Physical activity and long COVID: findings from the Prospective Study About Mental and Physical Health in Adults cohort.

OBJECTIVES: The study investigated the longitudinal association between physical activity and the risk of long COVID in patients who recovered from COVID-19 infection. STUDY DESIGN: We analyzed longitudinal data of the Prospective Study About Mental and Physical Health cohort, a prospective cohort study with adults living in Southern Brazil. METHODS: Participants responded to an online, self-administered questionnaire in June 2020 (wave 1) and June 2022 (wave 4). Only participants who self-reported a positive test for COVID-19 were included. Physical activity was assessed before (wave 1, retrospectively) and during the pandemic (wave 1). Long COVID was assessed in wave 4 and defined as any post-COVID-19 symptoms that persisted for at least 3 months after infection. RESULTS: A total of 237 participants (75.1% women; mean age [standard deviation]: 37.1 [12.3]) were included in this study. The prevalence of physical inactivity in baseline was 71.7%, whereas 76.4% were classified with long COVID in wave 4. In the multivariate analysis, physical activity during the pandemic was associated with a reduced likelihood of long COVID (prevalence ratio [PR]: 0.83; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.69-0.99) and a reduced duration of long COVID symptoms (odds ratio: 0.44; 95% CI: 0.26-0.75). Participants who remained physically active from before to during the pandemic were less likely to report long COVID (PR: 0.74; 95% CI: 0.58-0.95), fatigue (PR: 0.49; 95% CI: 0.32-0.76), neurological complications (PR: 0.47; 95% CI: 0.27-0.80), cough (PR: 0.40; 95% CI: 0.22-0.71), and loss of sense of smell or taste (PR: 0.43; 95% CI: 0.21-0.87) as symptom-specific long COVID. CONCLUSION: Physical activity practice was associated with reduced risk of long COVID in adults.

Depression and anxiety symptoms remained elevated after 10 months of the COVID-19 pandemic in southern Brazil: findings from the PAMPA cohort.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to examine the changes in depression and anxiety symptoms among Brazilian adults over 10 months of the COVID-19 pandemic. STUDY DESIGN/METHODS: The present study used data from wave 1 (June/July 2020) and wave 2 (December 2020/January 2021) of the Prospective Study About Mental and Physical Health (PAMPA) Cohort, a state-level, ambispective longitudinal study with adults from southern Brazil. The frequency of anxiety and depressive symptoms was assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Anxiety and depressive symptoms before social distancing were retrospectively assessed during wave 1. RESULTS: Most of the 674 participants were classified as non-symptomatic for depressive (85.0%) and anxiety symptoms (73.2%) before the COVID-19 pandemic. At wave 1, there were increases in symptoms of depression (7.6% [95% confidence interval [CI]: 7.2%, 8.1%]) and anxiety (9.1% [95% CI: 8.6%, 9.5%]). These decreased at wave 2 (depression: 6.9% [95% CI: 6.5%, 7.2%]; anxiety: 7.4% [95% CI: 7.1%, 7.8%]) although they were still elevated compared with pre-COVID (depression: 4.5% [95% CI: 4.2%, 4.8%]; anxiety: 5.8% [95% CI: 5.5%, 6.1%]). Adults living alone (b = 0.44 [95% CI: 0.07, 0.82]) had a faster trajectory in anxiety symptoms than their counterparts. Cohort members who were living alone (b = 0.24 [95% CI: 0.06, 0.42]) and with diagnosed chronic disease (0.32 [95% CI: 0.18, 0.46]) had a faster increase in depressive symptoms than their respective counterparts. Participants aged ≥60 years showed a slower trajectory of depressive (b = -0.46 [95% CI: -0.73, -0.18]) and anxiety (b = -0.61 [95% CI: -1.20, -0.02) symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: During 10 months of COVID-19, anxiety and depression symptoms improved but were still higher than before COVID-19.

Association between specific types of physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic and the risk of subjective memory decline: findings from the PAMPA Cohort.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to identify the effects of different physical activities practised during the time period when COVID-19 social distancing measures were in place on the risk of subjective memory decline in adults. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. METHODS: Data from the Prospective Study about Mental and Physical Health (PAMPA), a state-level (Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil), online-based cohort study, were analysed. Respondents were asked to rate their memory before COVID-19 social distancing measures were implemented (retrospectively) and on the day that the survey was completed. Subjective memory decline was defined as a perceived worsening of memory function during COVID-19 social distancing compared with the pre-pandemic period. The types of physical activity practised before and during COVID-19 social distancing measures were assessed. RESULTS: Data from 2319 adults were included. Out-of-home endurance, muscle strengthening, combined endurance and muscle strengthening, and stretching activities reduced the risk of subjective memory decline during the pandemic. In terms of physical activities practised at home, only muscle strengthening did not protect against subjective memory decline. Participants who sustained any type of physical activity at home during the COVID-19 pandemic showed a reduced risk for subjective memory decline. CONCLUSIONS: Physical activity, regardless of the type of activity and location performed, during the time period when COVID-19 social distancing measures were in place can mitigate the effects of the pandemic on subjective memory decline.

Sharp increase in depression and anxiety among Brazilian adults during the COVID-19 pandemic: findings from the PAMPA cohort.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to compare the prevalence of depression and anxiety symptoms before and during the pandemic and identify factors associated with aggravated mental health symptoms. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. METHODS: We identified the proportion of normal, mild, moderate, and severe symptoms of depression and anxiety before and during the social distancing restrictions in adults from southern Brazil. An online, self-administered questionnaire was delivered for residents within the state of Rio Grande do Sul. Depressive and anxiety symptoms were examined by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. RESULTS: Most of the participants (n = 2314) aged between 31 and 59 years (54.2%), were women (76.6%), White (90.6%) with a university degree (66.6%). Moderate-to-severe symptoms of depression and anxiety were reported in 3.9% and 4.5% of participants, respectively, before COVID-19. During the pandemic (June-July, 2020), these proportions increased to 29.1% (6.6-fold increase) and 37.8% (7.4-fold increase), respectively. Higher rates of depressive and anxiety symptoms were observed among women, those aged 18-30 years, diagnosed with chronic disease and participants who had their income negatively affected by social restrictions. Remaining active or becoming physically active during social distancing restrictions reduced the probability of aggravated mental health disorders. CONCLUSIONS: Depressive and anxiety symptoms had a 6.6- and 7.4-fold increase since the COVID-19 pandemic. Public policies such as physical activity promotion and strategies to reduce the economic strain caused by this pandemic are urgently needed to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on mental health.

Percepção de enfermeiros da Estratégia de Saúde da Família sobresegurança do paciente / Family Health Strategy nurses' perception of patient safety

Objetivo: conhecer a percepção de enfermeiros da Estratégia de Saúde da Família sobre segurança do paciente. Métodos: pesquisa qualitativa, realizada em 2016 com 10 enfermeiros, no sul do Brasil,por meio de entrevistas submetidas à Análise de Conteúdo. Resultados: salienta-se a falta de familiarização dos enfermeiros com o assunto. Erros de medicação e quedas foram problemas à segurança dos pacientes e a comunicação efetiva fator promotor. A capacitação das equipes,implementação de instrumentos próprios voltados à segurança do paciente e diminuição da sobrecarga de trabalho foram apontadas enquanto estratégias de melhoria para a segurança do paciente.Considerações finais: o tema segurança do paciente ainda não faz parte da assistência dos enfermeiros da Saúde da Família, mas esses percebem sua importância. Uma cultura de segurança precisa ser implementada nos serviços mediante capacitação desses profissionais por meio de parceria com instituições de ensino.

Objective: to understand the Family Health Strategy nurses’ perception of patient safety. Methods:qualitative research was conducted in 2016 with 10 nurses, in southern Brazil, through interviewssubmitted to Content Analysis. Results: the nurses’ lack of familiarity with the subject ishighlighted. Medication errors and falls were problems to patient safety and effectivecommunication is a promoting factor. The training of teams, implementation of own instrumentsfocused at patient safety and reduction of work overload were pointed out as improvement strategies for patient safety. Final Considerations: the theme of patient safety is not yet part of the assistanceof Family Health nurses, but they realize the importance of this. A safety culture needs to beimplemented in services by training nurses through partnership with educational institutions.

Effects of maternal separation on the dietary preference and behavioral satiety sequence in rats.

This study investigated the effects of maternal separation on the feeding behavior of rats. A maternal separation model was used on postnatal day 1 (PND1), forming the following groups: in the maternal separation (MS) group, pups were separated from their mothers each day from PND1 to PND14, whereas in the control (C) group pups were kept with their mothers. Subgroups were formed to study the effects of light and darkness: control with dark and light exposure, female and male (CF and CM), and maternal separation with dark and light exposure, female and male (SDF, SDM, SLF and SLM). Female rats had higher caloric intake relative to body weight compared with male controls in the dark period only (CF=23.3±0.5 v. CM=18.2±0.7, P<0.001). Macronutrient feeding preferences were observed, with male rats exhibiting higher caloric intake from a protein diet as compared with female rats (CF=4.1±0.7, n=8 v. CM=7.0±0.5, n=8, P<0.05) and satiety development was not interrupted. Female rats had a higher adrenal weight as compared with male rats independently of experimental groups and exhibited a higher concentration of serum triglycerides (n=8, P<0.001). The study indicates possible phenotypic adjustments in the structure of feeding behavior promoted by maternal separation, especially in the dark cycle. The dissociation between the mother's presence and milk intake probably induces adjustments in feeding behavior during adulthood.

Evaluation of panoramic radiomorphometric indices related to low bone density in sickle cell disease.

SUMMARY: In sickle cell disease, erythroid hyperplasia causes trabecular destruction leading to low bone density. This condition could be suspected by the radiomorphometric indices and your diagnosis becomes relevant in a multidisciplinary context of health care for sickle cell subjects, providing prognostics and contributing to determine adequate therapeutic and preventive actions. INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to assess the risk of low bone density in subjects with sickle cell disease (SCD) through analysis of panoramic radiographic exams by radiomorphometric indices. METHODS: Seventy-eight Brazilian subjects with SCD took part in this study and were subdivided into four groups: (I) 31 SCD subjects aged under 40 years; (II) 13 SCD subjects aged 40 years or more; (III) 12 normal subjects aged under 40 years; and (IV) 22 normal subjects aged 40 years or more. In the panoramic radiographs, the mandibular cortical index (MCI) classification, increased spacing of the trabecular bone, panoramic mandibular index (PMI), and mental index (MI) were evaluated. Exact Fisher's test was used to compare age between the different groups. Descriptive analysis of the data was performed to evaluate the simple visual estimation of low bone density (increased bone trabecular space and MCI), and a one-way analysis of variance (Bonferroni criteria) was used to compare the means of the quantitative indices (PMI and MI). The significance level was p < 0.05. RESULTS: In the MCI classification, C2 was more prevalent, especially in groups I and IV. Increased spacing of the trabecular bone was more frequent in groups I and II. MI did not show a statistically significant difference among the groups. PMI showed a statistically significant difference only between groups III and IV. CONCLUSIONS: The radiomorphometric indices applied in the present study can be used on panoramic radiographs to detect the presence of low bone density in SCD subjects.

Evaluation of bioaugmentation efficiency for the treatment of run-off water under tropical conditions: applications to the Derby-Tacaruna canal (Recife/Brazil).

An evaluation of the efficiency of bacterial biomass augmentation was performed at lab-scale for the pollution treatment of the Derby-Tacaruna canal. The canal is located at the central area of Great Recife, alongside an important urban corridor. The characterization of the canal water in different tidal conditions showed that the actual pollution is organic and inorganic (heavy metals). Degradation experiments of water from the canal and rain-off system polluted by synthetic wastewater were performed, using activated sludge and an industrial bioadditive. Continuous reactors under two different conditions were evaluated: with diffuse aeration and without aeration. The channel reactor was operated under steady state conditions at a flow rate of 2.5 L h(-1) and with an average residence time of 22 h without aeration and 17 h with aeration. The organic matter removal was in the range of 60% for the system inoculated with the bioadditive and 85% with activated sludge. It was concluded that the water of the Derby-Tacaruna canal may be treated by activated sludge without being affected by its salt content, while the bioaugmentation technique was not satisfactory due to inhibition by inorganics.

Trophic activity derived from bone marrow mononuclear cells increases peripheral nerve regeneration by acting on both neuronal and glial cell populations.

A rat model of complete sciatic nerve transection was used to evaluate the effect of bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMC) transplanted to the injury site immediately after lesion. Rats treated with BMMC had both sensory and motor axons reaching the distal stump earlier compared to untreated animals. In addition, BMMC transplantation reduced cell death in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) compared to control animals. Transplanted BMMC remained in the lesion site for several days but there is no evidence of BMMC differentiation into Schwann cells. However, an increase in the number of Schwann cells, satellite cells and astrocytes was observed in the treated group. Moreover, neutralizing antibodies for nerve growth factor (NGF) (but not for brain-derived neurotrophic factor and ciliary-derived neurotrophic factor) added to the BMMC-conditioned medium reduced neurite growth of sensory and sympathetic neurons in vitro, suggesting that BMMC release NGF, improve regeneration of the sciatic nerve in the adult rat and stimulate Schwann and satellite cell proliferation or a combination of both.

Proregion of Acanthoscelides obtectus cysteine proteinase: a novel peptide with enhanced selectivity toward endogenous enzymes.

Acanthoscelides obtectus is a devastating storage insect pest capable of causing severe bean crop losses. In order to maintain their own development, insect pest larvae feed continuously, synthesizing efficient digestive enzymes. Among them, cysteine proteinases (CPs) are commonly produced as inactive precursors (procysteines), requiring a cleavage of the peptide proregion to become active. The proregion fits tightly into the active site of procysteines, efficiently preventing their activity. In this report, a CP cDNA (cpao) was isolated from A. obtectus midgut larvae. In silico studies indicated that the complete CP sequence contains a hydrophobic signal peptide, a prodomain and a conserved catalytic region. Moreover, the encoding cDNA contains 963bp translating into a 321 residue protein, CPAo, which was expressed in E. coli, fused with thioredoxin. Enzymatic assays using the recombinant protein revealed that the enzyme was catalytically active, being able to cleave the synthetic substrate Z-Phe-Arg-7-AMC. Additionally, this report also focuses the cpao propeptide (PCPAo) subcloning and expression. The expressed propeptide efficiently inhibited CPAo, as well as digestive CP of other bean bruchids. Little or no activity was found against proteolytic enzymes of two other coleopterans: Rhyzopertha dominica and Anthonomus grandis. The data reported here indicate the possibility of endogenous propeptides as a novel strategy on bruchids control, which could be applicable to bean improvement programs.

Use of interferon alpha in intratumoral chemotherapy for cystic craniopharyngioma.

OBJECTIVES: This study analyzed the intratumoral activity of interferon alpha (IFN-alpha) in the treatment of cystic craniopharyngiomas. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From January 2000 to January 2004, nine patients presenting with cystic craniopharyngiomas were treated with intratumoral injection of IFN-alpha at the Pediatric Oncology Institute of the Federal University of São Paulo-Escola Paulista de Medicina. Age ranged from 1 year and 10 months to 18 years (mean 10 years). All intratumoral catheters were inserted by a subfrontal approach. Doses varied from 36 to 108 MU. RESULTS: There was complete disappearance of the lesion in seven cases. In two cases, partial reduction of tumor size was observed at follow-up. Follow-up varied from 1 year to 3 years and 6 months (mean 1 year 8 months). CONCLUSIONS: IFN-alpha proved to be an effective drug in the control of cystic craniopharyngiomas. Additional studies should be carried out to determine the optimal dose of IFN-alpha in the treatment of cystic craniopharyngioma. In addition, other drugs possessing high efficacy and low neurotoxicity should be analyzed.

Herbimycin A induces sympathetic neuron survival and protects against hypoxia.

We have examined how herbimycin affects the survival and neuritogenesis of avian sympathetic neurons. Herbimycin promoted sympathetic neuron survival and neuritogenesis. At higher concentrations (> or = 100 ng/ml), herbimycin still enhanced neuron survival but blocked neuritogenesis. Addition of herbimycin (10-30 ng/ml) to neurons cultured in the presence of NGF or retinal conditioned medium altered neuronal morphology, with an increase in the number of neurites. Addition of NGF during hypoxia rescued 52% of the neurons compared to 14% survival in control conditions. Herbimycin alone rescued about 50% of the neurons. In the presence of NGF and 100 ng/ml herbimycin, 81% of the neurons survived hypoxia. Our results show that herbimycin promotes survival of chick sympathetic neurons and potentiates the effects of NGF.

Scanning electron microscopy of angioarchitecture of palatine gingiva in young rabbits.

The angioarchitecture of young rabbits' palatine gingiva was studied by using the corrosion resin cast method. The vascular corrosion casts were obtained using low viscosity resin (Mercox CL-2B) and were observed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The palatine gingiva had areas with various arrangements. The capillaries of the palatine gingiva and interdental papillae had numerous projections, but in the gingival sulcus, the blood vessels were arranged in a flattened network from their capillary extremities. The blood vessels supplying the alveolar bone were also clearly seen.

Biomass production and secretion of hydrolytic enzymes are influenced by the structural complexity of the nitrogen source in Fusarium oxysporum and Aspergillus nidulans.

The structural complexity of the nitrogen sources strongly affects biomass production and secretion of hydrolytic enzymes in filamentous fungi. Fusarium oxysporum and Aspergillus nidulans were grown in media containing glucose or starch, and supplemented with a nitrogen source varying from a single ammonium salt (ammonium sulfate) to free amino acids (casamino acids), peptides (peptone) and protein (gelatin). In glucose, when the initial pH was adjusted to 5.0, for both microorganisms, higher biomass production occurred upon supplementation with a nitrogen source in the peptide form (peptone and gelatin). With a close to neutrality pH, biomass accumulation was lower only in the presence of the ammonium salt. When grown in starch, biomass accumulation and secretion of hydrolytic enzymes (amylolytic and proteolytic) by Fusarium also depended on the nature of the nitrogen supplement and the pH. When the initial pH was adjusted to 5.0, higher growth and higher amylolytic activities were detected in the media supplemented with peptone, gelatin and casamino acids. However, at pH 7.0, higher biomass accumulation and higher amylolytic activities were observed upon supplementation with peptone or gelatin. Ammonium sulfate and casamino acids induced a lower production of biomass, and a different level of amylolytic enzyme secretion: high in ammonium sulfate and low in casamino acids. Secretion of proteolytic activity was always higher in the media supplemented with peptone and gelatin. Aspergillus, when grown in starch, was not as dependent as Fusarium on the nature of nitrogen source or the pH. The results described in this work indicate that the metabolism of fungi is regulated not only by pH, but also by the level of structural complexity of the nitrogen source in correlation to the carbon source.

Advantages of the rapid HIV-1 test in occupational accidents with potentially contaminated material among health workers.

In occupational accidents involving health professionals handling potentially contaminated material, the decision to start or to continue prophylactic medication against infection by Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) has been based on the ELISA test applied to a blood sample from the source patient. In order to rationalize the prophylactic use of antiretroviral agents, a rapid serologic diagnostic test of HIV infection was tested by the enzymatic immunoabsorption method (SUDS HIV 1+2, MUREX) and compared to conventional ELISA (Abbott HIV-1/ HIV-2 3rd Generation plus EIA). A total of 592 cases of occupational accidents were recorded at the University Hospital of Ribeirão Preto from July 1998 to April 1999. Of these, 109 were simultaneously evaluated by the rapid test and by ELISA HIV. The rapid test was positive in three cases and was confirmed by ELISA and in one the result was inconclusive and later found to be negative by ELISA. In the 106 accidents in which the rapid test was negative no prophylactic medication was instituted, with an estimated reduction in costs of US$ 2,889.35. In addition to this advantage, the good correlation of the rapid test with ELISA, the shorter duration of stress and the absence of exposure of the health worker to the adverse effects of antiretroviral agents suggest the adoption of this test in Programs of Attention to Accidents with Potentially Contaminated Material.

Characterization and evaluation of some virulence markers of Listeria monocytogenes strains isolated from Brazilian cheeses using molecular, biochemical and serotyping techniques.

A total of 207 L. monocytogenes strains isolated from different types of cheeses commercialized in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, were serotyped and evaluated for their ability to produce beta-haemolysin and lecithinase and to adsorb Congo red dye. Of the 207 strains, 59.9, 27.5 and 12.6% belonged to serotypes 1/2a, 1/2b and 4b, respectively. In addition, 175 strains of L. monocytogenes produced lecithinase while strains of the other species did not. Some of the non-L. monocytogenes strains adsorbed the dye Congo red, while some L. monocytogenes did not. Statistical analysis of the results showed significant differences (P < 0.05) amongst the virulence tests and the three serotypes found. In the present study, 32 L. monocytogenes strains were also analyzed by RAPD (randomly amplified polymorphic DNA). RAPD analysis allowed the discrimination among strains of different serotypes, as well as among strains of the same serotype. It is important to emphasize that the use of more than one primer is needed for characterization of L. monocytogenes strains. With RAPD the strains were grouped into six different profiles, some of them common for strains belonging to different serotypes. The results also indicated a close genetic relationship among strains of different serotypes.

Analysis of structural and physico-chemical parameters involved in the specificity of binding between alpha-amylases and their inhibitors.

Enzyme-inhibitor specificity was studied for alpha-amylases and their inhibitors. We purified and cloned the cDNAs of two different alpha-amylase inhibitors from the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) and have recently cloned the cDNA of an alpha-amylase of the Mexican bean weevil (Zabrotes subfasciatus), which is inhibited by alpha-amylase inhibitor 2 but not by alpha-amylase inhibitor 1. The crystal structure of AI-1 complexed with pancreatic porcine alpha-amylase allowed us to model the structure of AI-2. The structure of Zabrotes subfasciatus alpha-amylase was modeled based on the crystal structure of Tenebrio molitor alpha-amylase. Pairwise AI-1 and AI-2 with PPA and ZSA complexes were modeled. For these complexes we first identified the interface forming residues. In addition, we identified the hydrogen bonds, ionic interactions and loss of hydrophobic surface area resulting from complex formation. The parameters we studied provide insight into the general scheme of binding, but fall short of explaining the specificity of the inhibition. We also introduce three new tools-software packages STING, HORNET and STINGPaint-which efficiently determine the interface forming residues and the ionic interaction data, the hydrogen bond net as well as aid in interpretation of multiple sequence alignment, respectively.

Incidence of Listeria monocytogenes in cheese produced in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The present study evaluated the incidence of Listeria spp. in some Brazilian cheeses obtained from retail stores in Rio de Janeiro, Of 103 samples of various types of cheese examined as recommended in the Listeria isolation protocol of the Health Protection Branch of Canada, 11 (10.68%) were contaminated by Listeria monocytogenes, 13 (12.62%) by Listeria innocua, 6 (5.83%) by Listeria grayi, and 1 (0.97%) by Listeria welshimeri. A higher incidence of L. monocytogenes as observed mainly in the homemade Minas Frescal cheeses (a Brazilian soft white cheese, eaten fresh), 7 of 17 (41.17%), followed by ripened cheeses, 3 of 53 (5.67%), and industrially manufactured Frescal (Minas and Ricotta) cheeses, 1 of 33 (3.03%). Three serotypes (1/2a, 1/2b and 4b) were observed among the strains of L. monocytogenes isolated, all of them being frequently involved in outbreaks of foodborne listeriosis and sporadic cases of the disease all over the world.