants were aged 18 to 72 years (median age 39 years; SD ± 10.5), the majority were female 100 (63.7%), from urban areas 138 (87.9%), with secondary-level education 80 (51%). The overall seroprevalence of Leptospira IgG antibodies was 40.1%. The median CD4 cell count was 385 cells/µl (02 to 2297; SD ± 378.47). Higher seroprevalence of Leptospira antibodies was found among participants with CD4 cell counts <250 cells/µl (54.8%), WHO HIV/AIDS stage IV (70.2%) and those on ART (92%), though there were no statistically significant differences between groups with and without Leptospira antibodies. Conclusion: Our study confirmed that Leptospira antibodies are highly prevalent in PWH in Maputo; however, Leptospira infection was not associated with the degree of immunosuppression, WHO HIV/AIDS clinical stage, or the use of ART. Our data support the need for routine screening for leptospirosis in PWH in Mozambique. Future studies are warranted to characterize the incidence and outcomes of symptomatic leptospirosis in this patient population and to identify circulating serovars and species in the country and region, as well as the implicated reservoirs.

Alfabetización en medios para promover la satisfacción corporal y la alimentación saludable en adolescentes / Media literacy to promote body satisfaction and healthy eating in adolescents

Resumen Este estudio evaluó la eficacia de un programa de alfabetización en medios (AM) para promover la satisfacción corporal y la alimentación saludable en adolescentes de 12 a 15 años de edad. Es un estudio cuantitativo, cuasiexperimental y longitudinal, con preprueba y postprueba. Participaron 30 mujeres adolescentes de 12-15 años de edad, asignadas aleatoriamente a una de dos condiciones: programa de AM (n = 16) y grupo control en lista de espera (n = 14). Las participantes completaron, en preprueba y postprueba, el Cuestionario de Actitudes hacia la Apariencia Física (SATAQ-3), el Cuestionario de Evitación de la Imagen Corporal (BIAQ) y el Cuestionario de Comportamiento Alimentario (CCA). Hubo una disminución en las puntuaciones obtenidas por el grupo con intervención. Las participantes reportaron comparar menos su cuerpo con relación al cuerpo de las personas que son atléticas (F = 4.17, p = .05), las participantes también consideraron, al finalizar la intervención, que las personas famosas no son una fuente importante de información sobre la moda y sobre cómo ser atractiva (F = 6.87, p = .01). Los programas de AM son herramientas socioeducativas útiles para prevenir la insatisfacción corporal y los comportamientos alimentarios de riesgo, así como para promover conductas saludables.

Abstract This study evaluated the effectiveness of a media literacy (ML) program to promote body satisfaction and healthy eating in adolescents from 12 to 15 years old. The study is quantitative, quasi-experimental and longitudinal study, with pre-test and final post-test. Participated 30 female adolescents aged from 12 to 15 years old, randomly assigned to one of two conditions: ML program (n = 16) and control group on the waiting list (n = 14), who answered the Attitudes to the Physical Appearance Questionnaire (SATAQ-3), the Body Image Avoidance Questionnaire (BIAQ) and the Eating Behavior Questionnaire (CCA). The participants reported comparing their body less with respect to the body of people who are athletic (F = 4.17, p = .05), the participants also considered, at the end of the intervention, that famous people are not an important source of information about fashion and how to be attractive (F = 6.87, p = .01). ML programs are useful socio-educational tools to prevent problems such as dissatisfaction with body image and risky eating behaviors, or to promote healthy behaviors.

Synthesis and direct assay of large macrocycle diversities by combinatorial late-stage modification at picomole scale.

Macrocycles have excellent potential as therapeutics due to their ability to bind challenging targets. However, generating macrocycles against new targets is hindered by a lack of large macrocycle libraries for high-throughput screening. To overcome this, we herein established a combinatorial approach by tethering a myriad of chemical fragments to peripheral groups of structurally diverse macrocyclic scaffolds in a combinatorial fashion, all at a picomole scale in nanoliter volumes using acoustic droplet ejection technology. In a proof-of-concept, we generate a target-tailored library of 19,968 macrocycles by conjugating 104 carboxylic-acid fragments to 192 macrocyclic scaffolds. The high reaction efficiency and small number of side products of the acylation reactions allowed direct assay without purification and thus a large throughput. In screens, we identify nanomolar inhibitors against thrombin (Ki = 44 ± 1 nM) and the MDM2:p53 protein-protein interaction (Kd MDM2 = 43 ± 18 nM). The increased efficiency of macrocycle synthesis and screening and general applicability of this approach unlocks possibilities for generating leads against any protein target.

Collective Effervescence, Self-Transcendence, and Gender Differences in Social Well-Being During 8 March Demonstrations.

8 March (8M), now known as International Women's Day, is a day for feminist claims where demonstrations are organized in over 150 countries, with the participation of millions of women all around the world. These demonstrations can be viewed as collective rituals and thus focus attention on the processes that facilitate different psychosocial effects. This work aims to explore the mechanisms (i.e., behavioral and attentional synchrony, perceived emotional synchrony, and positive and transcendent emotions) involved in participation in the demonstrations of 8 March 2020, collective and ritualized feminist actions, and their correlates associated with personal well-being (i.e., affective well-being and beliefs of personal growth) and collective well-being (i.e., social integration variables: situated identity, solidarity and fusion), collective efficacy and collective growth, and behavioral intention to support the fight for women's rights. To this end, a cross-cultural study was conducted with the participation of 2,854 people (age 18-79; M = 30.55; SD = 11.66) from countries in Latin America (Mexico, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Peru, Colombia, and Ecuador) and Europe (Spain and Portugal), with a retrospective correlational cross-sectional design and a convenience sample. Participants were divided between demonstration participants (n = 1,271; 94.0% female) and non-demonstrators or followers who monitored participants through the media and social networks (n = 1,583; 75.87% female). Compared with non-demonstrators and with males, female and non-binary gender respondents had greater scores in mechanisms and criterion variables. Further random-effects model meta-analyses revealed that the perceived emotional synchrony was consistently associated with more proximal mechanisms, as well as with criterion variables. Finally, sequential moderation analyses showed that proposed mechanisms successfully mediated the effects of participation on every criterion variable. These results indicate that participation in 8M marches and demonstrations can be analyzed through the literature on collective rituals. As such, collective participation implies positive outcomes both individually and collectively, which are further reinforced through key psychological mechanisms, in line with a Durkheimian approach to collective rituals.

Ethnobotanical study of plants used by the traditional healers to treat malaria in Mogovolas district, northern Mozambique.

INTRODUCTION: Malaria is an important parasitic disease that affects mostly the African continent. Traditional medicine is very important in Mozambique and traditional healers play a key role in the primary health care services, particularly in rural areas. We aim to report the results of an ethnobotanical survey undertaken in Mogovolas district, northern region of Mozambique. We recorded and identified the medicinal plants used by traditional healers for treatment of malaria, as well as the mode of preparation and administration. METHODS: The study was conducted in 14 villages from Mogovolas between June and August 2015. Sixteen traditional healers were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires. Under their guidance, we collected medicinal plants and prepared herbarium specimens that were sent and kept at Eduardo Mondlane University Herbarium for scientific identification. We searched for information on the in vitro and in vivo studies of the cited plants for antiplasmodial activity. RESULTS: Traditional healers from Mogovolas district reported the use of 37 plants to treat malaria, belonging to 22 families. The most used species are Ochna kirkii Oliv. (5 citations), Ehretia amoena Klotzsch and Pteleopsis myrtifolia (M.A.Lawson) Engl. & Diels (both with 3 citations). These plants belong to Ochnaceae, Boraginaceae and Combretaceae families, respectively. The herbal remedies are prepared using leaves (22/37), roots (18/37), stem barks (16/37) and stems (3/37). The administration of the herbal remedies was made essentially by oral route and bathing. CONCLUSION: The ethnobotanical data resulted from this study can be the starting point for further chemical and pharmacological studies aiming to identify medicinal species with antimalarial activity, thus, open the insights for the discovery of new antimalarial substances, as well as better integration of the traditional medicine into the national health systems, particularly in developing countries, as the health system coverage is limited.

Human toxoplasmosis in Mozambique: gaps in knowledge and research opportunities.

Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic zoonotic disease caused by Toxoplasma gondii that afflicts humans worldwide and wild and domestic warm-blooded animals. In immunocompetent individuals, the acute phase of infection presents transient low or mild symptoms that remain unnoticed. In immunocompromised patients, T. gondii is a life-threatening opportunistic infection, which can result from the reactivation of latent infection or primary infection. Moreover, congenital toxoplasmosis, which results from the transplacental passage of tachyzoites into the fetus during a pregnant primary infection, can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, or ocular and neurologic disease, and neurocognitive deficits in the newborns. Thus, the present review aims to address the current knowledge of T. gondii infection and toxoplasmosis in Africa and especially in Mozambique, stressing the importance of identifying risk factors and promote awareness among the health care providers and population, assessing the gaps in knowledge and define research priorities. In Mozambique, and in general in southern African countries, clinical disease and epidemiological data have not yet been entirely addressed in addition to the implications of T. gondii infection in immunocompetent individuals, in pregnant women, and its relation with neuropsychiatric disorders. The main gaps in knowledge in Mozambique include lack of awareness of the disease, lack of diagnostic methods in health facilities, lack of genetic data, and lack of control strategies.

El conocimiento sobre métodos anticonceptivos y la conducta sexual en jóvenes universitarios / Knowledge about contraceptive methods and sexual behavior in young university students / O conhecimento sobre métodos anticonceptivos e a conduta sexual em jovens universitários

Resumen Introducción: En México los embarazos no planificados se presentan entre 30% y 60% en adolescentes. Esta problemática permea a todos los grupos de la sociedad observándose aún en las universidades. La Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México ha realizado acciones preventivas; sin embargo, en cinco años, el número de embarazos en las estudiantes incrementó en un plantel de la zona oriente, por lo que se propuso evaluar el conocimiento sobre métodos de planificación familiar y conducta sexual que tienen los estudiantes universitarios. Metodología: Estudio cuantitativo transversal realizado en 2018. La muestra no probabilística estuvo integrada por 224 alumnos de ciencias sociales del nivel superior de la Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, quienes dieron su consentimiento informado. Se les aplicó un cuestionario de 32 ítems a través del cual se evaluó conocimiento sobre métodos de planificación familiar y conductas sexuales que tenían. Resultados: 51% informaron recibir información sobre métodos de planificación familiar entre 13 y 17 años, proviniendo de su profesor(a). 69% de los estudiantes reportaron haber tenido relaciones sexuales; de los cuales 97% respondieron que antes de ingresar al nivel superior recibieron la información sobre métodos anticonceptivos. Actualmente 45% no utiliza algún método anticonceptivo, 49% declararon haber tenido sexo oral y 18% anal. 9% reportó tener relaciones sexuales bajo influencia de drogas. Conclusiones: Se realizó un acercamiento al conocimiento sobre métodos de planificación familiar y conducta sexual de los estudiantes, para diseñar e implementar un programa de salud sexual que prevenga infecciones de transmisión sexual y embarazos no planificados.

Abstract Introduction: Unplanned pregnancies in Mexico occur between 30 and 60 percent of the cases in adolescents. This problem permeates all groups in society being observed even in universities. Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Mexico has developed preventive actions, but in five years the number of pregnancies in students increased in one of its campuses in the western area, reason why it was proposed to evaluate the knowledge about family planning methods and sexual behavior that university students have. Methodology: Cross-sectional quantitative study conducted in 2018. The non-probability sample consisted of 224 students from the upper level of Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Mexico who gave their informed consent. A questionnaire of 32 items was applied, through which knowledge about family planning methods and sexual behaviors they had were evaluated. Results: 51% reported receiving information about family planning methods when they were 13 and 17 years old, coming from their teachers. 69% of the students reported having had sexual intercourse from whom 97% answered that they had received information about contraceptive methods before entering the upper level. Currently 45% do not use any contraception method, 49% reported having oral sex and 18% anal sex; 9% reported having sex under the influence of drugs. Conclusions: An approach was made to knowledge about family planning methods and sexual behavior of students, to design and implement a sexual health program that prevents sexually transmitted infections and unplanned pregnancies.

Resumo Introdução: No México a gravidez não planificados se apresentam entre 30% e 60% em adolescentes. Esta problemática permeia a todos os grupos da sociedade observando-se ainda nas universidades. A Universidade Autônoma do Estado do México tem realizado ações preventivas; porém, em cinco anos, o número de gravidezes nas estudantes incrementou num campus da zona oriente, pelo que se propus avaliar o conhecimento sobre métodos de planificação familiar e conduta sexual que têm os estudantes universitários. Metodologia: Estudo quantitativo transversal realizado em 2018. A amostra não probabilística esteve integrada por 224 alunos de ciências sociais do nível superior da Universidade Autônoma do Estado de México, quem deram seu consentimento informado. Aplicou-se lhes um questionário de 32 itens a través do qual se avaliou conhecimento sobre métodos de planificação familiar e condutas sexuais que tinham. Resultados: 51% informaram receber informação sobre métodos de planificação familiar entre 13 e 17 anos, prevenindo do seu professor(a). 69% dos estudantes reportaram ter tido relações sexuais; dos quais 97% responderam que antes de ingressar ao nível superior receberam a informação sobre métodos anticonceptivos. Atualmente 45% não utiliza algum método anticonceptivo, 49% declararam ter tido sexo oral e 18% anal. 9% aceitaram ter relaciones sexuais sob efeito das drogas. Conclusões: Realizou-se uma aproximação ao conhecimento sobre métodos de planificação familiar e conduta sexual dos estudantes, para desenhar e dar execução a um programa de saúde sexual que evite infeções de transmissão sexual e gravidez não planificados.

El conocimiento sobre métodos anticonceptivos y la conducta sexual en jóvenes universitarios / Training in mental health in psychology, social work, medicine, nursing and occupational therapy in colombia / O conhecimento sobre métodos anticonceptivos e a conduta sexual em jovens universitarios

Introducción: En México los embarazos no planificados se presentan entre 30% y 60% en adolescentes. Esta problemática permea a todos los grupos de la sociedad observándose aún en las universidades. La Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México ha realizado acciones preventivas; sin embargo, en cinco años, el número de embarazos en las estudiantes incrementó en un plantel de la zona oriente, por lo que se propuso evaluar el conocimiento sobre métodos de planificación familiar y conducta sexual que tienen los estudiantes universitarios. Metodología: Estudio cuantitativo transversal realizado en 2018. La muestra no probabilística estuvo integrada por 224 alumnos de ciencias sociales del nivel superior de la Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, quienes dieron su consentimiento informado. Se les aplicó un cuestionario de 32 ítems a través del cual se evaluó conocimiento sobre métodos de planificación familiar y conductas sexuales que tenían. Resultados: 51% informaron recibir información sobre métodos de planificación familiar entre 13 y 17 años, proviniendo de su profesor(a). 69% de los estudiantes reportaron haber tenido relaciones sexuales; de los cuales 97% respondieron que antes de ingresar al nivel superior recibieron la información sobre métodos anticonceptivos. Actualmente 45% no utiliza algún método anticonceptivo, 49% declararon haber tenido sexo oral y 18% anal. 9% reportó tener relaciones sexuales bajo influencia de drogas. Conclusiones: Se realizó un acercamiento al conocimiento sobre métodos de planificación familiar y conducta sexual de los estudiantes, para diseñar e implementar un programa de salud sexual que prevenga infecciones de transmisión sexual y embarazos no planificados.

Unplanned pregnancies in Mexico occur between 30 and 60 percent of the cases in adolescents. This problem permeates all groups in society being observed even in universities. Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Mexico has developed preventive actions, but in five years the number of pregnancies in students increased in one of its campuses in the western area, reason why it was proposed to evaluate the knowledge about family planning methods and sexual behavior that university students have. Methodology: Cross-sectional quantitative study conducted in 2018. The non-probability sample consisted of 224 students from the upper level of Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Mexico who gave their informed consent. A questionnaire of 32 items was applied, through which knowledge about family planning methods and sexual behaviors they had were evaluated. Results: 51% reported receiving information about family planning methods when they were 13 and 17 years old, coming from their teachers. 69% of the students reported having had sexual intercourse from whom 97% answered that they had received information about contraceptive methods before entering the upper level. Currently 45% do not use any contraception method, 49% reported having oral sex and 18% anal sex; 9% reported having sex under the influence of drugs. Conclusions: An approach was made to knowledge about family planning methods and sexual behavior of students, to design and implement a sexual health program that prevents sexually transmitted infections and unplanned pregnancies.

Introdução: No México a gravidez não planificados se apresentam entre 30% e 60% em adolescentes. Esta problemática permeia a todos os grupos da sociedade observando-se ainda nas universidades. A Universidade Autônoma do Estado do México tem realizado ações preventivas; porém, em cinco anos, o número de gravidezes nas estudantes incrementou num campus da zona oriente, pelo que se propus avaliar o conhecimento sobre métodos de planificação familiar e conduta sexual que têm os estudantes universitários. Metodologia: Estudo quantitativo transversal realizado em 2018. A amostra não probabilística esteve integrada por 224 alunos de ciências sociais do nível superior da Universidade Autônoma do Estado de México, quem deram seu consentimento informado. Aplicou-se lhes um questionário de 32 itens a través do qual se avaliou conhecimento sobre métodos de planificação familiar e condutas sexuais que tinham. Resultados: 51% informaram receber informação sobre métodos de planificação familiar entre 13 e 17 anos, prevenindo do seu professor(a). 69% dos estudantes reportaram ter tido relações sexuais; dos quais 97% responderam que antes de ingressar ao nível superior receberam a informação sobre métodos anticonceptivos. Atualmente 45% não utiliza algum método anticonceptivo, 49% declararam ter tido sexo oral e 18% anal. 9% aceitaram ter relaciones sexuais sob efeito das drogas. Conclusões: Realizou-se uma aproximação ao conhecimento sobre métodos de planificação familiar e conduta sexual dos estudantes, para desenhar e dar execução a um programa de saúde sexual que evite infeções de transmissão sexual e gravidez não planificados

Fecal virome composition of migratory wild duck species.

The fecal virome comprises a complex diversity of eukaryotic viruses, phages and viruses that infect the host. However, little is known about the intestinal community of viruses that is present in wild waterfowl, and the structure of this community in wild ducks has not yet been studied. The fecal virome compositions of six species of wild dabbling ducks and one species of wild diving duck were thus analyzed. Fecal samples were collected directly from the rectums of 60 ducks donated by hunters. DNA and RNA virus particles were purified and sequenced using the MiSeq Illumina platform. The reads obtained from the sequencing were analyzed and compared with sequences in the GenBank database. Viral-related sequences from the Herpesviridae, Alloherpesviridae, Adenoviridae, Retroviridae and Myoviridae viral families showed the highest overall abundances in the samples. The virome analysis identified viruses that had not been found in wild duck feces and revealed distinct virome profiles between different species and between samples of the same species. This study increases our understanding of viruses in wild ducks as possible viral reservoirs and provides a basis for further studying and monitoring the transmission of viruses from wild animals to humans and disease outbreaks in domestic animals.

Trastornos de la migración neuronal: un caso de lisencefalia / Neuronal migration disorders: a lissencephaly case

Las malformaciones del desarrollo cortical originan un grupo de patologías, que cursan con diversas manifestaciones las cuales marcan un grado de minusvalía significativo en quienes las padecen. La Lisencefalia es una de las alteraciones de la migración neuronal caracterizada por una corteza cerebral de superficie lisa o con pocas circunvoluciones. Este trastorno está frecuentemente asociado a epilepsias de difícil manejo. Se presenta el caso de un paciente masculino de 18 meses de edad con diagnóstico de Lisencefalia quien cursa con convulsiones tónicas generalizadas desde los 8 meses de edad. Se le realizó TAC de cráneo simple y resonancia magnética de cerebro para confirmar el diagnóstico y se dio manejo farmacológico a las convulsiones.

Malformations of cortical development originate a group of pathologies that involve diverse manifestations that mark a significant degree of disability in those who suffer from. The Lissencephaly is one of alterations in neuronal migration characterized by a smooth surface or with few convolutions in the cerebral cortex. This disorder is often associated with difficult management Epilepsies. We report the case of a male patient from 18 months of age with a diagnosis of Lissencephaly, who presents generalized tonic seizures from 8 months of age. Was performed a simple skull CT and brain magnetic resonance to confirm the diagnosis and the pharmacological management was given to seizures.

[Lifestyle and probabilty of dementia in the elderly]. / Estilo de vida en adultos mayores y su asociación con demencia.

INTRODUCTION: there is evidence of a relationship between physical and cognitive activity and the development of dementia, although this hypothesis has not been tested in Mexican population. OBJECTIVE: analyze the association between an increased participation in physical and cognitive activities and the probability of having dementia, using a Mexican open population sample. MATERIALS AND METHODS: we made a cross sectional survey in open Mexican population of residents in urban and rural areas of 65 of age and older; we performed cognitive assessments to identify subjects with dementia, as well as questionnaires to assess the level of participation in physical and cognitive activities. We performed a binary logistic regression analysis to establish the association between participation and the probability of having dementia. RESULTS: we included 2003 subjects, 180 with diagnosis of dementia. Subjects with dementia were older, had less education and higher prevalence of some chronic diseases. The low participation in cognitive activities was associated with a higher probability of developing dementia. Patients with dementia had significantly lower scores on physical activity scales. CONCLUSIONS: this study supports the hypothesis of a relationship between low cognitive and physical activity and the presentation of dementia.