Lifestyle, meal times, and sleep patterns changes in higher education professors during COVID-19: Association with non-communicable chronic diseases.

BACKGROUND: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, educational institutions had to swiftly adapt and transition to remote teaching in order to maintain academic activities. However, these changes presented a number of challenges for professors, which could have negative effects on their health. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the association between changes in dietary and sleep habits, physical activity level, and sedentary behavior with the development of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among Brazilian higher education professors during the pandemic period. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional and retrospective study conducted using an online form. Generalized linear models, adjusted for age, sex, and body mass index, were used to verify the difference between pre-pandemic and pandemic periods. Logistic regression models were used to predict the odds ratio (OR) for the development of NCDs according to physical activity time, sedentary behavior time, dietary and sleep patterns. RESULTS: A total of 936 professors residing across Brazil participated in the survey. The duration of sedentary behavior increased, sleep duration slightly decreased, and meal times shifted to earlier during the pandemic. A total of 22.9%of the participants reported the diagnosis of some NCDs during this period. Physical activity practice was associated with a lower risk of diseases during the pandemic, regardless of the intensity performed. On the other hand, late eating habits and excessive food consumption during the pandemic were associated with a higher risk. CONCLUSION: The results provide data that can help in the development of public policies that promote health actions to minimize the consequences associated with the pandemic period.

Histopathology and changes in the expression of metallothioneins, heat shock proteins and inducible nitric oxide synthase in Prochilodus costatus from a neotropical river contaminated by heavy metals.

The most recent dam rupture in Brazil released tons of mining tailings into the upper course of the Paraopeba River, affecting this river in an unprecedented way. The present study aimed to evaluate the influence of heavy metals on Prochilodus costatus, an important commercial species in Brazil, four years after the dam colapse. To this end, biomarkers of heavy metals, oxidative stress, and environmental stress were analyzed, and histological analyses of target organs were performed. The results demonstrated critical contamination of fish from the Paraopeba River. Increased expression of Metallothioneins - MTs, Heat Shock Protein - HSP70, and inducible nitric oxide synthase - iNOS, as well as greater rates of histological changes in the liver, spleen, and gonads, were observed in P. costatus. These findings demonstrate that, despite past contamination, the metals present in mining tailings have significantly increased the contamination of the Paraopeba River basin.

SARS-CoV-2 Rapid Antigen Test Based on a New Anti-Nucleocapsid Protein Monoclonal Antibody: Development and Real-Time Validation.

SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic tests have become an important tool for pandemic control. Among the alternatives for COVID-19 diagnosis, antigen rapid diagnostic tests (Ag-RDT) are very convenient and widely used. However, as SARS-CoV-2 variants may continuously emerge, the replacement of tests and reagents may be required to maintain the sensitivity of Ag-RDTs. Here, we describe the development and validation of an Ag-RDT during an outbreak of the Omicron variant, including the characterization of a new monoclonal antibody (anti-DTC-N 1B3 mAb) that recognizes the Nucleocapsid protein (N). The anti-DTC-N 1B3 mAb recognized the sequence TFPPTEPKKDKKK located at the C-terminus of the N protein of main SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern. Accordingly, the Ag-RDT prototypes using the anti-DTC-N 1B3 mAB detected all the SARS-CoV-2 variants-Wuhan, Alpha, Gamma, Delta, P2 and Omicron. The performance of the best prototype (sensitivity of 95.2% for samples with Ct ≤ 25; specificity of 98.3% and overall accuracy of 85.0%) met the WHO recommendations. Moreover, results from a patients' follow-up study indicated that, if performed within the first three days after onset of symptoms, the Ag-RDT displayed 100% sensitivity. Thus, the new mAb and the Ag-RDT developed herein may constitute alternative tools for COVID-19 point-of-care diagnosis and epidemiological surveillance.

Preterm births prevalence during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil: results from the national database.

The SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic impacted the health systems between and within countries, and in the course of the pandemic sexual and reproductive health services were the most disrupted. Findings from high-income settings have reported significant changes in preterm birth prevalence during the pandemic period. To understand the possible effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on preterm birth numbers at the Brazilian national level. We compare the number of preterm deliveries during the COVID-19 pandemic period (2020 and 2021) with previous years. We conducted a population-based cross-sectional study taking the period from January 2017 to December 2021 to account. We use individual-level live births data from the Brazilian Live Birth Information System (SINASC), and we estimate the odds ratio (OR) of preterm deliveries using propensity score weighting analysis in Brazil and its regions. During the study period (from 2017 to 2021), about 2.7 million live births were recorded per year, and the missing value for gestational age at delivery was less than 1.5%. The preterm birth prevalence slightly increased during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic period (11.32% in 2021 vs 11.09% in 2019, p-value < 0.0001). After adjusting for sociodemographic variables, the OR of preterm births in Brazil has significantly increased, 4% in 2020 (OR: 1.04 [1.03-1.05] 95% CI, p-value < 0.001), and 2% in 2021(OR: 1.02 [1.01-1.03] 95% CI, p-value < 0.001), compared to 2019. At the regional level, the preterm birth pattern in the South, Southeast and Northeast regions show a similar pattern. The highest odds ratio was observed in the South region (2020 vs 2019, OR: 1.07 [1.05-1.10] 95% CI; 2021 vs 2019, OR: 1.03 [1.01-1.06] 95% CI). However, we also observed a significant reduction in the ORs of preterm births in the northern region during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020 vs 2019, OR: 0.96 [0.94-0.98] 95% CI) and (2021 vs 2019, OR: 0.97 [0.95-0.99] 95% CI). Our analysis shows that the pandemic has increased regional variation in the number of preterm births in Brazil in 2020 and 2021 compared to the pre-pandemic years.

Ergonomic interventions for work in a sitting position: an integrative review.

The sitting position is one of the most common positions in the workplace and one that can contribute to overloading the musculoskeletal system. Ergonomics can play a significant role in ensuring an appropriate relationship between people and their work and in achieving better conditions for workers' health. The objective of this study was to consult the available evidence on the results of different ergonomic interventions for the musculoskeletal systems of workers who perform their jobs in a sitting position. This was an integrative review, searching the LILACS, MEDLINE, PubMed, SciELO, and CINAHL electronic databases for articles published from 2010 to 2019. The following keywords were used: Trabalhadores OR Workers OR Trabajadores AND Dor OR Pain OR Dolor AND Postura Sentada OR Sitting Position OR Sedestación AND Ergonomia OR Ergonomics OR Ergonomía. A total of 183 articles were identified, 14 of which were selected for the review. For qualitative analysis, the articles were organized by author, year, sample/population, objective, analytical instrument, intervention and type of intervention: combinations of physical exercise programs and postural and ergonomic guidance; different types of guidance and facilitating instruments; or configuration of furniture and use of supporting devices. A quantitative analysis of study quality was conducted using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database, based on the Delphi list. The interventions contributed to improve physical conditions and the tasks being carried out, making them more appropriate for the workers.

A postura sentada é uma das mais adotadas nos ambientes de trabalho e pode contribuir na sobrecarga do sistema musculoesquelético. A ergonomia pode apresentar um papel significativo para manter a relação adequada do homem com o trabalho e para abordar melhores condições à saúde dos trabalhadores. O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar as evidências disponíveis sobre os resultados de diferentes intervenções ergonômicas no sistema musculoesquelético de trabalhadores que exercem atividades na postura sentada. Tratou-se de uma revisão integrativa, utilizando as bases de dados eletrônicas LILACS, MEDLINE, PubMed, SciELO e CINAHL, com busca de artigos publicados no período de 2010 a 2019. Utilizaram-se os seguintes descritores: Trabalhadores OR Workers OR Trabajadores AND Dor OR Pain OR Dolor AND Postura Sentada OR Sitting Position OR Sedestación AND Ergonomia OR Ergonomics OR Ergonomía. Foram encontrados 183 artigos, sendo 14 selecionados. A análise qualitativa organizou os artigos de acordo com autor, ano, amostra/população, objetivo, instrumento de análise, intervenção e tipo de intervenção: associação de programas de exercícios físicos e orientações posturais e ergonômicas; diferentes formas de orientação e instrumentos facilitadores; e configuração do mobiliário e utilização de dispositivos auxiliares. A análise quantitativa da qualidade dos estudos considerou a escala Physiotherapy Evidence Database, baseado na lista Delphi. As intervenções contribuíram para melhorar as condições físicas e as tarefas executadas, tornando-as mais apropriadas para os trabalhadores.

Rehabilitation and release of confiscated songbirds into the wild: A pilot study.

Songbirds are currently the most prevalent animals in illegal trafficking in Brazil and other countries, so they are often confiscated, and this poses legal, ethical, and conservation challenges. Returning them to nature requires complex and expensive management, a topic that is sparingly addressed in the literature. Here, we described the processes and costs associated with an attempt to rehabilitate and release confiscated songbirds into the wild. A total of 1,721 songbirds of several species were quarantined, rehabilitated, and released, primarily on two farms located within their typical geographical distribution. Health assessments were performed on samples from 370 birds. Serology revealed no antibodies against Newcastle disease, and Salmonella spp. cultures were negative. Real-time polymerase chain reactions detected M. gallisepticum in samples from seven birds. Atoxoplasma spp. and Acuaria spp. infections, sepsis, and trauma were the top causes of bird death. About 6% of the released birds were recaptured, within an average period of 249 days after release, and at a mean distance of 2,397 meters from the release sites. The majority of these birds were found with free-living mates within or close to fragments of transitional ecoregions with native or cultivated grasslands, and native groves/forests, and shrublands. However, eucalyptus plantations with rich understory regeneration provided a suitable environment for the released forest species to settle, since they were recaptured during the defense of these sites. Over half of the recaptured birds presented behavioral profiles with both dominant and tame traits. Birds with dominant traits are more likely to settle in habitats and face the live decoys during fieldwork, whereas birds with tame characteristics tend to accept close contact with humans. Ultramarine grosbeak (Cyanoloxia brissonii), the least common species among those released, at the release sites showed an almost 2-fold recapture rate in the shortest mean distances from the release sites. This suggests less territory competition, perhaps a major factor of bird re-establishment here. The total per-bird cost was USD 57. Our findings suggested suitable survival and re-establishment of confiscated songbirds in the wild, when managed as we describe.

(Re)apresentando o território escolar: uma possibilidade inventiva / (Re)presenting the school territory: an inventive possibility / (Re)presentar el territorio escolar: una posibilidad inventiva

Resumo Este artigo propõe-se a conhecer e problematizar um território escolar, do interior do RS, em busca da construção de um mapa. Nesta construção percorre-se o campo entre as relações e as práticas com/na escola, cartografando seus trajetos já estabelecidos e seus desvios, entre visibilidades e invisibilidades. Tem-se como objetivos cartografar as possibilidades de invenção na escola e explorar as relações dos sujeitos com/no espaço escolar. Os passos desta pesquisa foram construídos por meio da cartografia, método da pesquisa-intervenção, problematizando implicações, observações e intervenções da cartógrafa com as paisagens vistas e construídas. Com isto encontrou-se analisadores - o portão, o círculo e o circo - que possibilitaram experenciar e construir estas paisagens que, recheadas de sentimentos, forças e formas, (re)criaram um mapa do território, (re)apresentado na escrita deste artigo. Por fim, compreende-se que é preciso sair dos extremos e vivenciar os "entres" que configuram e compõem o território. A pesquisadora-cartógrafa que habita o campo da psicologia buscou, a partir desta produção, um movimento de inquietações, deixando aqui a sugestão de seguir-se fora de tais extremos, escutar-se os modos instituídos, dar voz aos desejos instituintes e poder criar entre os dois, permitindo-se ser artista ao inventar diferentes modos de rel(ação) no território escolar.

Abstract This article proposes to meet and to discuss a school territory, in the interior of the RS, in search of building a map. This construction runs through the field between the relationships and practices with/in school charting their routes already established and its deviations, between visibilities and invisibilities. It has as objectives to chart the possibilities of invention at school and how to explore the relationship of subjects with/in the school space. For it, is through cartography, research-intervention method, that the steps of this research are built, questioning implications, observations and interventions of the cartographer with the views and landscapes built. With this, it was possible to find analyzers - the gate, the circle and the circus - which enabled experience and to build these landscapes, filled with feelings, strengths and shapes, (re) created a map of the territory, (re) presented in the writing of this article. Finally, it is understood that it is necessary to leave the extremes and experience the "in-betweens" that configure and compose the territory. The researcher-cartographer who inhabits the field of psychology sought, from this production, a movement of concerns, leaving here the suggestion of moving away from such extremes. Listening to instituted modes, giving voice to instituting desires and being able to create between the two, allowing oneself to be an artist by inventing different modes of relationship(action) in the school territory

Resumen Este artículo se propone conocer y problematizar un territorio escolar, en el interior de RS, en busca de la construcción de un mapa. En esta construcción se recorre el campo entre las relaciones y prácticas con/en la escuela, mapeando sus caminos ya establecidos y sus desvíos, entre visibilidades e invisibilidades. Los objetivos son mapear las posibilidades de invención en la escuela y explorar las relaciones de los sujetos con/en el espacio escolar. Los pasos de esta investigación fueron construidos a través de la cartografía, un método de investigación-intervención, problematizando implicaciones, observaciones e intervenciones del cartógrafo con los paisajes vistos y construidos. Con ello, se encontraron analizadores -la puerta, el círculo y el circo- que permitieron experimentar y construir estos paisajes que, llenos de sentimientos, fuerzas y formas, (re)crearon un mapa del territorio, (re)presentaron en la redacción de este artículo. Finalmente, se entiende que es necesario salir de los extremos y experimentar los "entremedios" que configuran y componen el territorio. El investigador-cartógrafo que habita el campo de la psicología buscó, a partir de esta producción, un movimiento de inquietudes, dejando aquí la sugerencia de alejarse de tales extremos. Escuchar los modos instituidos, dar voz a los deseos instituyentes y poder crear entre los dos, permitiéndose ser artista inventando diferentes modos de relación (acción) en el territorio escolar.

Ultrastructural changes induced by açaí (Euterpe oleracea Mart) in MCF-7 breast cancer cell line.

Açaí (Euterpe oleracea Mart) is an Amazon plant with many biological properties. Previous report of this group evidenced autophagy induction after treatment with açaí seed extract in MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines by acridine orange assay. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ultrastructural changes induced by açaí seed extract in MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines. First, MCF- 7 breast cancer cell line viability was evaluated by MTT assay. Acridine orange assay showed increase in the acidic compartments, suggesting autophagolysosome formation. These cells were treated with 25 µg/ml for 24 h and evaluated by transmission electron microscopy (MET). This analysis showed that açaí seed extract induced autophagy, confirmed by autophagolysosome formation. Furthermore, açaí seed extract increased the number of mitochondria, suggesting the enrollment of reactive oxygen species in autophagy.

Development and validation of an enzyme-linked immunoassay kit for diagnosis and surveillance of COVID-19.

There is a massive demand to identify alternative methods to detect new cases of COVID-19 as well as to investigate the epidemiology of the disease. In many countries, importation of commercial kits poses a significant impact on their testing capacity and increases the costs for the public health system. We have developed an ELISA to detect IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 using a recombinant viral nucleocapsid (rN) protein expressed in E. coli. Using a total of 894 clinical samples we showed that the rN-ELISA was able to detect IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 with high sensitivity (97.5%) and specificity (96.3%) when compared to a commercial antibody test. After three external validation studies, we showed that the test accuracy was higher than 90%. The rN-ELISA IgG kit constitutes a convenient and specific method for the large-scale determination of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in human sera with high reliability.

DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF AN ENZYME-LINKED IMMUNOASSAY KIT FOR DIAGNOSIS AND SURVEILLANCE OF COVID-19.

There is a massive demand to identify alternative methods to detect new cases of COVID-19 as well as to investigate the epidemiology of the disease. In many countries, importation of commercial kits poses a significant impact on their testing capacity and increases the costs for the public health system. We have developed an ELISA to detect IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 using a recombinant viral nucleocapsid (rN) protein expressed in E. coli. Using a total of 894 clinical samples we showed that the rN-ELISA was able to detect IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 with high sensitivity (97.5%) and specificity (96.3%) when compared to a commercial antibody test. After three external validation studies, we showed that the test accuracy was higher than 90%. The rN-ELISA IgG kit constitutes a convenient and specific method for the large-scale determination of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in human sera with high reliability.

Validation of Serological Methods for COVID-19 and Retrospective Screening of Health Employees and Visitors to the São Paulo University Hospital, Brazil.

Reliable serological tests for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among infected or vaccinated individuals are important for epidemiological and clinical studies. Low-cost approaches easily adaptable to high throughput screenings, such as Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays (ELISA) or electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA), can be readily validated using different SARS-CoV-2 antigens. A total of 1,119 serum samples collected between March and July of 2020 from health employees and visitors to the University Hospital at the University of São Paulo were screened with the Elecsys® Anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoassay (Elecsys) (Roche Diagnostics) and three in-house ELISAs that are based on different antigens: the Nucleoprotein (N-ELISA), the Receptor Binding Domain (RBD-ELISA), and a portion of the S1 protein (ΔS1-ELISA). Virus neutralization test (CPE-VNT) was used as the gold standard to validate the serological assays. We observed high sensitivity and specificity values with the Elecsys (96.92% and 98.78%, respectively) and N-ELISA (93.94% and 94.40%, respectively), compared with RBD-ELISA (90.91% sensitivity and 88.80% specificity) and the ΔS1-ELISA (77.27% sensitivity and 76% specificity). The Elecsys® proved to be a reliable SARS-CoV-2 serological test. Similarly, the recombinant SARS-CoV-2 N protein displayed good performance in the ELISA tests. The availability of reliable diagnostic tests is critical for the precise determination of infection rates, particularly in countries with high SARS-CoV-2 infection rates, such as Brazil. Collectively, our results indicate that the development and validation of new serological tests based on recombinant proteins may provide new alternatives for the SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic market.

"Infeliz(es) para sempre": narrativas de mulheres sobre violência conjugal / "Unhappy forever": women's narratives about conjugal violence

RESUMO Considerando que a mulher que se encontra numa relação amorosa violenta, muitas vezes, persiste na manutenção dessa conjugalidade, este estudo objetivou investigar a experiência emocional de mulheres que vivenciam ou já vivenciaram uma relação conjugal violenta. Foram realizadas entrevistas individuais com seis mulheres beneficiárias de uma ONG dedicada à violência intrafamiliar. Cada entrevista foi mediada pela apresentação de uma narrativa interativa, a partir da qual a participante era convidada a inventar o desfecho. Após cada entrevista, a entrevistadora redigiu uma narrativa transferencial sobre o encontro. O conjunto das narrativas transferenciais foi analisado psicanaliticamente à luz da Teoria dos Campos. Foi identificado o campo "Infeliz(es) para sempre", em que as participantes manifestaram sofrimento radical frente à possibilidade de ficarem sozinhas, "preferindo" compartilhar a infelicidade com o cônjuge agressor a lidarem com o desamparo. Considera-se que tais achados podem auxiliar na intervenção dos profissionais que atuam junto a esse grupo social específico

ABSTRACT Since the woman who is in a violent marital relationship often persists in maintaining that conjugality, this study aimed to investigate the emotional experience of women who experience or have experienced a violent marital relationship. Individual interviews were conducted with six women beneficiaries of an NGO dedicated to intrafamily violence. Each interview was mediated by the presentation of an interactive narrative, from which the participant was invited to formulate its outcome. After each interview, the interviewer wrote a transferential narrative about the encounter. The set of transferential narratives was analyzed psychoanalytically through the Theory of Fields. The field "Unhappy forever" was identified, in which the participants manifested radical suffering at the possibility of being alone, "preferring" to share their unhappiness with the aggressor partner rather than dealing with the helplessness. It is considered that such findings may assist in the intervention of professionals who work with this specific social group

Identification of Variants Responsible for Monogenic Forms of Diabetes in Brazil.

Monogenic forms of diabetes mellitus may affect a significant number of patients of this disease, and it is an important molecular cause to be investigated. However, studies of the genetic causes of monogenic diabetes, especially in populations with mixed ethnic backgrounds, such as the one in Brazil, are scarce. The aim of this study was to screen several genes associated with monogenic diabetes in fifty-seven Brazilian patients with recurrence of the disease in their families and thirty-four relatives. Inclusion criteria were: Age of onset ≤ 40 years old, BMI < 30 kg/m², at least two affected generations and negative anti-GAD and anti-IA2 antibodies. MODY genes HNF4A, GCK, HNF1A, HNF1B, NEUROD1, KLF11, PAX4, INS, KCNJ11, and MT-TL1 were sequenced by Sanger sequencing. We identified a total of 20 patients with variants, 13 GCK-MODY, four HNF1A-MODY, and one variant in each of the following genes, HNF4A, HNF1B and MT-TL1. Segregation analysis was performed in 13 families. Four variants were novel, two in GCK (p.(Met115Val) [c.343A>G] and p.(Asp365GlufsTer95) [c.1094_1095insGCGA]) and two in HNF1A (p.(Tyr163Ter) [c.489C>G] and p.(Val380CysfsTer39) [c.1136_1137insC]). Here we highlight the importance of screening for monogenic diabetes in admixed populations.

Intervenção com o método Pilates em trabalhadores com LER/DORT / Intervention with the Pilates method in workers with RSI/WMSD

O presente estudo é do tipo quase experimental e teve como objetivo verificar os efeitos da intervenção com o Método Pilates (MP) na presença e intensidade dos sintomas musculoesqueléticos, na força de preensão palmar e na flexibilidade toracolombar de trabalhadores com lesões por esforços repetitivos/distúrbios osteomusculares relacionados ao trabalho (LER/DORT). Participaram trabalhadores encaminhados para atendimento fisioterapêutico a um serviço municipal de nível secundário de atenção à saúde. Foi disponibilizada aos pesquisadores uma lista com 605 usuários com diagnóstico de afecções musculoesqueléticas (sem referência se as afecções tinham ou não relação com o trabalho). Realizou-se contato telefônico para identificar quais eram trabalhadores, convidando-os a participar da pesquisa. Os 244 trabalhadores que aceitaram foram agendados; e, destes, 166 compareceram, sendo avaliados os aspectos sociodemográficos, ocupacionais, história clínica detalhada, sintomas musculoesqueléticos e exame físico, permitindo o estabelecimento do nexo causal (diagnóstico de LER/DORT) para 142 desses trabalhadores. Destes, 17 apresentaram disponibilidade para participar da intervenção nos dias e horários disponibilizados para a aplicação do MP. O protocolo foi constituído por 12 exercícios, por seis semanas, com duração de 60 minutos. Os resultados do MP foram significantes (p<0,05) na redução do número de trabalhadores com sintomas nas regiões dos ombros e punhos/mãos, redução significante da intensidade dos sintomas em oito das nove regiões corporais avaliadas e aumento significante da força da mão não dominante. O MP proporcionou efeitos positivos na redução dos sintomas das LER/DORT.

The aim of the present quasi-experimental study was to verify the effects of intervention with the Pilates Method (PM) on the presence and intensity of musculoskeletal symptoms, handgrip strength and thoracolumbar flexibility of workers with Repetitive Strain Injuries/Musculoskeletal Disorders Work Related (LER/DORT). Workers referred for physical therapy care to a municipal service at the secondary level of health care participated. A list of 605 users with a diagnosis of musculoskeletal disorders was made available to the researchers (without reference to whether the disorders were related to work or not). Telephone contact was made to identify which workers were, inviting them to participate in the research. The 244 workers who accepted were scheduled and, of these, 166 attended, and the sociodemographic, occupational, detailed medical history, musculoskeletal symptoms and physical examination were evaluated, allowing the establishment of the causal link (RSI/WMSD diagnosis) for 142 of these workers. Of these, 17 were available to participate in the intervention on the days and times available for the application of the MP. The protocol consisted of 12 exercises, for six weeks, lasting 60 minutes. The MP results were significant for a reduction in the number of workers with symptoms for the shoulder and wrist/hand regions, a significant reduction in the intensity of symptoms for eight of the nine body regions evaluated, and a significant increase in the strength of the non-dominant hand. MP provided positive effects in reducing RSI/WMSD symptoms.

High SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in persons experiencing homelessness and shelter workers from a day-shelter in São Paulo, Brazil.

Brazil presents one of the highest COVID-19 death tolls in the world. The initial SARS-CoV-2 epicenter was São Paulo city. As of 2019, the homeless population of São Paulo city was estimated at 24,344 individuals, the largest national homeless population. The present study aimed to concomitantly assess the molecular and serological prevalence and associated risk factors of SARS-CoV-2 infection in a homeless population and related shelter workers from a day-shelter. Serum samples, nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs of persons who are homeless and shelter workers collected from August 25th to 27th, 2020 were tested for the presence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG antibodies by ELISA and SARS-CoV-2 RNA by RT-qPCR, respectively. All swab samples tested negative by RT-qPCR. Seropositivity of IgM and IgG was 5/203 (2.5%) and 111/203 (54.7%) in persons who are homeless, and 5/87 (5.7%) and 41/87 (47.1%) in shelter workers, respectively, with no statistical differences between groups. The high seroprevalence found herein indicates early environmental and urban spreading of SARS-CoV-2, associated with sociodemographic and economic vulnerability.

Surrogate test performance for SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) for convalescent plasma (CCP): How useful could they be?

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 high-titer CCP selection is a concern, because neutralizing antibody (nAb) testing requires sophisticated labs and methods. Surrogate tests are an alternative for measuring nAb levels in plasma bags, including those that are pathogen-reduced. STUDY DESIGN/METHODS: We studied a panel consisting of 191 samples from convalescent donors tested by nAb (CPE-VNT), obtained from 180 CCP donations (collection: March 20-January 21) and 11 negative controls, with a total of 80 and 111 serum and plasma samples (71 amotosalen/UV treated), with nAb titers ranging from negative to 10,240. Samples were blindly tested for several surrogates: one anti-RBD, two anti-spike, and four anti-nucleocapsid tests, either isolated or combined to improve their positive predictive values as predictors of the presence of high-titer nAbs, defined as those with titers ≥160. RESULTS: Except for combined and anti-IgA/M tests, all isolated surrogate tests showed excellent performance for nAb detection: sensitivity (98.3%-100%), specificity (85.7%-100%), PPV (98.9%-100%), NPV (81.3%-100%), and AUC (0.93-0.96), with a variable decrease in sensitivity and considerably lower specificity when using FDA authorization and concomitant nAb titers ≥160. All surrogates had AUCs that were statistically different from CPE-VNT if nAb≥160, including when using combined, orthogonal approaches. CONCLUSIONS: Surrogate tests (isolated or in combination) have an indirect good performance in detecting the presence of nAb, with lower sensitivity and specificity when high nAb titer samples are used, possibly accepting a considerable number of donors whose nAb titers are actually low, which should be evaluated by each laboratory responsible for CCP collection.

Heterogeneous development of children with Congenital Zika Syndrome-associated microcephaly.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the neurological and neurodevelopmental outcomes of children with Congenital Zika Syndrome (CZS) associated microcephaly beyond 2 years of age. METHOD: We followed children with CZS-associated microcephaly in an outpatient clinic in Salvador, Brazil. Neurological and neurodevelopmental assessments were performed using the Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination (HINE) and Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Neurodevelopment (Bayley-III) respectively. RESULTS: Of the 42 children included, 19 were male (45.2%); median (interquartile range) age at neurological evaluation was 28 (25-32) months, and 36 (85.7%) had severe microcephaly. HINE and Bayley-III results were completed for 35/42 (83.3%) and 33/42 (78.5%) children respectively. Bayley-III identified a severe developmental delay in 32/33 (97.0%) children while 1/33 (3.0%) had only a mild delay. In the multivariable analysis, we found that Bayley-III and HINE scores were correlated. Better HINE scores were associated with higher Bayley-III cognitive raw scores (ß = 0.29; CI 95% = 0.02-0.57) and motor raw scores (ß = 0.43; CI 95% = 0.04-0.82) after adjusting for head circumference, prematurity, and age at neurodevelopmental evaluation. Furthermore, we found that greater head circumference at follow up was associated with higher cognitive (ß = 1.27; CI 95% = 0.01-2.53) and motor raw scores (ß = 2.03; CI 95% = 0.25-3.81). CONCLUSION: Children with CZS-associated microcephaly demonstrate severe neurodevelopmental delays and slower growth rates than their peers over time. Still, they have remarkably heterogeneous neurodevelopmental profiles according to neurological exam scores which correlate with their long-term outcomes. We found that HINE scores effectively captured the heterogeneity of neurological capabilities among these children and could be predictive of cognitive and motor development progress.

NS1-based ELISA test efficiently detects dengue infections without cross-reactivity with Zika virus.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to achieve greater specificity of dengue virus (DENV) serological tests based on a recombinant antigen derived from non-structural protein 1 (ΔNS1) with regard to cross-reactive Zika virus (ZIKV) anti-NS1 antibody responses. This is of relevance in endemic regions for the serological discrimination of both DENV and ZIKV, such as Brazil and other tropical countries. METHODS: The ΔNS1 proteins were obtained as recombinant antigens and were evaluated as solid-phase-bound antigens in the ELISA test to detect anti-NS1 IgG antibodies. The performance of the ∆NS1-based DENV IgG ELISA was assessed with both mouse and human serum samples previously exposed to DENV or ZIKV. RESULTS: The ∆NS1-based DENV IgG ELISA detected anti-DENV NS1 IgG without cross-reactivity with ZIKV-positive serum samples. The sensitivity and specificity of the assay determined using samples previously characterized by real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) or plaque reduction neutralization assay (PRNT) were 82% and 93%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The ∆NS1-based DENV IgG ELISA conferred enhanced diagnostic specificity for anti-DENV serological tests and may be particularly useful for serological analyses in endemic regions for both DENV and ZIKV transmission.

Human Leukocyte Antigens class II (HLA II) gene profile from an admixed population of patients with type 1 diabetes with severe diabetic retinopathy: a nested case-control study in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Although the well-established role of the HLA genes on the predisposition of type 1 diabetes (T1D), its contribution to the development and progression of diabetic retinopathy is still unclear, especially in admixed populations. We aimed to study the relationship between HLA alleles and severe diabetic retinopathy in a highly admixed population of T1D patients. METHODS: This was a nested case-control study based on a cross-sectional, nationwide survey conducted in Brazil. We included 117 patients with severe diabetic retinopathy and 117 random controls composed of T1D patients without retinopathy, matched for diabetes duration. HLA-class II genes (HLA-DRB1, -DQA1, and -DQB1) were genotyped using the SSO and NGS methods. RESULTS: Haplotypes HLA-DRB1*04:05 ~ DQA1*03:01 g ~ DQB1*03:02 (OR 1.75, CI 0.97-3.16, p value 0.058) and HLA-DRB1*13:02 ~ DQA1*01:02 ~ DQB1*06:04 (OR 5.18, CI 1.12-23.09, p value 0.019) were more prevalent on the severe DR group but they did not present statistically difference after Bonferroni correction. The most frequent haplotype on both groups was HLA-DRB1*03:01 ~ DQA1*05:01 g ~ DQB1*02:01 (29.6% on severe DR and 33.33% on the control group). CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed no influence of HLA genes on the development of DR. Further longitudinal data is needed to better understand the role of genetic factors on this multifactorial significant microvascular complication.