Ionizing Radiation-Induced Oxidative Stress in Computed Tomography-Effect of Vitamin C on Prevention of DNA Damage: PREVIR-C Randomized Controlled Trial Study Protocol.

Exposure to ionizing radiation (IR) is inevitable in various X-ray imaging examinations, with computed tomography (CT) being a major contributor to increased human radiation exposure. Ionizing radiation may cause structural damage to macromolecules, particularly DNA, mostly through an indirect pathway in diagnostic imaging. The indirect pathway primarily involves the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) due to water radiolysis induced by IR, leading to DNA damage, including double-strand breaks (DSB), which are highly cytotoxic. Antioxidants, substances that prevent oxidative damage, are proposed as potential radioprotective agents. This Study Protocol article presents the rationale for selecting vitamin C as a preventive measure against CT-associated IR-induced DNA damage, to be investigated in a randomized placebo-controlled trial, with a full in vivo design, using an oral easy-to-use schedule administration in the outpatient setting, for the single CT examination with the highest total global IR dose burden (contrast-enhanced abdomen and pelvis CT). The study also aims to explore the mediating role of oxidative stress, and it has been written in adherence to the Standard Protocol Items recommendations.

Ethical regulation of biomedical research in Brazil: a quality improvement initiative.

BACKGROUND: Q-CEP (Qualificação dos Comitês de Ética em Pesquisa que compõem o Sistema CEP/Conep) is a nationwide project resulting from a partnership between the Brazilian National Research Ethics Commission (Conep), the Ministry of Health and Hospital Moinhos de Vento (HMV). It was developed to consolidate policy for ethical review of research with human beings in all members of the CEP/Conep System, Brazil's national system of institutional review boards. The aim of this study was therefore to report on the experience and results of the Q-CEP project. METHODS: An observational, retrospective study includes data from the Q-CEP, obtained from visits to all the institutional research ethics committees (RECs) in the country. The actions implemented by Q-CEP were part of a two-step process: (i) training visits to each REC; (ii) development of distance learning modules on strategic topics pertaining to research ethics evaluation. The data presented herein cover step one (training visits), defined by Q-CEP as the diagnostic stage of the project. For a country with social and economics inequalities such as Brazil, this is a particularly important stage; an accurate picture of reality is needed to inform planning of quality improvement strategies. RESULTS: In 2019-2021, Q-CEP visited 832 RECs and trained 11,197 people. This sample covered almost all active RECs in the country; only 4 (0.5%) were not evaluated. Of the 94 items evaluated, 62% did not reach the target of at least 80% compliance and around 1/4 (26%) were below 50% compliance. The diagnostic stage of the process revealed inadequacies on the part of the RECs in their ethical reviews. The analysis of informed consent forms showed compliance in only 131 RECs (15.74%). The description of pending issues made by RECs in their reports was compliant in 19.33% (n = 161). Administrative and operational aspects were also considered inadequate by more than half of the RECs. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, Brazilian RECs showed poor compliance in several aspects of their operation, both in ethics evaluation and in other processes, which justifies additional training. The Q-CEP project is part of a quality improvement policy promoted by the Brazilian Ministry of Health. The data obtained in the diagnostic step of the project have contributed to the qualification and consolidation of one of the world's largest research ethics evaluation systems.

Spatio-temporal analysis of American Tegumentary Leishmaniasis incidences in the Brazilian state of Amazonas: 2011 to 2022.

This study aimed to conduct a spatio-temporal analysis of tegumentary leishmaniasis occurrences in the Amazonas state, Brazil. An ecological study encompassing time series and spatial analysis was performed, exploring the geographic distribution and temporal trends of American Tegumentary Leishmaniasis (ATL) in Amazonas between 2011 and 2022. Secondary data extracted from the Department of Informatics of the Unified Health System (DATASUS) were utilized for this analysis. The study evaluated the relationship between disease cases and environmental/climatic variables (deforestation, temperature, precipitation, and relative humidity). Over the study period, 19,730 cases of tegumentary leishmaniasis were recorded, averaging an incidence of 41.4/100,000 inhabitants across the 62 municipalities of Amazonas state. Disease intensity varied with seasons. Generally, Amazonas state displayed a declining trend in ATL cases. However, certain municipalities, notably Rio Preto da Eva and Presidente Figueiredo, exhibited high incidence rates, while Canutama, Envira, Eirunepé, and Pauini municipalities demand closer attention due to their demonstrated increasing temporal trend of ATL cases. The analysis indicated a correlation between the number of ATL cases reported and relative humidity as well as precipitation. These findings underscore the significance of tegumentary leishmaniasis as a public health issue in the region and emphasize the necessity for public initiatives aimed at preventing this endemic illness.

Atmospheric black carbon observations and its valley-mountain dynamics: Eastern cordillera of the central Andes of Peru.

Glacial bodies in the Peruvian Andes Mountains store and supply freshwater to hundreds of thousands of people in central Peru. Atmospheric black carbon (BC) is known to accelerate melting of snow and ice, in addition to contributing to air pollution and the health of people. Currently there is limited understanding on the sources and temporal variability of BC in valley and mountain environments in Peru. To address this problem, this study combined surface observations of BC collected during 2022-2023 with WRF model simulations and HYSPLIT trajectories to analyze the dispersion and sources of BC in valley and high elevation environments and the associated local atmospheric circulations. Results show high BC concentrations are associated with the valley-mountain wind system that occurs on both sides of the Huaytapallana mountain range. A pronounced circulation occurs on the western slopes of Huaytapallana when concentrations of BC increase during daylight hours, which transports atmospheric pollutants from cities in the Mantaro River Valley to the Huaytapallana mountain range. Low concentrations of BC are associated with circulations from the east that are channeled by the pronounced ravines of the Andes-Amazon transition. On average, during the season of highest BC concentrations (July-November), the relative contributions of fossil fuels are dominant to biomass burning at the valley observatory and are slightly lower at the Huaytapallana observatory. These results demonstrate the need to promote mitigation actions to reduce emissions of BC and air pollution associated with forest fires and local anthropogenic activity.

Association between mechanical ventilation parameters and mortality in children with respiratory failure on ECMO: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: In refractory respiratory failure (RF), extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a salvage therapy that seeks to reduce lung injury induced by mechanical ventilation. The parameters of optimal mechanical ventilation in children during ECMO are not known. Pulmonary ventilatory management during this therapy may impact mortality. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between ventilatory parameters in children during ECMO therapy and in-hospital mortality. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane, and Google Scholar from January 2013 until May 2022 (PROSPERO 450744), including studies in children with ECMO-supported RF assessing mechanical ventilation parameters, was conducted. Risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale; heterogeneity, with absence <25% and high >75%, was assessed using I2. Sensitivity and subgroup analyses using the Mantel-Haenszel random-effects model were performed to explore the impact of methodological quality on effect size. Results: Six studies were included. The median age was 3.4 years (IQR: 3.2-4.2). Survival in the 28-day studies was 69%. Mechanical ventilation parameters associated with higher mortality were a very low tidal volume ventilation (<4 ml/kg; OR: 4.70; 95% CI: 2.91-7.59; p < 0.01; I2: 38%), high plateau pressure (mean Dif: -0.70 95% CI: -0.18, -0.22; p < 0.01), and high driving pressure (mean Dif: -0.96 95% CI: -1.83, -0.09: p = 0.03). The inspired fraction of oxygen (p = 0.09) and end-expiratory pressure (p = 0.69) were not associated with higher mortality. Patients who survived had less multiple organ failure (p < 0.01). Conclusion: The mechanical ventilation variables associated with higher mortality in children with ECMO-supported respiratory failure are high plateau pressures, high driving pressure and very low tidal volume ventilation. No association between mortality and other parameters of the mechanical ventilator, such as the inspired fraction of oxygen or end-expiratory pressure, was found. Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42023450744, PROSPERO 2023 (CRD42023450744).

Health professionals' recommendations on the use of fluoride varnish for caries prevention in preschool children.

BACKGROUND: Fluoride varnish (FV) is widely recommended for caries prevention in preschool children, despite its anticaries benefits being uncertain and modest. Dentists often report using clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) as a source of scientific information. AIM: To identify and analyze recommendations for clinical practice on the use of FV for caries prevention in preschool children and to assess the methodological quality of the CPG on this topic. DESIGN: Two researchers independently used 12 search strategies and searched the first five pages of Google Search™ and three guideline databases for recommendations freely available to health professionals on the use of FV for caries prevention in preschoolers. Then, they retrieved and recorded recommendations that met the eligibility criteria and extracted the data. A third researcher resolved disagreements. Each included CPG was appraised using the AGREE II instrument. RESULTS: Twenty-nine documents were included. Recommendations varied according to age, patients' caries risk, and application frequency. Of the six CPGs, only one scored above 70% in the AGREE II overall assessment. CONCLUSION: Recommendations on the use of FV lacked scientific evidence, and CPGs were of poor quality. Application of FV is widely recommended despite recent evidence showing an uncertain, modest, and possibly not clinically relevant anticaries benefit. Dentists should be aware that it is necessary to critically appraise CPGs since they may be of poor quality.

Credibilidade e persuasão na era da desinformação: influenciadores digitais da Enfermagem no Brasil / Credibilidad y persuasión en la era de la desinformación: influencers digitales de enfermería en Brasil / Credibility and persuasion in the era of misinformation: digital nursing influencers in Brazil

Resumo Objetivo Analisar a audiência e o desempenho dos influenciadores digitais da enfermagem em plena era da desinformação. Métodos Estudo transversal, descritivo e exploratório, realizado com dados obtidos das mídias sociais online, de acesso público, de influenciadores digitais da enfermagem. Resultados Foram mapeados 234 perfis de influenciadores digitais na área da Enfermagem: 62,39% possuem entre 10 mil e 100 mil seguidores; 31,2% têm entre 100 mil e 500 mil usuários; 5,1% alcançam entre 500 mil até um milhão de seguidores; e 1,2% possui mais de um milhão de adeptos. Juntos, esses comunicadores atingem aproximadamente 32 milhões de usuários nas redes sociais. Conclusão Os influenciadores digitais da enfermagem são comunicadores relevantes nas redes sociais, com potencial de influenciar a opinião de um volume expressivo de seguidores que, somados, representam 10% da população brasileira apontada pelo último censo realizado pelo Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística. São atores estratégicos para a veiculação de informações verdadeiras, completas e confiáveis sobre enfermagem, saúde e assuntos correlatos. Por outro lado, verifica-se que também são canais para a proliferação de conteúdos maliciosos, informações imprecisas, notícias falsas e desinformação.

Resumen Objetivo Analizar el público y el desempeño de los influencers digitales de la enfermería en plena era de la desinformación. Métodos Estudio transversal, descriptivo y exploratorio, realizado con datos obtenidos de las redes sociales digitales, de acceso público, de influencers digitales de enfermería. Resultados Fueron mapeados 234 perfiles de influencers digitales del área de enfermería: el 62,39 % tiene entre 10.000 y 100.000 seguidores, el 31,2 % tiene entre 100.000 y 500.000 usuarios, el 5,1 % llega a tener entre 500.000 y un millón de seguidores y el 1,2 % tiene más de un millón de adeptos. Juntos, estos comunicadores llegan a aproximadamente 32 millones de usuarios en las redes sociales. Conclusión Los influencers digitales de enfermería son comunicadores relevantes en las redes sociales, con el potencial de influir en la opinión de un volumen significativo de seguidores que, en conjunto, representan el 10 % de la población brasileña según el último censo realizado por el Instituto Brasileño de Geografía y Estadística. Son actores estratégicos para la difusión de información verídica, completa y confiable sobre enfermería, salud y temas relacionados. Por otro lado, se observa que también son canales para la proliferación de contenidos maliciosos, información imprecisa, noticias falsas y desinformación.

Abstract Objective To analyze the audience and performance of digital nursing influencers in the era of misinformation. Methods Cross-sectional, descriptive, exploratory study conducted with data obtained from publicly accessible online social media of digital nursing influencers. Results 234 profiles of digital influencers in the area of Nursing were mapped: 62.39% have between 10 thousand and 100 thousand followers; 31.2% have between 100 thousand and 500 thousand users; 5.1% reach between 500 thousand and one million followers; and 1.2% have more than one million followers. Together, these communicators reach approximately 32 million users on social media. Conclusion Digital nursing influencers are relevant social media communicators and have the potential to influence the opinion of a significant volume of followers that together represent 10% of the Brazilian population identified by the latest census carried out by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics. They are strategic actors for the dissemination of truthful, complete and reliable information about nursing, health and related topics. On the other hand, they are channels of proliferation of malicious content, inaccurate information, fake news and disinformation.

Hybrid Immunity Results in Enhanced and More Sustained Antibody Responses after the Second Sinovac-CoronaVac Dose in a Brazilian Cohort: DETECTCoV-19 Cohort.

We measured anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody responses before and after CoronaVac (inactivated) vaccination in a case-control study performed in CoronaVac-immunized individuals participating in a longitudinal prospective study of adults in Manaus (DETECTCoV-19). Antibody responses were measured by standard serological immunoassays. Peak anti-S-RBD and neutralizing RBD-ACE2 blocking antibody responses after two doses of CoronaVac vaccine were similar in vaccine breakthrough cases (n = 9) and matched controls (n = 45). Individuals with hybrid immunity resulting from prior SARS-CoV-2 infection followed by vaccination (n = 22) had elevated levels of anti-N, anti-S-RBD and RBD-ACE2 blocking antibodies after the second vaccine dose compared to infection-naïve individuals (n = 48). Post-vaccination SARS-CoV-2-specific antibody responses rapidly waned in infection-naïve individuals. Antibody responses wane after vaccination, making individuals susceptible to infection by SARS-CoV-2 variants. These findings support the need for booster doses after primary vaccination. Population antibody serosurveys provide critical information toward implementing optimal timing of booster doses.

Diminishing the taxonomic gap in the neotropical soldierless termites: descriptions of four new genera and a new Anoplotermes species (Isoptera, Termitidae, Apicotermitinae).

The neotropical Apicotermitinae is a common and widespread clade of mostly soil-feeding soldierless termites. With few exceptions, species of this group were originally assigned to the genus Anoplotermes Müller, 1873. The application of internal worker morphology coupled with genetic sequencing has recently shed light on the true diversity of this subfamily. Herein, Anoplotermessusanae Scheffrahn, Carrijo & Castro, sp. nov. and four new species in four new genera are described: Hirsutitermeskanzakii Scheffrahn, Carrijo & Castro, gen. nov. et sp. nov., Krecekitermesdaironi Scheffrahn, Carrijo & Castro, gen. nov. et sp. nov., Mangolditermescurveileum Scheffrahn, Carrijo & Castro, gen. nov. et sp. nov., and Ourissotermesgiblinorum Scheffrahn, Carrijo & Castro, gen. nov. et sp. nov. Worker descriptions are based mainly on worker gut morphology, including the enteric valve, while imagoes were described based on external characters. A Bayesian phylogenetic tree of New World Apicotermitinae was constructed using the complete mitogenome to infer genera relationships and corroborate the taxonomic decisions. Distribution maps and a dichotomic key to the known Neotropical Apicotermitinae genera are provided.

Nanoporous Amorphous Carbon with Exceptional Ultra-High Strength.

Nanoporous materials show a promising combination of mechanical properties in terms of their relative density; while there are numerous studies based on metallic nanoporous materials, here we focus on amorphous carbon with a bicontinuous nanoporous structure as an alternative to control the mechanical properties for the function of filament composition.Using atomistic simulations, we study the mechanical response of nanoporous amorphous carbon with 50% porosity, with sp3 content ranging from 10% to 50%. Our results show an unusually high strength between 10 and 20 GPa as a function of the %sp3 content. We present an analytical analysis derived from the Gibson-Ashby model for porous solids, and from the He and Thorpe theory for covalent solids to describe Young's modulus and yield strength scaling laws extremely well, revealing also that the high strength is mainly due to the presence of sp3 bonding. Alternatively, we also find two distinct fracture modes: for low %sp3 samples, we observe a ductile-type behavior, while high %sp3 leads to brittle-type behavior due to high high shear strain clusters driving the carbon bond breaking that finally promotes the filament fracture. All in all, nanoporous amorphous carbon with bicontinuous structure is presented as a lightweight material with a tunable elasto-plastic response in terms of porosity and sp3 bonding, resulting in a material with a broad range of possible combinations of mechanical properties.

Asociación entre SARS-COV-2 y enfermedades crónicas en personal de salud. Un programa de medicina preventiva / Association between SARS-COV-2 and chronic diseases in health personnel. A preventive medicine program

RESUMEN Objetivo La infección por SARS-CoV-2 ha sido relacionada con hipertensión, obesidad y diabetes para riesgo de hospitalización y muerte. Con respecto a las enfermedades pulmonares obstructivas, la literatura es diversa; hay variación en la frecuencia de estas y por ende en su relación con la COVID-19. La evidencia disponible únicamente detalla a los pacientes hospitalizados, y es escasa la referida a trabajadores de la salud, por lo que el analizar las principales comorbilidades en este grupo resulta de ayuda para la implementación de programas preventivos. El objetivo de este estudio fue describir la prevalencia y la asociación de diversas comorbilidades con la infección por SARS-CoV-2 en trabajadores de la salud. Métodos Estudio transversal analítico, en trabajadores del principal centro de referencia nacional para enfermedades respiratorias de México, que acudieron a atención para descarte de infección por SARS-CoV-2 mediante un programa preventivo; para el tamaño de muestra se usó fórmula para cálculo de proporciones. Se analizaron medidas de resumen y asociación. Resultados La prevalencia de COVID-19 fue de 22,9 %. Las comorbilidades más frecuentes en cuanto a prevalencia fueron: sobrepeso (29,0 %), obesidad (13,2 %), tabaquismo (8,6 %), hipertensión (5,5 %), rinitis alérgica (3,9 %) y asma (2,8 %). El sobrepeso, la obesidad y la vacunación contra SARS-CoV-2 tuvieron razones de momios para prevalencia de 1,78, 1,72 y 0,43, respectivamente. Las personas vacunadas y con comorbilidades tienen menor duración de la enfermedad (p=0,001). Conclusiones La obesidad y el sobrepeso muestran asociación con SARS-CoV-2, la vacunación es un factor protector, sobre todo en aquellos pacientes con comorbilidades.

ABSTRACT Objective The SARS-CoV-2 infection has been linked to hypertension, obesity and diabetes as risks of hospitalization and death. Regarding obstructive pulmonary diseases, the scientific literature is diverse; finding variation in the frequency of these and therefore their relationship with COVID-19. The available evidence only details hospitalized patients, with insufficient information referring to health workers, so analyzing the main comorbidities in this group is helpful for the implementation and improvement of preventive programs. The objective of this study was to describe the prevalence and association of comorbidities with SARS-CoV-2 infection in health care workers. Methods Analytical cross-sectional study, in workers of the main national reference center for respiratory diseases in Mexico, who came to care to rule out SARS-CoV-2 infection through a preventive program; calculation of proportions was performed for the sample size. Summary and association measures were calculated. Results The prevalence of COVID-19 was 22.9 %. The most frequent comorbidities were: overweight obesity, smoking, hypertension, allergic rhinitis and asthma, with prevalences of 29.0 %, 13.2 %, 8.6 %, 5.5 %, 3.9%, 2.8 % respectively. Overweight, obesity and vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 had Prevalence Ratios of 1.78, 1.72 and 0.43 respectively. Conclusions Obesity and overweight show association with SARS-CoV-2; vaccination is a protective factor, especially in people with comorbidities.

Saponins: Research Progress and Their Potential Role in the Post-COVID-19 Pandemic Era.

In the post-COVID-19 pandemic era, the new global situation and the limited therapeutic management of the disease make it necessary to take urgent measures in more effective therapies and drug development in order to counteract the negative global impacts caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and its new infectious variants. In this context, plant-derived saponins-glycoside-type compounds constituted from a triterpene or steroidal aglycone and one or more sugar residues-may offer fewer side effects and promising beneficial pharmacological activities. This can then be used for the development of potential therapeutic agents against COVID-19, either as a therapy or as a complement to conventional pharmacological strategies for the treatment of the disease and its prevention. The main objective of this review was to examine the primary and current evidence in regard to the therapeutic potential of plant-derived saponins against the COVID-19 disease. Further, the aim was to also focus on those studies that highlight the potential use of saponins as a treatment against SARS-CoV-2. Saponins are antiviral agents that inhibit different pharmacological targets of the virus, as well as exhibit anti-inflammatory and antithrombotic activity in relieving symptoms and clinical complications related to the disease. In addition, saponins also possess immunostimulatory effects, which improve the efficacy and safety of vaccines for prolonging immunogenicity against SARS-CoV-2 and its infectious variants.

Phenolic Profile and Cholinesterase Inhibitory Properties of Three Chilean Altiplano Plants: Clinopodium gilliesii (Benth.) Kuntze [Lamiaceae], Mutisia acuminata Ruiz & Pav. var. hirsuta (Meyen) Cabrera, and Tagetes multiflora (Kunth) [Asteraceae].

This research aimed to identify the phenolic profile and composition of the aerial parts of three native species used in traditional medicine in the Andean Altiplano of northern Chile: Clinopodium gilliesii (Benth.) Kuntze [Lamiaceae] (commonly known as Muña-Muña), Mutisia acuminata Ruiz & Pav. var. hirsuta (Meyen) Cabrera [Asteraceae] (commonly known as Chinchircoma), and Tagetes multiflora (Kunth), [Asteraceae] (commonly known as Gracilis), as well as to evaluate their potential inhibitory effects against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE). Polyphenolic enriched-extracts (PEEs) of the species were prepared and analyzed and the main components were quantified using HPLC-DAD. In total, 30 phenolic compounds were identified and quantified in all species, including simple phenolics, hydroxycinnamic acids, flavan-3-ols (monomers and polymers), flavanones, and flavonols. In addition, other main phenolics from the extracts were tentatively identified by ESI-MS-MS high-resolution analysis. T. multiflora extract showed the greatest anti-AChE and BChE activity in comparison with C. gilliesii and M. acuminata extracts, being the anti-AChE and BChE activity weak in all extracts in comparison to galantamine control. To comprise to better understand the interactions between cholinesterase enzymes and the main phenolics identified in T. multiflora, molecular docking analysis was conducted.

Spectral-Based Classification of Genetically Differentiated Groups in Spring Wheat Grown under Contrasting Environments.

The global concern about the gap between food production and consumption has intensified the research on the genetics, ecophysiology, and breeding of cereal crops. In this sense, several genetic studies have been conducted to assess the effectiveness and sustainability of collections of germplasm accessions of major crops. In this study, a spectral-based classification approach for the assignment of wheat cultivars to genetically differentiated subpopulations (genetic structure) was carried out using a panel of 316 spring bread cultivars grown in two environments with different water regimes (rainfed and fully irrigated). For that, different machine-learning models were trained with foliar spectral and genetic information to assign the wheat cultivars to subpopulations. The results revealed that, in general, the hyperparameters ReLU (as the activation function), adam (as the optimizer), and a size batch of 10 give neural network models better accuracy. Genetically differentiated groups showed smaller differences in mean wavelengths under rainfed than under full irrigation, which coincided with a reduction in clustering accuracy in neural network models. The comparison of models indicated that the Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) was significantly more accurate in classifying individuals into their respective subpopulations, with 92 and 93% of correct individual assignments in water-limited and fully irrigated environments, respectively, whereas 92% (full irrigation) and 78% (rainfed) of cultivars were correctly assigned to their respective classes by the multilayer perceptron method and partial least squares discriminant analysis, respectively. Notably, CNN did not show significant differences between both environments, which indicates stability in the prediction independent of the different water regimes. It is concluded that foliar spectral variation can be used to accurately infer the belonging of a cultivar to its respective genetically differentiated group, even considering radically different environments, which is highly desirable in the context of crop genetic resources management.

Multiple introductions and country-wide spread of DENV-2 genotype II (Cosmopolitan) in Brazil.

Dengue virus serotype 2, genotype Cosmopolitan (DENV-2-GII), is one of the most widespread DENV strains globally. In the USA, DENV-2 epidemics have been dominated by DENV-2 genotype Asian-American (DENV-2-GIII), and the first cases of DENV-2-GII were only described in 2019, in Peru, and in 2021 in Brazil. To gain new information about the circulation of DENV-2-GII in Brazil, we sequenced 237 DENV-2 confirmed cases sampled between March 2021 and March 2023 and revealed that DENV-2-GII is already present in all geographic regions of Brazil. The phylogeographic analysis inferred that DENV-2-GII was introduced at least four times in Brazil, between May 2020 and August 2022, generating multiple clades that spread throughout the country with different success. Despite multiple introductions of DENV-2-GII, analysis of the country-wide laboratory surveillance data showed that the Brazilian dengue epidemic in 2022 was dominated by DENV-1 in most states. We hypothesize that massive circulation of DENV-2-GIII in previous years in Brazil might have created a population immune barrier against symptomatic homotypic reinfections by DENV-2-GII, leading to sustained cryptic circulation in asymptomatic cases and localized outbreaks of this new genotype. In summary, our study stresses the importance of arboviral genomic surveillance to close monitoring and better understanding the potential impact of DENV-2-GII in the coming years.

Pediatric central nervous system infections in the Amazon: clinical and laboratory profiles.

Background: Central nervous system (CNS) infections are important causes of mortality and morbidity in children, and they are related to severe problems such as hearing loss, neurological sequelae, and death. The objective was to describe clinical and laboratory exam profiles of children who were diagnosed with CNS infections. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study based on medical records, which included pediatric patients aged from 3 months to 15 years, with a clinical suspicion of CNS infection between January 2014 to December 2019. The pathogens were confirmed in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples using Gram staining, cell culture, molecular diagnostics (PCR and qPCR), and serology. Results: Out of the 689 enrolled patients, 108 (15.6%) had laboratory-confirmed infections in CSF. The most common bacterial pathogens isolated from the culture were Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C in 19, Streptococcus pneumoniae in 11, and Haemophilus influenzae in seven samples. The viruses identified were Enterovirus, Cytomegalovirus, Varicella-zoster virus, Epstein-Barr virus, and arbovirus. No patient was found to be positive for Herpes simplex virus 1 and 2. Patients with viral infections showed altered levels of consciousness (p = 0.001) when compared to bacterial infections. Conclusion: This study shows the presence of important vaccine-preventable pathogens, and different families of viruses causing CNS infections in the pediatric patients of Manaus.

Analysis of cervical sagittal balance in patients neck pain and no neck pain / Análise do equilíbrio sagital cervical em pacientes com e sem cervicalgia / Análisis del equilibrio sagital cervical en pacientes con y sin cervicalgia

ABSTRACT Introduction: Sagittal balance was measured by Hardacker`s et al. using the occipital method COBB C1-C2, C2-C3, C3-C4, C4-C5, C5-C6, C6-C7 in a sample of asymptomatic patients without neck and shoulder pain. In other recent studies, measurements of cervical sagittal balance included several radiographic parameters. Objective: To compare the cervical sagittal balance in groups of patients with and without neck pain submitted to cervical radiography with the upper limbs in flexion. Methods: This is a cross-sectional, quantitative, prospective, descriptive study with radiographic analysis of 50 adults aged between 30 to 70 years old. The group was divided into Group 1: without neck pain, and Group 2: with neck pain. All answered a questionnaire about age and the presence or absence of neck pain. Exclusion criteria were: inadequate X-Ray image, deformity or previous spine surgery, limited shoulder mobility, and individuals younger than 30 and older than 70. The radiographic parameters evaluated were: COBB, TIA ( THORACIC INLET ANGLE), T1 SLOPE, NECKTILT, and COG-C7 with no neck pain. α = 5% (significance when p <0.05). Results: The MANN WHITNEY nonparametric test showed no significant differences between Cobb GROUPS (p= 0.7452), T1 SLOPE GROUPS (p=0.1410), NECKTILT GROUPS (p=0.0852) and GROUPS THORACIC INLET ANGLE (p=0.1789). Conclusion: There was a significant difference only between COG-C7 GROUPS (cm) (p=0.0013). The analysis of the obtained data showed statistical significance in the variation in the COG-C7 groups. Level of Evidence II; Prospective comparative study.

Resumo: Introdução: O equilíbrio sagital foi medido por Hardacker et al. usando o método occipital COBB C1-C2, C2-C3, C3-C4, C4-C5, C5-C6, C6-C7 em uma amostra de pacientes assintomáticos sem dor no pescoço e no ombro. Em outros estudos recentes, as medidas do equilíbrio sagital cervical incluíram vários parâmetros radiográficos. Objetivo: Comparar o equilíbrio sagital cervical em grupos de pacientes com cervicalgia e sem cervicalgia submetidos à radiografia da cervical, com os membros superiores em flexão. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo transversal, quantitativo, prospectivo, descritivo, com análise radiográfica de 50 adultos, com idade entre 30 e 70 anos. O grupo foi dividido em Grupo 1: sem cervicalgia e Grupo 2: com cervicalgia. Todos responderam a um questionário sobre idade e presença ou não de dor cervical. Os critérios de exclusão foram: imagem inadequada, deformidade ou cirurgia prévia da coluna, mobilidade limitada do ombro e indivíduos com idade inferior a 30 e superior a 70 anos. Os parâmetros radiográficos avaliados foram: COBB, TIA (ANG THORACIC INLET), T1 SLOPE, NECKTILT e COG-C7 com e sem cervicalgia. α = 5% (significância quando p < 0,05). Resultados: O teste não paramétrico de MANN WHITNEY não mostrou diferenças significativas entre os GRUPOS Cobb (p= 0,7452), GRUPOS SLOPE T1 (p=0,1410), GRUPOS NECKTILT (p=0,0852) e GRUPOS TIA (p=0,1789). Conclusão: Houve diferença significativa apenas entre os GRUPOS COG-C7 (cm) (p=0,0013). A análise dos dados obtidos demonstrou significância estatística em relação à variação nos grupos COG-C7. Nível de evidência II; Estudo comparativo prospectivo.

Resumen: Introcucción: El equilibrio sagital fue medido por Hardacker et al. utilizando el método occipital COBB C1-C2, C2-C3, C3-C4, C4-C5, C5-C6, C6-C7 en una muestra de pacientes asintomáticos sin dolor del cuello y hombros. En otros estudios recientes, las mediciones del equilibrio sagital cervical incluyeron varios parámetros radiográficos. Objetivo: Comparar el equilibrio sagital cervical en grupos de pacientes con y sin cervicalgia sometidos a radiografía cervical, con los miembros superiores en flexión. Métodos: Se trata de un estudio transversal, cuantitativo, prospectivo, descriptivo, con análisis radiográfico de 50 adultos, con edades entre 30 y 70 años. El grupo compartió el Grupo 1: Sin dolor del cuello y el Grupo 2: Dolor de cuello. Todos respondieron un cuestionario sobre edad, dolor de cuello o ausencia de dolor de cuello. Los criterios de exclusión fueron: imagen inadecuada, deformidad o cirugía previa de columna, movilidad limitada del hombro y menores de 30 años y mayores de 70 años. Los parámetros radiográficos evaluados fueron: Cobb, TIA (ANG TORACIC INLET), T1 SLOPE, NECKTILT y COG-C7 con y sin cervicalgia. α = 5% (significación cuando p < 0,05). Resultados: La prueba no paramétrica de MANN WHITNEY no mostró diferencias significativas entre los GRUPOS COBB (p=0,7452), GRUPOS T1 SLOPE (p=0,1410), GRUPOS NECKTILT (p=0,0852) y GRUPOS ANG TORACIC INLET (p=0,1789). Conclusión: Hubo diferencia significativa solo entre los GRUPOS COG-C7 (cm) (p=0,0013). El análisis de los datos obtenidos mostró significancia estática en relación a la variación en los grupos COG-C7. Nivel de Evidencia II; Estudio prospectivo comparativo.

Temporal trends and spatial clusters of gastric cancer mortality in Brazil.

Objective: To identify nationwide temporal trends and spatial patterns of gastric cancer-related mortality in Brazil. Methods: An ecological study was performed using death certificates registered from 2000 to 2019 in which gastric cancer was recorded as any cause of death (an underlying or associated cause). Trends over time were assessed using joinpoint regression models. Spatial and spatiotemporal clusters were identified by Kulldorff's space-time scan statistics to identify high-risk areas. Results: In 276 897/22 663 091 (1.22%) death certificates gastric cancer was recorded as any cause of death. Age-adjusted gastric cancer-related mortality increased significantly over time (annual percentage change [APC]: 0.7, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.5 to 0.8). The increase in mortality was more pronounced in the less-developed North and Northeast Regions (North Region, APC: 3.1, 95% CI: 2.7 to 3.5; Northeast Region, APC: 3.1, 95% CI: 2.5 to 3.7). Eight spatiotemporally associated high-risk clusters of gastric cancer-related mortality were identified in the North, South, Northeast and Central-West Regions, as well as a major cluster covering a wide geographical range in the South and Southeast Regions of Brazil during the first years of the study period (2000 to 2009). Conclusions: More recently, during 2010 to 2019, clusters of gastric cancer have been identified in the Northeast Region. The nationwide increase in mortality in this analysis of 20 years of data highlights the persistently high burden of gastric cancer in Brazil, especially in socioeconomically disadvantaged regions. The identification of these areas where the population is at high risk for gastric cancer-related mortality emphasizes the need to develop effective and intersectoral control measures.

Temporal trends and spatial clusters of gastric cancer mortality in Brazil

[ABSTRACT]. Objective. To identify nationwide temporal trends and spatial patterns of gastric cancer–related mortality in Brazil. Methods. An ecological study was performed using death certificates registered from 2000 to 2019 in which gastric cancer was recorded as any cause of death (an underlying or associated cause). Trends over time were assessed using joinpoint regression models. Spatial and spatiotemporal clusters were identified by Kulldorff’s space–time scan statistics to identify high-risk areas. Results. In 276 897/22 663 091 (1.22%) death certificates gastric cancer was recorded as any cause of death. Age-adjusted gastric cancer–related mortality increased significantly over time (annual percentage change [APC]: 0.7, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.5 to 0.8). The increase in mortality was more pronounced in the less-developed North and Northeast Regions (North Region, APC: 3.1, 95% CI: 2.7 to 3.5; Northeast Region, APC: 3.1, 95% CI: 2.5 to 3.7). Eight spatiotemporally associated high-risk clusters of gastric cancer–related mortality were identified in the North, South, Northeast and Central–West Regions, as well as a major cluster covering a wide geographical range in the South and Southeast Regions of Brazil during the first years of the study period (2000 to 2009). Conclusions. More recently, during 2010 to 2019, clusters of gastric cancer have been identified in the Northeast Region. The nationwide increase in mortality in this analysis of 20 years of data highlights the persistently high burden of gastric cancer in Brazil, especially in socioeconomically disadvantaged regions. The identification of these areas where the population is at high risk for gastric cancer–related mortality emphasizes the need to develop effective and intersectoral control measures.

[RESUMEN]. Objetivo. Identificar las tendencias temporales y los patrones espaciales de la mortalidad relacionada con el cáncer gástrico a nivel nacional en Brasil. Métodos. Se realizó un estudio ecológico, empleando certificados de defunción registrados entre los años 2000 y 2019 en los que se notificó cáncer gástrico como cualquier causa de muerte (subyacente o asociada). Se evaluaron las tendencias con el transcurso del tiempo mediante modelos de regresión de punto de inflexión (joinpoint). Se identificaron los conglomerados espaciales y espaciotemporales mediante la técnica estadística de exploración espaciotemporal de Kulldorff para determinar cuáles eran las áreas de alto riesgo. Resultados. En 276 897 de 22 663 091 certificados de defunción (1,22%), se registró cáncer gástrico como cualquier causa de muerte. La mortalidad relacionada con el cáncer gástrico ajustada por edad aumentó significativamente con el tiempo (cambio porcentual anual: 0,7; intervalo de confianza [IC] del 95%: 0,5 a 0,8). El aumento de la mortalidad fue más acusado en la regiones Norte y Noreste, menos desarrolladas, (región Norte, cambio porcentual anual: 3,1, IC del 95%: 2,7 a 3,5; región Noreste, cambio porcentual anual: 3,1, IC del 95%: 2,5 a 3,7). Durante los primeros años del período de estudio (del 2000 al 2009), se identificaron ocho conglomerados de alto riesgo de mortalidad relacionada con el cáncer gástrico y con asociación espacial y temporal en las regiones Norte, Sur, Noreste y Centro-Oeste, así como un conglomerado importante que cubría un amplio rango geográfico en las regiones Sur y Sureste de Brasil. Conclusiones. Más recientemente, del 2010 al 2019, se han identificado conglomerados de cáncer gástrico en la región noreste. El aumento nacional de la mortalidad en este análisis de veinte años de datos destaca la carga persistentemente alta del cáncer gástrico en Brasil, especialmente en las regiones socioeconómicamente desfavorecidas. La identificación de estas áreas en que la población presenta un alto riesgo de mortalidad relacionada con el cáncer gástrico subraya la necesidad de elaborar medidas de control intersectoriales y efectivas.

[RESUMO]. Objetivo. Identificar tendências temporais e padrões espaciais de mortalidade relacionada ao câncer gástrico em todo o Brasil. Métodos. Realizou-se um estudo ecológico a partir de declarações de óbito registradas de 2000 a 2019 em que o câncer gástrico foi indicado como qualquer causa de morte (causa básica ou associada). As tendências ao longo do tempo foram avaliadas a partir de modelos de regressão por pontos de inflexão (joinpoint). Os aglomerados espaciais e espaço-temporais foram identificados por estatística de varredura espaçotemporal de Kulldorff para detectar áreas de alto risco. Resultados. O câncer gástrico foi registrado como qualquer causa de morte em 276.897/22.663.091 (1,22%) declarações de óbito. A mortalidade relacionada ao câncer gástrico ajustada por idade aumentou significativamente ao longo do tempo [variação percentual anual (VPA): 0,7, intervalo de confiança (IC) de 95%: 0,5 a 0,8]. O aumento da mortalidade foi mais acentuado no Norte e Nordeste, regiões menos desenvolvidas (região Norte, VPA: 3,1, IC 95%: 2,7 a 3,5; região Nordeste, VPA: 3,1, IC 95%: 2,5 a 3,7). Identificaram-se oito aglomerados de alto risco de mortalidade relacionada ao câncer gástrico em associação espaço-temporal nas regiões Norte, Sul, Nordeste e Centro-Oeste, além de um grande aglomerado que abrangia uma larga faixa geográfica nas regiões Sul e Sudeste do Brasil durante os primeiros anos do período de estudo (2000 a 2009). Conclusões. Mais recentemente, no período de 2010 a 2019, identificaram-se aglomerados de câncer gástrico na região Nordeste. O aumento da mortalidade em todo o país nesta análise de dados relativos a 20 anos evidencia a persistência da alta carga de câncer gástrico no Brasil, sobretudo em regiões desfavorecidas do ponto de vista socioeconômico. A identificação dessas áreas em que a população corre alto risco de morte relacionada ao câncer gástrico enfatiza a necessidade de desenvolver medidas de controle efetivas e intersetoriais.