Impact and evolution of risk factors associated with hospitalization and mortality due to COVID-19 during the six epidemic waves in Mexico.

Objectives: This study aims to analyze and compare the main risk factors for hospitalization and deaths due to COVID-19 during the six epidemic waves from February 2020 to June 2023 in Mexico. Methods: First, a descriptive analysis of the risk factors that led to hospitalization and mortality due to COVID-19 was performed. Next, the degree of relationship of each risk factor with hospitalization and death was determined using Cramer's V coefficient. Finally, logistic regression models were applied to estimate the odds ratios of the most statistically significant risk factors for hospitalization and mortality. Results: A direct relationship between age and the possibility of hospitalization and death due to COVID-19 was found. Moreover, the comorbidities most likely to lead to hospitalization and death were pneumonia, hypertension, diabetes, obesity and CKD. It is also remarkable that the second factor of death is endotracheal intubation. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico revealed the reality of an epidemiological scenario where infectious diseases and chronic degenerative diseases coexist and interrelate.

Microbiological characteristics of bloodstream infections in a reference hospital in northeastern Brazil / Características microbiológicas de infecções da corrente sanguínea em hospital de referência no nordeste do Brasil

Abstract Routine blood culture is used for the detection of bloodstream infections by aerobic and anaerobic bacteria and by common pathogenic yeasts. A retrospective study was conducted in a public hospital in Maceió-AL, by collecting data of all medical records with positive blood cultures. Out of the 2,107 blood cultures performed, 17% were positive with Staphylococcus coagulase negative (51.14%), followed by Staphylococcus aureus (11.21%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (6.32%). Gram-positive bacteria predominated among positive blood cultures, highlighting the group of Staphylococcus coagulase-negative. While Gram-negative bacteria had a higher number of species among positive blood cultures.

Resumo A cultura sanguínea de rotina é usada para a detecção de infecções na corrente sanguínea por bactérias aeróbias e anaeróbias e por leveduras patogênicas comuns. Estudo retrospectivo realizado em hospital público de Maceió-AL, por meio da coleta de dados de todos os prontuários com culturas sanguíneas positivas. Das 2.107 culturas sanguíneas realizadas, 17% foram positivas com Staphylococcus coagulase negativo (51,14%), seguido por Staphylococcus aureus (11,21%) e Klebsiella pneumoniae (6,32%). As bactérias Gram-positiva predominaram entre as culturas de sangue positivas, destacando-se o grupo das Staphylococcus coagulase-negativo. Enquanto as bactérias Gram-negativas apresentaram um número maior de espécies entre as culturas de sangue positivas.

Spatio-temporal analysis of the visceral leishmaniasis in the state of Alagoas, Brazil / Análise espacial-temporal da leishmaniose visceral no estado de Alagoas

Visceral leishmaniosis is a neglected tropical disease. We evaluated the spatial distribution of cases of visceral leishmaniosis in the state of Alagoas, Brazil. All cases of VL, registered by the health department, were analyzed and georeferenced. Results: Between 2008 and 2017, 97.1% of the municipalities presented sporadic classification of transmission. With temporal evolution, the incidence of cases of visceral leishmaniosis was concentrated in most municipalities in the microregion of Santana do Ipanema-AL. Space-time analysis, if considered, may promote the improvement of surveillance and control actions of visceral leishmaniosis.

A leishmaniose visceral é uma doença tropical negligenciada. Foram avaliadas a distribuição espacial dos casos de leishmaniose visceral no estado de Alagoas. Todos os casos de LV, registrados pela secretaria de saúde, foram analisados e georreferenciados. Entre 2008 e 2017, 97,1% dos municípios apresentaram classificação esporádica de transmissão. Com a evolução temporal, a incidência de casos de leishmaniose visceral se concentrou na maioria dos municípios da microrregião de Santana do Ipanema-AL. A análise espaço-tempo, se considerada, pode promover o aprimoramento das ações de vigilância e controle da leishmaniose visceral.

Microbiological characteristics of bloodstream infections in a reference hospital in northeastern Brazil

Abstract Routine blood culture is used for the detection of bloodstream infections by aerobic and anaerobic bacteria and by common pathogenic yeasts. A retrospective study was conducted in a public hospital in Maceió-AL, by collecting data of all medical records with positive blood cultures. Out of the 2,107 blood cultures performed, 17% were positive with Staphylococcus coagulase negative (51.14%), followed by Staphylococcus aureus (11.21%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (6.32%). Gram-positive bacteria predominated among positive blood cultures, highlighting the group of Staphylococcus coagulase-negative. While Gram-negative bacteria had a higher number of species among positive blood cultures.

Resumo A cultura sanguínea de rotina é usada para a detecção de infecções na corrente sanguínea por bactérias aeróbias e anaeróbias e por leveduras patogênicas comuns. Estudo retrospectivo realizado em hospital público de Maceió-AL, por meio da coleta de dados de todos os prontuários com culturas sanguíneas positivas. Das 2.107 culturas sanguíneas realizadas, 17% foram positivas com Staphylococcus coagulase negativo (51,14%), seguido por Staphylococcus aureus (11,21%) e Klebsiella pneumoniae (6,32%). As bactérias Gram-positiva predominaram entre as culturas de sangue positivas, destacando-se o grupo das Staphylococcus coagulase-negativo. Enquanto as bactérias Gram-negativas apresentaram um número maior de espécies entre as culturas de sangue positivas.

Spatio-temporal analysis of the visceral leishmaniasis in the state of Alagoas, Brazil

Abstract Visceral leishmaniosis is a neglected tropical disease. We evaluated the spatial distribution of cases of visceral leishmaniosis in the state of Alagoas, Brazil. All cases of VL, registered by the health department, were analyzed and georeferenced. Results: Between 2008 and 2017, 97.1% of the municipalities presented sporadic classification of transmission. With temporal evolution, the incidence of cases of visceral leishmaniosis was concentrated in most municipalities in the microregion of Santana do Ipanema-AL. Space-time analysis, if considered, may promote the improvement of surveillance and control actions of visceral leishmaniosis.

Resumo A leishmaniose visceral é uma doença tropical negligenciada. Foram avaliadas a distribuição espacial dos casos de leishmaniose visceral no estado de Alagoas. Todos os casos de LV, registrados pela secretaria de saúde, foram analisados e georreferenciados. Entre 2008 e 2017, 97,1% dos municípios apresentaram classificação esporádica de transmissão. Com a evolução temporal, a incidência de casos de leishmaniose visceral se concentrou na maioria dos municípios da microrregião de Santana do Ipanema-AL. A análise espaço-tempo, se considerada, pode promover o aprimoramento das ações de vigilância e controle da leishmaniose visceral.

Salivary biomarkers present in patients with periodontitis without clinical distinction: findings from a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: A new classification for periodontitis has been adopted in clinical practice. However, there are still discussions regarding this new classification and difficulties in its adoption, both by professionals and researchers. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate which salivary biomarkers are present in periodontitis, following the new classification of periodontal diseases through meta-analysis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A literature search was carried out in the scientific databases: PubMed, Scielo and Google scholar to select studies. The selection of studies was followed by two authors upon reading of the title, abstract and full text. The necessary data were collected and statistical analyses were performed using the Review Manager statistical software version 5.4, with calculation of Mean Difference, heterogeneity (I²) and funnel plot with P < 0.05. RESULTS: After following the selection criteria, 9 articles were selected for comparison. The studies address the presence of biomarkers in the saliva of patients with periodontitis and their possible use in the monitoring and diagnosis of the disease. For the meta-analytic comparison, a sample size of 1,983 individuals was used. Statistical analyses showed that nitric oxide, IL-6, IL-1B and osteoprotegerin are substances that are significantly present in patients with periodontitis (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: IL-6, nitric oxide, IL-1B, TNF-α and osteoprotegerin are among the most present biomarkers in patients with periodontitis, and may be used in the future as a monitoring of periodontal disease. The present study also revealed that there was no statistically significant difference in the concentration of these biomarkers for clinical distinction from periodontitis.

Role of Brazilian bats in the epidemiological cycle of potentially zoonotic pathogens.

Bats (Chiroptera) are flying mammals of great biodiversity and habits. These characteristics contribute for them being natural reservoirs and part of the epidemiological cycle of several potentially zoonotic pathogens, such as viruses, protozoa, fungi and bacteria. Brazil hosts approximately 15% of the world's bat diversity, with 181 distinct species, 68 genera and 9 families. About 60% of infectious diseases in humans are of zoonotic origin and, in the last decades, the detection of zoonotic pathogens in bats and their environment has been reported, such as Rabies virus (RABV) and Histoplasma capsulatum. Thus, the aim of this work was to review the reports of zoonotic pathogens associated with bats in Brazil in the past ten years. We reviewed the main pathogenic microorganisms described and the species of bats most frequently involved in the epidemiological cycles of these zoonotic agents. The obtained data show an upward trend in the detection of zoonotic pathogens in Brazilian bats, such as RABV, Bartonella sp., Histoplasma capsulatum and Leishmania spp., with emphasis on the bat species Artibeus lituratus, Carollia perspicillata, Desmodus rotundus and Molossus molossus. These findings highlight the importance of monitoring bat-associated microrganisms to early identify pathogens that may threaten bat populations, including potentially zoonotic microrganisms, emphasizing the importance of the One Health approach to prevent and mitigate the risks of the emergence of zoonotic diseases.

Length-weight relationships of fish from sandy beaches / Relação peso-comprimento de 16 espécies de peixes que ocorrem perto de praias arenosas ao longo da bacia do baixo rio Negro na Amazônia brasileira

This study estimated the length–weight relationships of 16 fish species occurring close to the shores of sandy beaches along the lower Negro River basin, Brazilian Amazon. The specimens were captured for one day each month, in October to November 2016, early in the morning and early evening, using trawl net (20 m length and 3.5 m height, 5 mm mesh between opposite knots). Measurements were taken for standard length (SL 0.1 cm precision) and total weight (TW 0.01 g precision). The parameters a and b of the equation WT = a.LTb were estimated. The a values ranged from 0.0018 to 0.0226 and b values ranged from 2.5271 to 3.3244. This study also provides new data on of maximum lengths for six species, Amazonsprattus scintilla, Brycon pesu, Moenkhausia megalops, Pachyurus paucirastrus, Reganella depressa and Trachydoras microstomus, and new reports of the LWRs parameters of 15 fish species.(AU)

Este estudo estimou as relações comprimento-peso de 16 espécies de peixes que ocorrem às margens de praias arenosas ao longo da bacia do baixo Rio Negro, Amazônia brasileira. As espécies foram capturadas durante um dia de cada mês, de outubro a novembro de 2016, no início da manhã e no início da noite, usando rede de cerco (20 m de comprimento e 3,5 m de altura, 5 malha mm entre nós opostos). As medidas foram feitas para comprimento padrão (SL - precisão de 0,1 cm) e peso total (TW - precisão de 0,01 g). Os parâmetros a e b da equação WT = a.LTb foram estimados. Os valores de a variaram de 0,0018 a 0,0226 e os valores de b variaram de 2,5271 a 3,3244. Este estudo também fornece novos dados sobre comprimentos máximos para seis espécies, Amazonsprattus scintilla, Brycon pesu, Moenkhausia megalops, Pachyurus paucirastrus, Reganella depressa e Trachydoras microstomus, e novos reportes dos parâmetros da LWRs de 15 espécies de peixes.(AU)

Length-weight relationships of fish from sandy beaches / Relação peso-comprimento de 16 espécies de peixes que ocorrem perto de praias arenosas ao longo da bacia do baixo rio Negro na Amazônia brasileira

Abstract This study estimated the length-weight relationships of 16 fish species occurring close to the shores of sandy beaches along the lower Negro River basin, Brazilian Amazon. The specimens were captured for one day each month, in October to November 2016, early in the morning and early evening, using trawl net (20 m taken for standard length (SL - 0.1 cm precision) and total weight (TW - 0.01 g precision). The parameters a and b of the equation WT = a.LTb were estimated. The a values ranged from 0.0018 to 0.0226 and b values ranged from 2.5271 to 3.3244. This study also provides new data on of maximum lengths for six species, Amazonsprattus scintilla, Brycon pesu, Moenkhausia megalops, Pachyurus paucirastrus, Reganella depressa and Trachydoras microstomus, and new reports of the LWRs parameters of 15 fish species.

Resumo Este estudo estimou as relações comprimento-peso de 16 espécies de peixes que ocorrem às margens de praias arenosas ao longo da bacia do baixo Rio Negro, Amazônia brasileira. As espécies foram capturadas durante um dia de cada mês, de outubro a novembro de 2016, no início da manhã e no início da noite, usando rede de cerco (20 m de comprimento e 3,5 m de altura, 5 malha mm entre nós opostos). As medidas foram feitas para comprimento padrão (SL - precisão de 0,1 cm) e peso total (TW - precisão de 0,01 g). Os parâmetros a e b da equação WT = a.LTb foram estimados. Os valores de a variaram de 0,0018 a 0,0226 e os valores de b variaram de 2,5271 a 3,3244. Este estudo também fornece novos dados sobre comprimentos máximos para seis espécies, Amazonsprattus scintilla, Brycon pesu, Moenkhausia megalops, Pachyurus paucirastrus, Reganella depressa e Trachydoras microstomus, e novos reportes dos parâmetros da LWRs de 15 espécies de peixes.

Length-weight relationships of fish from sandy beaches / Relação peso-comprimento de 16 espécies de peixes que ocorrem perto de praias arenosas ao longo da bacia do baixo rio Negro na Amazônia brasileira

This study estimated the length–weight relationships of 16 fish species occurring close to the shores of sandy beaches along the lower Negro River basin, Brazilian Amazon. The specimens were captured for one day each month, in October to November 2016, early in the morning and early evening, using trawl net (20 m length and 3.5 m height, 5 mm mesh between opposite knots). Measurements were taken for standard length (SL – 0.1 cm precision) and total weight (TW – 0.01 g precision). The parameters a and b of the equation WT = a.LTb were estimated. The a values ranged from 0.0018 to 0.0226 and b values ranged from 2.5271 to 3.3244. This study also provides new data on of maximum lengths for six species, Amazonsprattus scintilla, Brycon pesu, Moenkhausia megalops, Pachyurus paucirastrus, Reganella depressa and Trachydoras microstomus, and new reports of the LWRs parameters of 15 fish species.

Este estudo estimou as relações comprimento-peso de 16 espécies de peixes que ocorrem às margens de praias arenosas ao longo da bacia do baixo Rio Negro, Amazônia brasileira. As espécies foram capturadas durante um dia de cada mês, de outubro a novembro de 2016, no início da manhã e no início da noite, usando rede de cerco (20 m de comprimento e 3,5 m de altura, 5 malha mm entre nós opostos). As medidas foram feitas para comprimento padrão (SL - precisão de 0,1 cm) e peso total (TW - precisão de 0,01 g). Os parâmetros a e b da equação WT = a.LTb foram estimados. Os valores de a variaram de 0,0018 a 0,0226 e os valores de b variaram de 2,5271 a 3,3244. Este estudo também fornece novos dados sobre comprimentos máximos para seis espécies, Amazonsprattus scintilla, Brycon pesu, Moenkhausia megalops, Pachyurus paucirastrus, Reganella depressa e Trachydoras microstomus, e novos reportes dos parâmetros da LWRs de 15 espécies de peixes.

Length-weight relationships of fish from sandy beaches

Abstract This study estimated the lengthweight relationships of 16 fish species occurring close to the shores of sandy beaches along the lower Negro River basin, Brazilian Amazon. The specimens were captured for one day each month, in October to November 2016, early in the morning and early evening, using trawl net (20 m taken for standard length (SL 0.1 cm precision) and total weight (TW 0.01 g precision). The parameters a and b of the equation WT = a.LTb were estimated. The a values ranged from 0.0018 to 0.0226 and b values ranged from 2.5271 to 3.3244. This study also provides new data on of maximum lengths for six species, Amazonsprattus scintilla, Brycon pesu, Moenkhausia megalops, Pachyurus paucirastrus, Reganella depressa and Trachydoras microstomus, and new reports of the LWRs parameters of 15 fish species.

Resumo Este estudo estimou as relações comprimento-peso de 16 espécies de peixes que ocorrem às margens de praias arenosas ao longo da bacia do baixo Rio Negro, Amazônia brasileira. As espécies foram capturadas durante um dia de cada mês, de outubro a novembro de 2016, no início da manhã e no início da noite, usando rede de cerco (20 m de comprimento e 3,5 m de altura, 5 malha mm entre nós opostos). As medidas foram feitas para comprimento padrão (SL - precisão de 0,1 cm) e peso total (TW - precisão de 0,01 g). Os parâmetros a e b da equação WT = a.LTb foram estimados. Os valores de a variaram de 0,0018 a 0,0226 e os valores de b variaram de 2,5271 a 3,3244. Este estudo também fornece novos dados sobre comprimentos máximos para seis espécies, Amazonsprattus scintilla, Brycon pesu, Moenkhausia megalops, Pachyurus paucirastrus, Reganella depressa e Trachydoras microstomus, e novos reportes dos parâmetros da LWRs de 15 espécies de peixes.

The influence of season, environment, sex, and body mass on biochemical profile of the freshwater turtle Phrynops geoffroanus (Schweigger, 1812) / [Influência da estação, do ambiente, do sexo e da massa corporal no perfil bioquímico do cágado Phrynops geoffroanus (Schweigger, 1812)]

We analyzed the influence of the season, the environment, and the sex, as well as the relation of body mass (BM) in the serum albumin (ALB), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatinine (C), creatine kinase (CK), phosphorus (P), total calcium (tCa), total protein (TP), urea (U), uric acid (UA), calcium:phosphorus ratio (Ca:P), and the globulin value (GV) of thirty individuals of Phrynops geoffroanus of the urban area of Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brazil. The modeling of biochemical parameters was performed using the Generalized Additive Models for Location, Scale and Shape (GAMLSS) to verify the influence of variables considered in this study on each of the biochemical parameters analyzed. The season influenced AST, CK, C, tCa, Ca:P and UA. The environment influenced tCa, Ca:P, U and UA. On the other hand, CK, tCa, P, Ca:P and U differed significantly between males and females. Regarding the BM, a relationship of this variable was observed with CK, C, tCa, P, U, UA and Ca:P. We concluded that the season, environment, sex, and body mass can influence the biochemical parameters of P. geoffroanus, and these factors should be routinely considered in the interpretation of laboratory results.

Analisou-se a influência da estação, do ambiente e do sexo, assim como a relação da massa corporal (BM) nos níveis sorológicos de albumina (ALB), aspartato aminotransferase (AST), creatinina (C), creatina quinase (CK), fósforo (P), cálcio total (tCa), sólidos totais (TS), ureia (U), ácido úrico (UA), relação cálcio:fósforo (Ca:P), e do valor da globulina (GV) de Phrynops geoffroanus da área urbana de Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brasil. A modelagem dos parâmetros bioquímicos foi realizada utilizando-se os modelos aditivos generalizados para locação, escala e forma (GAMLSS) para verificar a influência das variáveis consideradas neste estudo em cada um dos parâmetros bioquímicos analisados. A estação sazonal influenciou os níveis de AST, CK, C, tCa, Ca:P e UA. O ambiente foi capaz de influenciar tCa, Ca:P, U e UA. Por outro lado, CK, tCa, P, Ca:P e U diferiram significativamente entre machos e fêmeas. Em relação à BM, observou-se relação dessa variável com CK, C, tCa, P, U, UA e Ca:P. Concluiu-se que a estação sazonal, o ambiente, o sexo e a massa corporal são capazes de influenciar os parâmetros bioquímicos de P. geoffroanus e que esses fatores devem ser rotineiramente considerados na interpretação dos resultados laboratoriais.

EEF1A1 transcription cofactor gene polymorphism is associated with muscle gene expression and residual feed intake in Nelore cattle.

Cis-acting effects of noncoding variants on gene expression and regulatory molecules constitute a significant factor for phenotypic variation in complex traits. To provide new insights into the impacts of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on transcription factors (TFs) and transcription cofactors (TcoF) coding genes, we carried out a multi-omic analysis to identify cis-regulatory effects of SNPs on these genes' expression in muscle and describe their association with feed efficiency-related traits in Nelore cattle. As a result, we identified one SNP, the rs137256008C > T, predicted to impact the EEF1A1 gene expression (ß = 3.02; P-value = 3.51E-03) and the residual feed intake trait (ß = - 3.47; P-value = 0.02). This SNP was predicted to modify transcription factor sites and overlaps with several QTL for feed efficiency traits. In addition, co-expression network analyses showed that animals containing the T allele of the rs137256008 SNP may be triggering changes in the gene network. Therefore, our analyses reinforce and contribute to a better understanding of the biological mechanisms underlying gene expression control of feed efficiency traits in bovines. The cis-regulatory SNP can be used as biomarker for feed efficiency in Nelore cattle.

Short isocapnic hyperoxia affects indices of vascular remodeling and intercellular adhesion molecules in healthy men.

In preparation for tracheal intubation during induction of anesthesia, the patient may be ventilated with 100% oxygen. To investigate the impact of acute isocapnic hyperoxia on endothelial activation and vascular remodeling, ten healthy young men (24±3 years) were exposed to 5-min normoxia (21% O2) and 10-min hyperoxia trials (100% O2). During hyperoxia, intercellular adhesion molecules (ICAM-1) (hyperoxia: 4.16±0.85 vs normoxia: 3.51±0.84 ng/mL, P=0.04) and tissue inhibitor matrix metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1) (hyperoxia: 8.40±3.84 vs normoxia: 5.73±2.15 pg/mL, P=0.04) increased, whereas matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-9) activity (hyperoxia: 0.53±0.11 vs normoxia: 0.68±0.18 A.U., P=0.03) decreased compared to the normoxia trial. We concluded that even short exposure to 100% oxygen may affect endothelial activation and vascular remodeling.

Epigenetic studies in insects and the valproic acid perspective.

Valproic acid in association with sodium valproate (VPA) is an important anticonvulsant drug used for decades to treat neurological disorders. VPA also acts as an epigenetic modulator by inhibiting histone deacetylases, permitting histone acetylation, affecting the DNA and histone methylation status and gene expression, and inducing chromatin remodeling. Insects represent an important animal model for studies in several areas of science. Their high phenotypic plasticity makes them alternative models for epigenetic studies. This brief review emphasizes recent reports on insect epigenetics and the contribution of studies on the VPA action in insects, including effects on epigenetic markers, extending the pharmacological understanding of the potential of this drug, and demonstrating the usefulness of insects as an alternative animal model to drug studies.

Spatio-temporal analysis of the visceral leishmaniasis in the state of Alagoas, Brazil.

Visceral leishmaniosis is a neglected tropical disease. We evaluated the spatial distribution of cases of visceral leishmaniosis in the state of Alagoas, Brazil. All cases of VL, registered by the health department, were analyzed and georeferenced. Results: Between 2008 and 2017, 97.1% of the municipalities presented sporadic classification of transmission. With temporal evolution, the incidence of cases of visceral leishmaniosis was concentrated in most municipalities in the microregion of Santana do Ipanema-AL. Space-time analysis, if considered, may promote the improvement of surveillance and control actions of visceral leishmaniosis.