Interaction between Fokl polymorphism and vitamin D deficiency in the symptoms of mental disorders in adults: a population-based study.

Mental disorders are intricate and multifaceted and encompass social, economic, environmental, and biological factors. This study aimed to explore the potential association between vitamin D deficiency and anxiety and depression symptoms in adults, considering the role of the vitamin D receptor gene polymorphism FokI (rs2228570). This was a population-based cross-sectional study with stratified and cluster sampling, evaluating anxiety symptoms (AS) and depression symptoms (DS) in 1637 adults. Vitamin D levels were measured using electrochemiluminescence and were considered deficient when < 20 ng/mL in a healthy population or < 30 ng/mL in at-risk groups. Genotyping was performed using real-time polymerase chain reaction with TaqMan probes. The prevalence rates of AS, DS, and vitamin D deficiency were 23.5%, 15.8%, and 30.9%, respectively. No direct association was observed between vitamin D deficiency and AS or DS. However, interaction analysis revealed a combined effect of vitamin D deficiency and FokI for DS but not for AS. Individuals with vitamin deficiency and one or two copies of the altered allele of the FokI exhibited a higher prevalence of DS than individuals homozygous for the wild-type allele and vitamin D sufficiency. The interaction between vitamin D deficiency and the FokI polymorphism was associated with DS.

COVID-Inconfidentes - SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in two Brazilian urban areas in the fourth quarter 2020: study protocol and initial results / COVID-Inconfidentes - seroprevalencia de SARS-CoV-2 en dos áreas urbanas brasileñas en el cuarto trimestre de 2020: protocolo del estudio y resultados iniciales

Abstract Objective: To describe study protocol and initial results of research project COVID-Inconfidentes. Method: This paper described the methodological procedures adopted and the prevalence of the SARS-CoV-2 infection in the population. A household survey was conducted between October and December 2020, in two historic cities of Brazil's mining region. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody was detected using the Wondfo® rapid test. The face-to face interview consisted of administration of a questionnaire containing registration data, sociodemographic and economic variables, living habits, general health condition, mental health, sleep habits, and eating and nutrition. Results: We evaluated 1,762 residents, of which 764 (43.4 %) were in Mariana and 998 (56.6 %) in Ouro Preto. For both cities, 51.9 % of the interviewees were female, with a predominance of the age range 35 to 59 years old (47.2 %). The prevalence of the SARS-CoV-2 infection was 5.5 % in both cities, 6.2 % in Ouro Preto, and 4.7 % in Mariana (p-value > 0.05). Conclusion: The study was effective to estimate the seroprevalence of infection by the virus and its findings will enable further analyses of the health conditions of the population related to social isolation and the risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2.

Resumen Describir el protocolo de estudio y los resultados iniciales del proyecto de investigación COVID Inconfidentes. Método: Este artículo describe los procedimientos metodológicos adoptados y la prevalencia de la infección por SARS-CoV-2 en la población. Se realizó una encuesta domiciliaria entre octubre y diciembre de 2020, en dos ciudades históricas de la región minera de Brasil. El anticuerpo anti-SARS-CoV-2 se detectó mediante la prueba rápida Wondfo®. La entrevista cara a cara consistió en la administración de un cuestionario que contenía datos de registro, variables sociodemográficas y económicas, hábitos de vida, estado general de salud, salud mental, hábitos de sueño, alimentación y nutrición. Resultados: Se evaluaron 1.762 habitantes, de los cuales 764 (43,4 %) estaban en Mariana y 998 (56,6 %) en Ouro Preto. Para ambas ciudades, el 51,9 % de los entrevistados eran del sexo femenino, con predominio del rango de edad de 35 a 59 años (47,2 %). La prevalencia de la infección por SARS-CoV-2 fue del 5,5 % en ambos municipios, del 6,2 % en Ouro Preto y del 4,7 % en Mariana (p > 0,05). Conclusión: El estudio fue efectivo para estimar la seroprevalencia de infección por el virus y sus hallazgos permitirán analizar más las condiciones de salud de la población relacionadas con el aislamiento social y el riesgo de infección por SARS-CoV-2.

Longitudinal changes in the retail food environment in Mexico and their association with diabetes.

The retail food environment is a potential population-level determinant of diet and nutrition-related chronic diseases, yet little is known about its composition and association with diabetes in low- and middle-income countries. Our objectives were: (1) to describe changes in the composition of the retail food environment in Mexican neighborhoods from 2010 to 2016 and (2) to examine the association between these changes and diabetes cases diagnosed over the same period. Individual level data came from the 2016 Mexican Health and Nutrition Survey (N = 2808 adults). Neighborhood level retail food environment data for 2010 and 2016 came from the National Directory of Economic Units of Mexico. Multilevel logistic regression was used to examine the adjusted association between changes in the neighborhood density per km2 of fruit and vegetable stores, chain convenience stores and supermarkets with diabetes. Small store formats still predominate in Mexico's food environment, however there is evidence of fast increase in chain convenience stores and supermarkets. Adults living in neighborhoods that saw a decline in fruit and vegetable store density and a simultaneous increase in chain convenience store density experienced higher odds of diabetes, compared to adults who lived in neighborhoods where fruit and vegetable and convenience stores did not change (OR 3.90, 95% CI 1.61, 9.48). Considering the complex interplay between store types, understanding the mechanisms and confirming the causal implications of these findings could inform policies that improve the quality of food environments in cities.