Yeast Diversity in Honey and Pollen Samples from Stingless Bees in the State of Bahia, Brazil: Use of the MALDI-TOF MS/Genbank Proteomic Technique.

(1) Background: The identification of microorganisms includes traditional biochemical methods, molecular biology methods evaluating the conserved regions of rRNA, and the molecular biology of proteins (proteomics), such as MALDI-TOF MS mass spectrometry. This work aimed to identify the biodiversity of yeasts associated with stingless bee species' honey and pollen, Melipona scutellaris, Nannotrigona testaceicornes, and Tetragonisca angustula, from the region of São Gonçalo dos Campos-Bahia (BA) state, Brazil. (2) Methods: Cellular proteins were extracted from 2837 microbial isolates (pollen and honey) and identified via MALDI-TOF MS. The identified yeast species were also compared to the mass spectra of taxonomically well-characterized reference strains, available from the National Center of Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database. (3) Results: Nine yeast species were identified: Candida maltosa, Candida norvegica, Kazachstania telluris, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, Scheffersomyces insectosus, Meyerozyma guilliermondii, Brettanomyces bruxellensis, Kazachstania exigua, and Starmerella lactis-condensi. Nannotrigona testaceicornes pollen had the highest number of yeast colonies. The yeasts Brettanomyces bruxellensis and Kazachstania telluris showed high populations in the samples of Nannotrigona testaceicornes and Melipona scutellaris, respectively. This work shows that there is some sharing of the same species of yeast between honey and pollen from the same beehive. (4) Conclusions: A total of 71.84% of the identified species present a high level of confidence at the species level. Eight yeast species (Candida maltosa, Candida norvegica, Kazachstania telluris, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, Scheffersomyces insectosus, Meyerozyma guilliermondii, Kazachstania exigua, and Starmerella lactis-condensi) were found for the first time in the samples that the authors inspected. This contributes to the construction of new knowledge about the diversity of yeasts associated with stingless bee products, as well as to the possibility of the biotechnological application of some yeast species.

Pandemia da Covid-19: Prática de Lazer entre Professores Brasileiros / Covid-19 pandemic: leisure practice among teachers brazilian

Neste estudo, examinamos as atividades de lazer entre os professores durante a COVID-19, avaliando questões relacionadas ao perfil sociodemográfico e às condições de trabalho. Trata-se de um websurvey transversal, realizado com professores da educação básica pública de Minas Gerais. Foi utilizado um formulário digital para a coleta de dados em 2020. A prática de lazer na pandemia foi a variável dependente. Na análise múltipla, foi utilizada a regressão de Poisson. Participaram do estudo 15.641 professores, dos quais 43% não estavam tendo práticas de lazer na pandemia. Houve maior prevalência de ausência da prática de lazer entre as mulheres, entre os idosos, professores pardos e pretos, contratados/designados e insatisfeitos com o trabalho docente na pandemia. Assim, esta pesquisa buscou discutir temas socioculturais, destacando que o acesso às práticas de lazer carece de uma visão social, humana e voltada para a desigualdade.

In this study, we examined leisure activities among teachers during the COVID-19, assessing issues related to sociodemographic profile and working conditions. This is a cross-sectional websurvey, performed with teachers of public basic education of Minas Gerais. A digital form was used to collect data in 2020. Leisure practice in pandemic was the dependent variable. In the multiple analysis, Poisson regression was used. A total of 15,641 teachers participated in the study, of which 43% were not having leisure practices in pandemic. There was a higher prevalence of absence of leisure practice among women, among the elderly, brown and black-skinned teachers, contracted/designated teachers and those not satisfied with teaching work in pandemic. Thus, this research sought to discuss sociocultural topics, highlighting, that access to leisure practices lacks a social, human vision focused on the inequality.

BRAZILIAN SOCIETY OF HEPATOLOGY UPDATED RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SYSTEMIC TREATMENT OF HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third most common cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. The Brazilian Society of Hepatology (SBH) published in 2020 the updated recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of HCC. Since then, new data have emerged in the literature, including new drugs approved for the systemic treatment of HCC that were not available at the time. The SBH board conducted an online single-topic meeting to discuss and review the recommendations on the systemic treatment of HCC. The invited experts were asked to conduct a systematic review of the literature on each topic related to systemic treatment and to present the summary data and recommendations during the meeting. All panelists gathered together for discussion of the topics and elaboration of the updated recommendations. The present document is the final version of the reviewed manuscript containing the recommendations of SBH and its aim is to assist healthcare professionals, policy-makers, and planners in Brazil and Latin America with systemic treatment decision-making of patients with HCC.

The effect of BCG vaccination on infection and antibody levels against SARS-CoV-2-The results of ProBCG: a multicenter randomized clinical trial in Brazil.

OBJECTIVES: Evatuate if Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine could be used as a tool against SARS-CoV-2 based on the concept of trained immunity. METHODS: A multicenter, double-blinded, randomized clinical trial recruited health care workers (HCWs) in Brazil. The incidence rates of COVID-19, clinical manifestations, absenteeism, and adverse events among HCWs receiving BCG vaccine (Moreau or Moscow strains) or placebo were compared. BCG vaccine-mediated immune response before and after implementing specific vaccines for COVID-19 (CoronaVac or COVISHIELD) was analyzed. Cox proportional hazard and linear mixed effect modeling were used. RESULTS: A total of 264 volunteers were included for analysis (BCG = 134 and placebo = 130). The placebo group presented a COVID-19 cumulative incidence of 0.75% vs 0.52% of BCG. The Moreau strain also presented a higher incidence rate (1.60% × 0.22%). BCG did not show a protective hazard ratio against COVID-19. In addition, the log (immunoglobulin G) level against SARS-CoV-2 presented a higher increase in the BCG group, whether or not participants had COVID-19, but also without statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that BCG has a tendency of protection against SARS-CoV-2 and higher immunoglobulin G levels than placebo. The clinical trial was registered at https://clinicaltrials.gov/ (NCT04659941).

Atualização das Recomendações da Sociedade Brasileira de Hepatologia para o Tratamento Sistêmico do Carcinoma Hepatocelular / Brazilian society of hepatology updated recommendations for systemic treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma

ABSTRACT Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third most common cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. The Brazilian Society of Hepatology (SBH) published in 2020 the updated recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of HCC. Since then, new data have emerged in the literature, including new drugs approved for the systemic treatment of HCC that were not available at the time. The SBH board conducted an online single-topic meeting to discuss and review the recommendations on the systemic treatment of HCC. The invited experts were asked to conduct a systematic review of the literature on each topic related to systemic treatment and to present the summary data and recommendations during the meeting. All panelists gathered together for discussion of the topics and elaboration of the updated recommendations. The present document is the final version of the reviewed manuscript containing the recommendations of SBH and its aim is to assist healthcare professionals, policy-makers, and planners in Brazil and Latin America with systemic treatment decision-making of patients with HCC.

RESUMO O carcinoma hepatocelular (CHC) é uma das principais causas de mortalidade relacionada a câncer no Brasil e no mundo. A Sociedade Brasileira de Hepatologia (SBH) publicou em 2020 a atualização das recomendações da SBH para o diagnóstico e tratamento do CHC. Desde então, novas evidências científicas sobre o tratamento sistêmico do CHC foram relatadas na literatura médica, incluindo novos medicamentos aprovados que não estavam disponíveis na época do último consenso, levando a diretoria da SBH a promover uma reunião monotemática on-line para discutir e rever as recomendações sobre o tratamento sistêmico do CHC. Um grupo de experts foi convidado para realizar uma revisão sistemática da literatura e apresentar uma atualização, baseada em evidências científicas, sobre cada tópico relacionado ao tratamento sistêmico e a apresentar os dados e recomendações resumidas durante a reunião. Todos os painelistas se reuniram para discutir os tópicos e elaborar as recomendações atualizadas. O presente documento é a versão final do manuscrito revisado, contendo as recomendações da SBH, e seu objetivo é auxiliar os profissionais de saúde, formuladores de políticas e planejadores no Brasil e na América Latina na tomada de decisões sobre o tratamento sistêmico de pacientes com CHC.

Outcome of liver cancer patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection: An International, Multicentre, Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Information about the impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in patients with liver cancer is lacking. This study characterizes the outcomes and mortality risk in this population. METHODS: Multicentre retrospective, cross-sectional, international study of liver cancer patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection registered between February and December 2020. Clinical data at SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis and outcomes were registered. RESULTS: Two hundred fifty patients from 38 centres were included, 218 with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and 32 with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA). The median age was 66.5 and 64.5 years, and 84.9% and 21.9% had cirrhosis in the HCC and iCCA cohorts respectively. Patients had advanced cancer stage at SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis in 39.0% of the HCC and 71.9% of the iCCA patients. After a median follow-up of 7.20 (IQR: 1.84-11.24) months, 100 (40%) patients have died, 48% of the deaths were SARS-CoV-2-related. Forty (18.4%) HCC patients died within 30-days. The death rate increase was significantly different according to the BCLC stage (6.10% [95% CI 2.24-12.74], 11.76% [95% CI 4.73-22.30], 20.69% [95% CI 11.35-31.96] and 34.52% [95% CI 17.03-52.78] for BCLC 0/A, B, C and D, respectively; p = .0017). The hazard ratio was 1.45 (95% CI 0.49-4.31; p = .5032) in BCLC-B versus 0/A, and 3.13 (95% CI 1.29-7.62; p = .0118) in BCLC-C versus 0/A in the competing risk Cox regression model. Nineteen out of 32 iCCA (59.4%) died, and 12 deaths were related to SARS-CoV-2 infection. CONCLUSIONS: This is the largest cohort of liver cancer patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. It characterizes the 30-day mortality risk of SARS-CoV-2 infected patients with HCC during this period.

Orchidists' profile, management and perception of the main pests in orchid cultivation

This study investigated the profile of orchidists, their cultivation practices, and their knowledge about pests in orchid cultivation in the state of Bahia. There were applied 74 questionnaires to producers (amateurs and commercials) in 23 municipalities. The data were submitted to univariate statistics using the chi-square test, the Mann­Whitney U-test and the Kruskal­Wallis H-test. The survey shows that orchid cultivation is mostly practiced by women (67.6%) and those with higher education (48.7%). Most respondents were amateurs (87.8%). Insects (39.9%) and diseases (32.5%) were the main organisms associated with phytosanitary problems. The presence of insects was reported to occur mainly in the leaves (47%), mainly mealybugs (46.3%). Correspondence was significant between commercial and amateur groups according to the pairwise Mann­Whitney U-test(1) = 370.04 and p < 0.01. The Kruskal­Wallis H-test(27) = 924.78 and p < 0.01 discriminated categories between the groups. Despite the growing interest in orchid cultivation in the state of Bahia, most orchidists are amateurs. The study warns about the risk of pest dispersion between crops since exchanging plants and purchasing specimens in open markets are common practices.

A dança no espaço público da cidade - o "projeto forró na praça": dos encontros e da liberdade / Dance in the public space of the city - "forró na praça" project: meetings and freedom

Este estudo versa sobre os sentidos atribuídos pelos frequentadores de um projeto denominado "Forró na Praça" à vivência da dança no espaço público da praça, sendo este espaço parte constitutiva da cidade, presente na realidade com seus objetos e formado pela contínua interação humana. Para desenvolvimento desta pesquisa foram realizadas observações simples das aulas de dança do projeto e aplicadas entrevistas semiestruturadas ao coordenador do projeto e a três participantes. Os dados coletados foram analisados segundo análise qualitativa do conteúdo, sendo constatado que o dançar na praça promove sociabilidade e novas experiências, podendo se constituir em uma vivência de lazer significativa para os participantes. A praça, pública e aberta, convida "facilmente" aqueles que ocupam e percorrem a cidade a viver a dança neste espaço/paisagem.

This investigation discusses the meanings attributed by the participants of a project called "Forró na Praça" to the experience of dance in the public space of the square. This space is a constituent part of the city, present in reality with its objects and formed by continuous human interaction. For the development of this research, simple observations were made of the dance classes held in the project and semi-structured interviews were applied to the project coordinator and to three participants. The collected data were interpreted according to the qualitative content analysis procedures. From this analysis, it was possible to verify that the possibility of dancing in the square promotes sociability and new experiences, which can constitute a significant leisure experience for the participants. The square, public and open, invites "easily" those who occupy and travel the city to live the dance in this space/landscape.

Gazeta do Norte newspaper and the great Sports Square as nation projects: 'Mold for Tomorrow's Men!'

Abstract Aim: This study contextualizes the establishment of Montes Claros Sports Square, in Minas Gerais, through the look of Gazeta do Norte newspaper, and its alignment with a nation project to be established by the government of Getúlio Vargas, who took office in 1930. He formulated actions for a 'national reconstruction' project, for which, from society, it was necessary to emerge both physically and morally healthy subjects, fundamental conditions for the construction of the aforementioned new nation, and which could reach the Brazilians in the hinterlands. Thus, this study aimed to narrate a history of the construction of Montes Claros Sports Square, from the end of the 1930s until 1945, during Getúlio Vargas' first term as President of the Republic, with Benedito Valadares as Governor of Minas Gerais. Methods: The study was based on the extensive collection of data researched in Gazeta do Norte newspaper. Results: Symbol of a modern project for sports, the Sports Square was announced by the governor during his visit to the city, in January 1939, and established on the Oswaldo Cruz meadow. It is possible to verify that, notably, in the 15 years of Getúlio Vargas' first term, the practice of sports is developed and consolidates itself as an 'actor' in the social space of Montes Claros. Conclusion: In this city, in addition to the construction of the Sports Square, it was necessary to educate and inform the individuals. It can be said that the newspaper Gazeta do Norte firmly contributed to Vargas' nation project.

O divertimento importado: uma colonização cultural no sertão norte-mineiro / Imported amusement: cultural colonization in northern minas gerais's hinterland (sertão) / La diversión importada: una colonización cultural en el sertão del norte de minas gerais

Resumo Este estudo objetivou analisar o desenvolvimento de aspectos modernos na cidade de Montes Claros, na primeira metade do século XX, localizada no Norte do estado de Minas Gerais, e problematizou as tensões sociais existentes entre a aquisição de novos hábitos e as antigas tradições locais. Foram buscadas informações na imprensa jornalística da época, a partir do periódico Gazeta do Norte, o jornal de maior circulação da cidade de Montes Claros no período de 1918 a 1962. Identificou-se que, no sertão do Brasil do século XX, as diversões se constituíram em meio a tensões entre a tradição e o moderno. Para além disto, o tempo e o espaço locais estabeleceram relações com a formação do binômio trabalho e divertimento em Montes Claros. O advento da modernidade permitiu a apropriação, não sem resistências e tensões, de um conjunto de valores e práticas que se distinguiam das vigentes no ordenamento social até então.

Abstract This study analyzed the development of modern aspects of life in the first half of the 20th century in the city of Montes Claros, northern Minas Gerais, Brazil, and discussed the social tensions between acquisition of new habits and old local traditions. Information was sought from Gazeta do Norte, the most widely read newspaper in the city in 1918-1962. The study found that, in the Brazilian hinterland (known as sertão) of the 20th Century, forms of amusement were created amid tensions between tradition and the modernity. In addition, local time and space have established relations with the work/entertainment binomial in Montes Claros. The advent of modernity allowed appropriation - not without resistance and tensions - of a set of values and practices that were different from those that had prevailed in the social order so far.

Resumen Este estudio tuvo como objetivo analizar el desarrollo de aspectos modernos en la ciudad de Montes Claros, ubicada en el norte del estado de Minas Gerais, en la primera mitad del siglo XX, y problematizó las tensiones sociales existentes entre la adquisición de nuevos hábitos y las antiguas tradiciones locales. Se buscó información en la prensa de la época a partir del periódico Gazeta do Norte, el diario de mayor circulación en la ciudad de Montes Claros en el período de 1918 a 1962. Se identificó que, en el semiárido brasileño del siglo XX, las diversiones se constituyeron en medio a tensiones entre la tradición y la modernidad. Además, el tiempo y el espacio locales establecieron relaciones con la formación del binomio trabajo y entretenimiento en Montes Claros. El advenimiento de la modernidad permitió la apropiación, no sin resistencias y tensiones, de un conjunto de valores y prácticas que se diferenciaban de las imperantes en el orden social hasta entonces.

International and multicenter real-world study of sorafenib-treated patients with hepatocellular carcinoma under dialysis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Information on safety and efficacy of systemic treatment in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) under dialysis are limited due to patient exclusion from clinical trials. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the rate, prevalence, tolerability, and outcome of sorafenib in this population. METHODS: We report a multicenter study comprising patients from Latin America and Europe. Patients treated with sorafenib were enrolled; demographics, dose modifications, adverse events (AEs), treatment duration, and outcome of patients undergoing dialysis were recorded. RESULTS: As of March 2018, 6156 HCC patients were treated in 44 centres and 22 patients were concomitantly under dialysis (0.36%). The median age was 65.5 years, 40.9% had hepatitis C, 75% had Child-Pugh A, and 85% were Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer-C. The median time to first dose modification, treatment duration and overall survival rate were 2.4 months (interquartile ranges [IQR], 0.8-3.8), 10.8 months (IQR, 4.5-16.9), and 17.5 months (95% CI, 7.2-24.5), respectively. Seventeen patients required at least 1 dose modification. The main causes of first dose modification were asthenia/worsening of Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group-Performance Status and diarrhoea. At the time of death or last follow-up, four patients were still on treatment and 18 had discontinued sorafenib: 14 were due to tumour progression, 2 were sorafenib-related, and 2 were non-sorafenib-related AE. CONCLUSIONS: The outcomes observed in this cohort seem comparable to those in the non-dialysis population. Thus, to the best of our knowledge, this is the largest and most informative dataset regarding systemic treatment outcomes in HCC patients undergoing dialysis.

Safety and tolerability of nintedanib in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in Brazil. / Segurança e tolerabilidade de Nintedanibe em pacientes com fibrose pulmonar idiopática no Brasil.

OBJECTIVE: Clinical trials have shown that nintedanib 150 mg twice daily (bid) reduces disease progression in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), with an adverse event profile that is manageable for most patients. Prior to the approval of nintedanib as a treatment for IPF in Brazil, an expanded access program (EAP) was initiated to provide early access to treatment and to evaluate the safety and tolerability of nintedanib in this patient population. METHODS: Patients with a diagnosis of IPF within the previous five years, forced vital capacity (FVC) ≥ 50% predicted and diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (DLco) 30% to 79% predicted were eligible to participate in the EAP. Patients received nintedanib 150 mg bid open-label. Safety assessments included adverse events leading to permanent discontinuation of nintedanib and serious adverse events. RESULTS: The EAP involved 57 patients at eight centers. Most patients were male (77.2%) and white (87.7%). At baseline, mean (SD) age was 70.7 (7.5) years and FVC was 70.7 (12.5) % predicted. Mean (SD) exposure to nintedanib was 14.4 (6.2) months; maximum exposure was 22.0 months. The most frequently reported adverse events considered by the investigator to be related to nintedanib treatment were diarrhea (45 patients, 78.9%) and nausea (25 patients, 43.9%). Adverse events led to permanent discontinuation of nintedanib in 16 patients (28.1%). Sixteen patients (28.1%) had a serious adverse event. CONCLUSION: In the Brazilian EAP, nintedanib had an acceptable safety and tolerability profile in patients with IPF, consistent with data from clinical trials.

OBJETIVO: Ensaios clínicos mostraram que 150 mg de Nintedanibe duas vezes ao dia reduzem a progressão da doença em pacientes com Fibrose Pulmonar Idiopática (FPI), com um perfil de efeitos adversos que é controlável para a maioria dos pacientes. Antes da aprovação do Nintedanibe como tratamento para a FPI no Brasil, um Programa de Acesso Expandido (PEA) foi iniciado para fornecer acesso precoce ao tratamento e avaliar a segurança e a tolerância do Nintedanibe para este grupo de pacientes. MÉTODOS: Foram elegíveis para participar da PEA pacientes com diagnóstico de FPI nos últimos 5 anos, com capacidade vital forçada (CVF) ≥ 50% do previsto e capacidade de difusão dos pulmões para monóxido de carbono (DLco) 30%-79% do previsto. Os pacientes receberam Nintedanibe 150 mg, 2 vezes ao dia (bid). As avaliações de segurança incluíram eventos adversos que levaram à suspensão permanente do Nintedanibe e eventos adversos graves. RESULTADOS: O PEA envolveu 57 pacientes em 8 centros. A maioria dos pacientes era do sexo masculino (77,2%) e brancos (87,7%). No início do estudo, a média de idade foi de 70,7 (7,5) anos e a CVF foi de 70,7 (12,5%) do previsto. A média de exposição ao Nintedanibe foi de 14,4 (6,2) meses; a exposição máxima foi de 22,0 meses. Os eventos adversos frequentemente relatados pelo pesquisador como relacionados ao tratamento com Nintedanibe foram diarreia (45 pacientes, 78,9%) e náusea (25 pacientes, 43,9%). Os eventos adversos levaram à suspensão permanente do Nintedanibe em 16 pacientes (28,1%) que passaram por um evento adverso grave. CONCLUSÕES: No PEA brasileiro, o Nintedanibe apresentou um perfil aceitável de segurança e tolerância em pacientes com FPI, condizendo com dados de ensaios clínicos.

Experience with Sorafenib in 3 Hospitals in Sao Paulo.

INTRODUCTION AND AIM: Sorafenib has been the standard of care for first-line treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma, a complex disease that affects an extremely heterogenous population. Thereby requiring multidisciplinary individualized treatment strategies that match the disease characteristics and the patients' specific needs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data for 175 patients who received sorafenib for hepatocellular carcinoma in three different hospitals in Sao Paulo, Brazil over a span of nine years were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: The median age was 62 years. Percentages of patients with Child-Pugh A, B and C liver cirrhosis were 61%, 31% and 5%, respectively. Approximately half of the patients had Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage B disease, and the other half had stage C. The median treatment duration was 253 days. Sorafenib dose was reduced to 400 mg/day in 41% of the patients due to toxicity. Overall objective response rate as per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors and its modified version was 39%. Patients who received transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) at any point during sorafenib therapy were significantly more likely to experience an objective response. After a median follow-up of 339 days, the median overall survival was 380 days. Child-Pugh cirrhosis, tumor response and concomitant chemoembolization were independent prognostic factors for overall survival in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that, in experienced hands, sorafenib therapy may benefit carefully selected hepatocellular carcinoma patients for whom other therapies are initially contraindicated, including those patients with Child-Pugh B liver function and those patients who are subsequently treated with concomitant TACE.

Neutrophil CD64 expression levels in IGRA-positive individuals distinguish latent tuberculosis from active disease.

BACKGROUND: CD64 (FcγR1) is a high-affinity receptor for monomeric IgG1 and IgG3. Circulating neutrophils express very low amounts of CD64 on their surface. OBJECTIVES: Our primary aim was to investigate the utility of neutrophil CD64 surface expression as a biomarker of active pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). We hypothesised that elevated neutrophil CD64 expression in TB infection would be associated with interferon gamma (IFN-γ) as an inducer of CD64 expression. METHODS: The expression level of CD64 per neutrophil (PMN CD64 index) was quantitatively measured with flow cytometry using a Leuko64 kit in samples from patients with TB and latent TB infection (LTBI) as well as healthy controls, as part of a prospective cohort study in Brazil. FINDINGS: The PMN CD64 index in patients with TB was higher than that in healthy controls and LTBI. Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses determined that the PMN CD64 index could discriminate patients with TB from those with LTBI and healthy individuals. PMN CD64 index levels returned to baseline levels after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The positive regulation of CD64 expression in circulating neutrophils of patients with active TB could represent an additional biomarker for diagnosis of active TB and could be used for monitoring individuals with LTBI before progression of TB disease.

Redes sociais e sociabilidade: práticas e percepções acerca dos usos do facebook no lazer / Social networks and sociability: pratices and perceptions about the uses of facebook in leisure

O uso das redes sociais, em especial do Facebook (FB), tem permitido aos seus usuários realizar trocas significativas no plano virtual. Nesta pesquisa, esse cenário foi perscrutado por meio da aplicação de entrevistas estruturadas a moradores da região central da cidade de Montes Claros, polo econômico e cultural do Norte de Minas Gerais. Tal iniciativa procurou traçar, a partir dos sujeitos pesquisados, uma compreensão do FB como possibilidade de uso do tempo disponível buscando o entendimento acerca dos impactos desse processo na construção/consolidação de sociabilidades, problematizando as transformações dos interesses do lazer rumo àqueles vivenciados virtualmente. Os dados sinalizam a "força" que o FB tem alcançado na forja de identidades e representações, dando pistas dos processos de constituição do sujeito contemporâneo nesses espaços de sociabilidade virtuais e, precisamente por isso, tão reais.

The use of social networks, especially Facebook (FB), has allowed its users to make significant interactions in the virtual field. In this research, this context was examined through the application of structured interviews to residents of the central region of Montes Claros, a city which is the economic and cultural center in the north of Minas Gerais. This initiative sought to outline, from the subjects researched, an uptake of FB as a possibility of using leisure time, searching an understanding of the results of this process in the construction/consolidation of sociabilities, problematizing the transformations of the aims of leisure towards those experienced virtually. The data point to the "strength" that the FB has reached in the minting of identities and representations, building clues about the processes of constitution of the contemporary subject in these spaces of virtual sociability, and precisely because of this, so real.

ATLANTIC EPIPHYTES: a data set of vascular and non-vascular epiphyte plants and lichens from the Atlantic Forest.

Epiphytes are hyper-diverse and one of the frequently undervalued life forms in plant surveys and biodiversity inventories. Epiphytes of the Atlantic Forest, one of the most endangered ecosystems in the world, have high endemism and radiated recently in the Pliocene. We aimed to (1) compile an extensive Atlantic Forest data set on vascular, non-vascular plants (including hemiepiphytes), and lichen epiphyte species occurrence and abundance; (2) describe the epiphyte distribution in the Atlantic Forest, in order to indicate future sampling efforts. Our work presents the first epiphyte data set with information on abundance and occurrence of epiphyte phorophyte species. All data compiled here come from three main sources provided by the authors: published sources (comprising peer-reviewed articles, books, and theses), unpublished data, and herbarium data. We compiled a data set composed of 2,095 species, from 89,270 holo/hemiepiphyte records, in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay, recorded from 1824 to early 2018. Most of the records were from qualitative data (occurrence only, 88%), well distributed throughout the Atlantic Forest. For quantitative records, the most common sampling method was individual trees (71%), followed by plot sampling (19%), and transect sampling (10%). Angiosperms (81%) were the most frequently registered group, and Bromeliaceae and Orchidaceae were the families with the greatest number of records (27,272 and 21,945, respectively). Ferns and Lycophytes presented fewer records than Angiosperms, and Polypodiaceae were the most recorded family, and more concentrated in the Southern and Southeastern regions. Data on non-vascular plants and lichens were scarce, with a few disjunct records concentrated in the Northeastern region of the Atlantic Forest. For all non-vascular plant records, Lejeuneaceae, a family of liverworts, was the most recorded family. We hope that our effort to organize scattered epiphyte data help advance the knowledge of epiphyte ecology, as well as our understanding of macroecological and biogeographical patterns in the Atlantic Forest. No copyright restrictions are associated with the data set. Please cite this Ecology Data Paper if the data are used in publication and teaching events.

Neutrophil CD64 expression levels in IGRA-positive individuals distinguish latent tuberculosis from active disease

BACKGROUND CD64 (FcγR1) is a high-affinity receptor for monomeric IgG1 and IgG3. Circulating neutrophils express very low amounts of CD64 on their surface. OBJECTIVES Our primary aim was to investigate the utility of neutrophil CD64 surface expression as a biomarker of active pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). We hypothesised that elevated neutrophil CD64 expression in TB infection would be associated with interferon gamma (IFN-γ) as an inducer of CD64 expression. METHODS The expression level of CD64 per neutrophil (PMN CD64 index) was quantitatively measured with flow cytometry using a Leuko64 kit in samples from patients with TB and latent TB infection (LTBI) as well as healthy controls, as part of a prospective cohort study in Brazil. FINDINGS The PMN CD64 index in patients with TB was higher than that in healthy controls and LTBI. Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses determined that the PMN CD64 index could discriminate patients with TB from those with LTBI and healthy individuals. PMN CD64 index levels returned to baseline levels after treatment. CONCLUSIONS The positive regulation of CD64 expression in circulating neutrophils of patients with active TB could represent an additional biomarker for diagnosis of active TB and could be used for monitoring individuals with LTBI before progression of TB disease.

Segurança e tolerabilidade de Nintedanibe em pacientes com fibrose pulmonar idiopática no Brasil / Safety and tolerability of nintedanib in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in Brazil

RESUMO Objetivo Ensaios clínicos mostraram que 150 mg de Nintedanibe duas vezes ao dia reduzem a progressão da doença em pacientes com Fibrose Pulmonar Idiopática (FPI), com um perfil de efeitos adversos que é controlável para a maioria dos pacientes. Antes da aprovação do Nintedanibe como tratamento para a FPI no Brasil, um Programa de Acesso Expandido (PEA) foi iniciado para fornecer acesso precoce ao tratamento e avaliar a segurança e a tolerância do Nintedanibe para este grupo de pacientes. Métodos Foram elegíveis para participar da PEA pacientes com diagnóstico de FPI nos últimos 5 anos, com capacidade vital forçada (CVF) ≥ 50% do previsto e capacidade de difusão dos pulmões para monóxido de carbono (DLco) 30%-79% do previsto. Os pacientes receberam Nintedanibe 150 mg, 2 vezes ao dia (bid). As avaliações de segurança incluíram eventos adversos que levaram à suspensão permanente do Nintedanibe e eventos adversos graves. Resultados O PEA envolveu 57 pacientes em 8 centros. A maioria dos pacientes era do sexo masculino (77,2%) e brancos (87,7%). No início do estudo, a média de idade foi de 70,7 (7,5) anos e a CVF foi de 70,7 (12,5%) do previsto. A média de exposição ao Nintedanibe foi de 14,4 (6,2) meses; a exposição máxima foi de 22,0 meses. Os eventos adversos frequentemente relatados pelo pesquisador como relacionados ao tratamento com Nintedanibe foram diarreia (45 pacientes, 78,9%) e náusea (25 pacientes, 43,9%). Os eventos adversos levaram à suspensão permanente do Nintedanibe em 16 pacientes (28,1%) que passaram por um evento adverso grave. Conclusões No PEA brasileiro, o Nintedanibe apresentou um perfil aceitável de segurança e tolerância em pacientes com FPI, condizendo com dados de ensaios clínicos.

ABSTRACT Objective Clinical trials have shown that nintedanib 150 mg twice daily (bid) reduces disease progression in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), with an adverse event profile that is manageable for most patients. Prior to the approval of nintedanib as a treatment for IPF in Brazil, an expanded access program (EAP) was initiated to provide early access to treatment and to evaluate the safety and tolerability of nintedanib in this patient population. Methods Patients with a diagnosis of IPF within the previous five years, forced vital capacity (FVC) ≥ 50% predicted and diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (DLco) 30% to 79% predicted were eligible to participate in the EAP. Patients received nintedanib 150 mg bid open-label. Safety assessments included adverse events leading to permanent discontinuation of nintedanib and serious adverse events. Results The EAP involved 57 patients at eight centers. Most patients were male (77.2%) and white (87.7%). At baseline, mean (SD) age was 70.7 (7.5) years and FVC was 70.7 (12.5) % predicted. Mean (SD) exposure to nintedanib was 14.4 (6.2) months; maximum exposure was 22.0 months. The most frequently reported adverse events considered by the investigator to be related to nintedanib treatment were diarrhea (45 patients, 78.9%) and nausea (25 patients, 43.9%). Adverse events led to permanent discontinuation of nintedanib in 16 patients (28.1%). Sixteen patients (28.1%) had a serious adverse event. Conclusion In the Brazilian EAP, nintedanib had an acceptable safety and tolerability profile in patients with IPF, consistent with data from clinical trials.

Safety and efficacy of HepaSphere 50-100 µm in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.

AIM: To evaluate the effects of HepaSphere 50-100 µm (Merit Medical) as a doxorubicin carrier and embolization agent for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective analysis of 18 patients recruited from a national cancer center was conducted. This analysis evaluated the efficacy and safety of HepaSphere, as expressed by the treatment response rate (measured by the modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors, mRECIST) and by the prevalence of treatment-related adverse events, respectively. RESULTS: The cohort was predominantly male, with a mean age of 69 years. The objective response rate (complete + partial response) was 53.3%. The variable most likely to be associated with objective response was Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) staging. The most prevalent adverse events were nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. CONCLUSION: HepaSphere chemoembolization yielded a substantial objective response rate with an acceptable toxicity profile and should be considered an option for HCC treatment.

Educação sexual para adolescentes por docentes de um centro de educação comunitária / Sex education for adolescents by teachers from a community educationcenter / Educación sexual para adolescentes por profesores de un centro de educación comunitaria

Objective: Raising teachers’ knowledge about sexuality, to provide subsidies for the development of education practices in health care by Nursing. Methods: a descriptive study of a qualitative approach developed in a Community Education Center, with middle and high school teachers (n: 15). After compiling the data, there were analyzed and structured by semantic similarities. This study was a research project approved by the Research Ethics Committee, CAAE: 02700212.4.0000.5214. Results: in the research, four categories emerged: “The importance of the theme approach in School”, “Sexuality demonstrations by students”, “The role of teachers in sexual education of students” and “How the school should address the theme?”. Conclusion: the approach is based on a vertical transmission of knowledge, based mainly on biological aspects.

Objetivo: Levantar o conhecimento dos professores sobre a sexualidade, para fornecer subsídios para o desenvolvimento de práticas de educação em saúde pela Enfermagem. Métodos: um estudo descritivo de abordagem qualitativa desenvolvido em um Centro de Educação Comunitária com professores do ensino fundamental e médio (n: 15). Após a produção dos dados, estes foram analisados e estruturados por similaridades semânticas. O estudo teve o projeto de pesquisa aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa, CAAE: 02700212.4.0000.5214. Resultados: no desenvolvimento da pesquisa emergiram quatro categorias: “A importância da abordagem do tema na Escola”, “Demonstrações de Sexualidade pelos alunos”, ”O Papel dos professores na Educação sexual dos alunos” e “Como a escola deve tratar o tema?”. Conclusão: a abordagem utilizada baseia-se em uma transmissão vertical de conhecimento, embasada principalmente em aspectos biológicos.

Objetivo: Aumentar el conocimiento de los profesores acerca de la sexualidad para proporcionar subvenciones para el desarrollo de las prácticas de enseñanza en la salud por la Enfermería. Método: un estudio descriptivo de enfoque cualitativo desarrollado en un Centro de Educación de la Comunidad, con profesores de las escuelas media y secundaria (n: 15). Después de recopilar los datos, los mismos fueron analizados y estructurados por similitudes semánticas. Este estudio fue un proyecto de investigación aprobado por el Comité de Ética en la Investigación, CAAE: 02700212.4.0000.5214. Resultados: en la investigación emergieron cuatro categorías: “La importancia del enfoque temático en la Escuela”, “Manifestaciones de sexualidad de los estudiantes”, “El papel de los docentes en la educación sexual de los estudiantes” y “?Como la escuela debe abordar la cuestión?” Conclusión: el enfoque se basa en una transmisión vertical de los conocimientos, basada principalmente en los aspectos biológicos.