Preoperative Locoregional Therapy May Relate with Stemness and Distinct Transitions Between Epithelial and Mesenchymal States in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Background/Objectives: Locoregional therapy (LRT) might impel hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) to exhibit different phenotypes by modulating tumoral cell adaptation. HCCs presurgically treated with LRT were studied, focusing on stemness and mesenchymal features. Methods: Clinicopathological and immunohistochemical data (Ki67, p53, EpCAM, CK19, CK7, ASMA and vimentin expression) were considered in 89 HCC nodules (30 treated with LRT; 59 non-treated), comprising 46 liver transplanted/surgically resected patients. Results: In LRT group, well and poorly differentiated tumors without fibrous encapsulation were predominant (P < 0.05) and peritumoral necroinflammation severity tended to be greater. Peritumoral Ki67 expression was higher (P < 0.05) and p53, EpCAM, CK19 and CK7 peritumoral expression was relevant after LRT, where ablated carcinomas displayed higher peritumoral CK19 expression (P < 0.05). Tumoral ASMA and vimentin expression was higher in non-LRT group (P < 0.05). In LRT group, an exclusive association between progenitor/cholangiocytic cell and mesenchymal markers expressed by tumoral cells was observed (P < 0.05): EpCAM tumoral expression associated with vimentin stromal expression; tumoral CK19 expression associated with stromal ASMA expression; tumoral CK7 expression associated with tumoral vimentin expression. Conclusion: Peritumoral cellular proliferation and expression of progenitor/cholangiocytic cell markers seem to be more frequent after LRT, with a distinctive epithelial-mesenchymal interplay and plasticity in peritumoral and tumoral compartments.

Hepatocellular carcinoma: tumor heterogeneity and recurrence after preoperative locoregional therapy.

How locoregional therapy (LRT) may change tumor compositional and functional heterogeneity, consequently contributing to treatment resistance and tumor recurrence remains largely unknown. A series of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) treated with preoperative locoregional therapy (LRT) that relapsed after surgery was studied. Thirty HCCs comprising 15 patients treated with LRT prior to liver transplantation (n = 14)/surgical resection (n = 1) were studied. Five patients undergoing pre-transplant LRT, comprising 11 HCCs, presented tumor recurrence (median recurrence time = 10 months). Clinicopathological data and immunoexpression of proliferation markers (Ki67, p53), cholangiocytic/hepatic progenitor cell (HPC) markers (EpCAM)/BerEp4, CK19, CK7) and mesenchymal markers (ASMA, vimentin) were evaluated in tumoral epithelial/stromal cells and in peritumoral parenchyma. Higher grading of tumor differentiation, microvascular invasion and tumoral cell p53 expression significantly associated with recurrence (p < 0.05). Piecemeal necrosis features were more frequent in tumors that recurred (p < 0,05). Tumoral and peritumoral Ki67 expression and EpCAM, CK19 and CK7 expression in tumoral cells tended to be higher in treated tumors that recurred. Peritumoral expression of cholangiocytic/HPC markers and tumoral epithelial and stromal cellular expression of mesenchymal markers tended to be higher for tumors without recurrence. Recurrence after transplant with preoperative LRT might be associated with poor HCC differentiation, higher cellular proliferation rate, peritumoral piecemeal necrosis features and cholangiocytic/HPC phenotypes. Understanding HCC progression factors after LRT might be important for optimizing patient selection for treatment, improving surveillance after LRT and to explore synergies between LRT and systemic targeted therapies to prevent recurrence.

Maternal Risk Factors Associated with Negative COVID-19 Outcomes and Their Relation to Socioeconomic Indicators in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to analyze maternal risk factors associated with negative outcomes of COVID-19 and association with socioeconomic indicators in Brazil. METHODS: A cross-sectional study, with data from the Influenza Epidemiological Surveillance Information System (SIVEP-Flu) of pregnant women with COVID-19 and cases of hospitalization and death. For the analysis of risk factors and outcomes, the multiple logistic regression method was used. RESULTS: Pregnant women who had some risk factor represented 47.04%. The chance of death was 2.48 times greater when there was a risk factor, 1.55 for ICU admission and 1.43 for use of ventilatory support. The percentage of cure was 79.64%, 15.46% without any negative outcome, 4.65% death and 0.26% death from other causes. Pregnant women who did not take the vaccine represented 30.08%, 16.74% took it and 53.18% were not specified. The variables HDI, illiteracy, per capita income and urbanization did not influence the cases of COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS: Factors such as age, obesity, asthma and pregnancy were responsible for the increase in hospitalizations, respiratory complications and death. Vaccination reduced the risk of negative outcomes by 50%. There were no correlations between socioeconomic indicators and the negative outcomes of COVID-19 in pregnant women.

A look through Latin America truck drivers' health, a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Heavy truck drivers represent a social group of great importance to any country's economy. Their professional activity requires a high level of dedication. Due to the irregular hours in their work routine and adopted habits, they mostly predispose them to a diversity of health problems. The purpose of this study is to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis aiming to identify the prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, and obesity in Latin American Truck Drivers. We searched the PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and LILACS databases, for scientific publications articles, as reported by The PRISMA Statement. From 1,382, 7 studies were included according to the established criteria. The hypertension prevalence found was 34.2%, diabetes was of 9.2% and the highest prevalence found was for overweight and obesity (56%). Meta-analysis presented that drivers have a higher prevalence of overweight or obesity when compared to eutrophic individuals and that drivers with diabetes and hyperglycemia have a lower prevalence. Due to their work activity, their access to the health system is compromised limiting any type of monitoring of their health. This study showed that there is, in Latin America, an investment and assistance gap, both in the health sector and in the research section, for this professional category, which is so important to the economy of these countries. These data should help to identify the difficulties faced by this professional in health assistance, road safety, public safety, leisure and social life. This research also highlighted that they are young and already have the first sign of non-transmissible chronic diseases, which is overweight and obesity.

Comparative Analysis of Mortality due to Breast Cancer and Mammography Uptake in the Federative Units of Brazil-2015 to 2021.

Objective: Compare the breast cancer mortality rate and the rate of mammograms with socioeconomic factors, in Brazilian´s Federative Units, during the period of 2015 to 2021. Methods: This is an ecological study, of a descriptive nature, which covers the 27 Brazilian federative units, using secondary data extracted from the DATASUS System. The information analyzed was mammography data, breast cancer mortality, demographic and economic data of the resident population and women over 20 years of age. Results: There is a direct relationship between mortality rate and mammograms rates in the Federative Units. The data obtained for Brazil presents a total of 133,048 deaths from breast cancer and 17,324,526 mammography exams in the period from 2015 to 2021. In other words, Brazil presents a standardized mortality rate value, 19.25 deaths per 100,000 women. Regarding the mammography rate, the value of the exam-specific mammography rate was 2,506.55 per 100,000 women. In relation to socioeconomic data by mortality rate group, higher mortality rates from breast cancer present higher rates in the variables: income rate by State (2,594.86), people with income (63.5), average percentage of women with more over 50 years old (29.5%), women with average years of education (6.64), white population (55.1%) and mammography exam rate (2873.20). When analysing the highest rates of mammography exam rates, higher rates are observed income rate by State (2,161.47), people with income (62.5%), average percentage of women over 50 years old (28.6%), women with an average number of years of education (5.8). Conclusion: Brazil has a high mortality rate due to breast cancer, when compared to other countries. The reasons are diverse, such as the modern, industrialized and populous lifestyle. The Federative Units with the highest mortality rate also have high rates of mammograms, that is, in the Federative Units with "better" sociodemographic conditions, the South and Southeast.

Prevalence and Impact of Academic Violence in Medical Education.

Situations of mistreatment in the academic environment are prevalent worldwide, but research in this area is scarce in middle-low-income countries. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of mistreatment inflicted against Brazilian medical students. In addition, characterize these situations and analyze their consequences. Cross-sectional study conducted with 831 medical students from public and private institutions. Absolute and relative frequencies of the analyzed variables and possible associations were determined through univariate and multivariate logistic regression. Chi-square test of association with second-order Rao-Scott adjustment was also used. The response rate was 56%. Public institution pointed to a higher prevalence of mistreatment when compared to private (59% versus 43%). Female students were the most affected. Verbal and psychological aggression was more prevalent. The aggressor usually was a faculty member. Mistreatment incidence increased over the years of training, with higher rates in the internship. About 94% of the students felt affected in anyway, with 77% feeling diminished and depressed. More than 50% reported impaired academic performance. Almost 30% sought help from experts. The reporting rate was extremely low. Adequate identification of the situations by the victims, safe reporting mechanisms and, an educational system capable of maintaining an appropriate learning environment are essential to break this destructive cycle.

Nucleolin Overexpression Predicts Patient Prognosis While Providing a Framework for Targeted Therapeutic Intervention in Lung Cancer.

Notwithstanding the advances in the treatment of lung cancer with immune checkpoint inhibitors, the high percentage of non-responders supports the development of novel anticancer treatments. Herein, the expression of the onco-target nucleolin in patient-derived pulmonary carcinomas was characterized, along with the assessment of its potential as a therapeutic target. The clinical prognostic value of nucleolin for human pulmonary carcinomas was evaluated through data mining from the Cancer Genome Atlas project and immunohistochemical detection in human samples. Cell surface expression of nucleolin was evaluated by flow cytometry and subcellular fraction Western blotting in lung cancer cell lines. Nucleolin mRNA overexpression correlated with poor overall survival of lung adenocarcinoma cancer patients and further predicted the disease progression of both lung adenocarcinoma and squamous carcinoma. Furthermore, a third of the cases presented extra-nuclear expression, contrasting with the nucleolar pattern in non-malignant tissues. A two- to twelve-fold improvement in cytotoxicity, subsequent to internalization into the lung cancer cell lines of doxorubicin-loaded liposomes functionalized by the nucleolin-binding F3 peptide, was correlated with the nucleolin cell surface levels and the corresponding extent of cell binding. Overall, the results suggested nucleolin overexpression as a poor prognosis predictor and thus a target for therapeutic intervention in lung cancer.

The Impact of Violence on the Anxiety Levels of Healthcare Personnel During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic stressed the importance of healthcare personnel. However, there is evidence of an increase in violence against them, which brings consequences, such as anxiety. The aim of this study was to analyze the anxiety levels of health professionals who have or not suffered violence during the COVID-19 pandemic, and verify the variables associated with the risk of starting to take medication for anxiety. Methods: We assessed the anxiety profile of health professionals in Brazil through an online questionnaire, using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item Scale (GAD-7), in relation to groups of participants who have or not suffered violence during the COVID-19 pandemic. We used Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficient to check the consistency of the responses, and the effect size using the r coefficient. Principal Component Analysis was used to verify the differences in anxiety scores between the two groups. Logistic regression analysis was also used to verify the variables associated with the risk of starting medication for anxiety and considered statistically significant when p < 0.05. Results: A total of 1,166 health professionals participated in the study, in which 34.13% had a normal anxiety profile, 40.14% mild, 15.78% moderate, and 9.95% severe. The mean score of the sum of the GAD-7 was 7.03 (SD 5.20). The group that suffered violence had a higher mean (8.40; SD 5.42) compared to the group that did not (5.70; SD 4.60). In addition, the median between both groups was significantly different (7.0 vs. 5.0; p < 0.01). Approximately 18.70% of the participants reported having started taking medication to treat anxiety during the pandemic. The factors that increased the chances of these professionals starting medication for anxiety p < 0.05 were having suffered violence during the pandemic (OR 1.97; 95% CI 1.42-2.77), being nurses (OR 1.61; 95% CI 1.04-2.47) or other types of health professionals (OR 1.58; 95% CI 1.04-2.38), and having a mild (OR 2.11; 95% CI 1.37-3.34), moderate (OR 4.05; 95% CI 2.48-6.71) or severe (OR 9.08; 95% CI 5.39-15.6) anxiety level. Conclusion: Brazilian healthcare professionals who have suffered violence during the pandemic have higher anxiety scores and higher risk to start taking anxiety medication.

Predictors of violence against health professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The increase in violence against health professionals in the COVID-19 pandemic makes it necessary to identify the predictors of violence, in order to prevent these events from happening. OBJECTIVE: Evaluating the prevalence and analyzing the variables involved in the occurrence of violence against health professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. METHOD: This is a cross-sectional study conducted online involving Brazilian health professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic. The data were collected through a structured questionnaire (Google Online Form) sent to health professionals on social networks and analyzed through logistic regression by using sociodemographic variables. The set of grouped variables was assigned to the final model when p <0.05. A network was built using the Mixed Graph Models (MGM) approach. A centrality measurement chart was constructed to determine which nodes have the greatest influence, strength and connectivity between the nodes around them. RESULTS: The predictors of violence in the adjusted regression model were the following: being a nursing technician / assistant; having been working for less than 20 years; working for over 37 hours a week; having suffered violence before the pandemic; having been contaminated with COVID-19; working in direct contact with patients infected by the virus; and having family members who have suffered violence. The network created with professionals who suffered violence demonstrated that the aggressions occurred mainly in the workplace, with an indication of psycho-verbal violence. In cases in which the aggressors were close people, aggressions were non-verbal and happened both in public and private places. The assaults practiced by strangers occurred in public places. CONCLUSIONS: Violence against health professionals occurs implicitly and explicitly, with consequences that can affect both their psychosocial well-being and the assistance given to their patients and families.

VARIABLES INVOLVED IN THE MANAGEMENT OF SCHOOL BULLYING: A BAYESIAN NETWORK ANALYSIS.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the management of bullying by the managers of elementary schools. METHODS: Descriptive, exploratory research carried out through semi-structured interviews with 17 school counselors from a city in the South of Brazil, randomly selected from different geographical sectors. The interviews were recorded with participants' consent and, after transcription and checking, were discarded. The interviews covered the following subjects: sociodemographic characterization of subjects, school functioning, comprehension, recognition and management of bullying cases by counselors. Data analysis was performed using the Bayesian network associated with content analysis. RESULTS: The majority of subjects were females, between 30 and 50 years old. Fifteen subjects were graduated in pedagogy, and all had postgraduate degrees. Most of them worked as counselor for less than three years. Only two subjects, between 30 and 50 years old, understood the term bullying. Case recognition was lower in this age group. Having a degree influenced positively the recognition of bullying. The higher the number of students in the school, the lower the recognition of cases by managers. All subjects managed cases by addressing children, families, staff, and involving professionals and support groups. CONCLUSIONS: The understanding and recognition of bullying was given by a few interviewees. All managers reported similar management actions in the cases. Given the scarcity of studies on bullying management in schools, more studies in this area could improve the approach of cases and contribute to their reduction.

Variables involved in the management of school bullying: a bayesian network analysis / Variáveis envolvidas no gerenciamento de conflitos do tipo bullying em escolas: uma análise de rede bayesiana

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the management of bullying by the managers of elementary schools. Methods: Descriptive, exploratory research carried out through semi-structured interviews with 17 school counselors from a city in the South of Brazil, randomly selected from different geographical sectors. The interviews were recorded with participants' consent and, after transcription and checking, were discarded. The interviews covered the following subjects: sociodemographic characterization of subjects, school functioning, comprehension, recognition and management of bullying cases by counselors. Data analysis was performed using the Bayesian network associated with content analysis. Results: The majority of subjects were females, between 30 and 50 years old. Fifteen subjects were graduated in pedagogy, and all had postgraduate degrees. Most of them worked as counselor for less than three years. Only two subjects, between 30 and 50 years old, understood the term bullying. Case recognition was lower in this age group. Having a degree influenced positively the recognition of bullying. The higher the number of students in the school, the lower the recognition of cases by managers. All subjects managed cases by addressing children, families, staff, and involving professionals and support groups. Conclusions: The understanding and recognition of bullying was given by a few interviewees. All managers reported similar management actions in the cases. Given the scarcity of studies on bullying management in schools, more studies in this area could improve the approach of cases and contribute to their reduction.

RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar o gerenciamento de conflitos do tipo bullying pelos gestores de escolas de ensino fundamental. Métodos: Pesquisa descritiva e exploratória realizada por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas com 17 orientadores de escolas escolhidas aleatoriamente de um município do Sul do Brasil, contemplando os diversos setores geográficos locais. As entrevistas foram gravadas mediante consentimento, e, após transcrição e conferência pelos sujeitos, descartadas. As entrevistas abordam: caracterização sociodemográfica dos sujeitos, funcionamento da escola e compreensão, reconhecimento e gerenciamento dos casos de bullying pelos orientadores. A análise dos dados foi feita com base na rede bayesiana associada à análise de conteúdo. Resultados: A maioria dos sujeitos era do sexo feminino e tinha entre 30 e 50 anos. Quinze sujeitos eram formados em pedagogia, e todos possuíam pós-graduação. A maioria atuava na função de orientador havia menos de três anos. A compreensão do termo bullying deu-se apenas por dois sujeitos, com idade entre 30 e 50 anos. Já o reconhecimento dos casos foi menor nessa faixa etária. Ter feito pós-graduação influenciou positivamente o reconhecimento de bullying. Quanto maior o número de alunos na escola, menor o reconhecimento dos casos pelos gestores. Todos os sujeitos gerenciaram os casos abordando as crianças, famílias e equipe e envolvendo profissionais e núcleos de apoio. Conclusões: A compreensão e o reconhecimento do bullying deram-se por poucos entrevistados. Todos os gestores relataram ações de gerenciamento semelhantes diante dos casos. Tendo em vista a escassez de estudos sobre gestão de bullying na escola, mais estudos nessa área poderiam melhorar a abordagem dos casos, contribuindo para sua redução.

Clinical performance evaluation of the Idylla™ EGFR Mutation Test on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue of non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Detection of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations in exons 18-21 is recommended in all patients with advanced Non-small-cell lung carcinoma due to the demonstrated efficiency of the standard therapy with tyrosine kinase inhibitors in EGFR-mutated patients. Therefore, choosing a suitable technique to test EGFR mutational status is crucial to warrant a valid result in a short turnaround time using the lowest possible amount of tissue material. The Idylla™ EGFR Mutation Test is a simple, fast and reliable method designed for the detection of EGFR mutations from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples. The aim of this study was the Clinical Performace Evaluation of the Idylla™ EGFR Mutation Test on the Idylla™ System. METHODS: EGFR mutational status was determined on 132 archived formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue sections with Idylla™ technology. Results were compared with the results previously obtained by routine method in the reference lab (Therascreen® EGFR RGQ PCR v2, Qiagen in Molecular Pathology lab, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío de Sevilla). RESULTS: The overall agreement between results obtained with the Idylla™ EGFR Mutation Test and the Comparator test method was 95.38% (with 1-sided 95% lower limit of 91.7%) showing Positive Diagnostic Agreement of 93.22% and Negative Diagnostic Agreement of 97.18%, with a Limit Of Detection ≤5%. CONCLUSIONS: The Idylla™ EGFR Mutation Test passed its clinical validity performance characteristics for accuracy.

Suicide mortality among youth in southern Brazil: a spatiotemporal evaluation of socioeconomic vulnerability

Objective: To conduct a geospatial analysis of suicide deaths among young people in the state of Paraná, southern Brazil, and evaluate their association with socioeconomic and spatial determinants. Methods: Data were obtained from the Mortality Information System and the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics. Data on suicide mortality rates (SMR) were extracted for three age groups (15-19, 20-24, and 25-29 years) from two 5-year periods (1998-2002 and 2008-2012). Geospatial data were analyzed through exploratory spatial data analysis. We applied Bayesian networks algorithms to explore the network structure of the socioeconomic predictors of SMR. Results: We observed spatial dependency in SMR in both periods, revealing geospatial clusters of high SMR. Our results show that socioeconomic deprivation at the municipality level was an important determinant of suicide in the youth population in Paraná, and significantly influenced the formation of high-risk SMR clusters. Conclusion: While youth suicide is multifactorial, there are predictable geospatial and sociodemographic factors associated with high SMR among municipalities in Paraná. Suicide among youth aged 15-29 occurs in geographic clusters which are associated with socioeconomic deprivation. Rural settings with poor infrastructure and development also correlate with increased SMR clusters.

Suicide mortality among youth in southern Brazil: a spatiotemporal evaluation of socioeconomic vulnerability.

OBJECTIVE: To conduct a geospatial analysis of suicide deaths among young people in the state of Paraná, southern Brazil, and evaluate their association with socioeconomic and spatial determinants. METHODS: Data were obtained from the Mortality Information System and the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics. Data on suicide mortality rates (SMR) were extracted for three age groups (15-19, 20-24, and 25-29 years) from two 5-year periods (1998-2002 and 2008-2012). Geospatial data were analyzed through exploratory spatial data analysis. We applied Bayesian networks algorithms to explore the network structure of the socioeconomic predictors of SMR. RESULTS: We observed spatial dependency in SMR in both periods, revealing geospatial clusters of high SMR. Our results show that socioeconomic deprivation at the municipality level was an important determinant of suicide in the youth population in Paraná, and significantly influenced the formation of high-risk SMR clusters. CONCLUSION: While youth suicide is multifactorial, there are predictable geospatial and sociodemographic factors associated with high SMR among municipalities in Paraná. Suicide among youth aged 15-29 occurs in geographic clusters which are associated with socioeconomic deprivation. Rural settings with poor infrastructure and development also correlate with increased SMR clusters.

Relationship between leadership, bullying in the workplace and turnover intention among nurses.

AIM: To identify the factors associated with bullying and turnover intention among nurses. BACKGROUND: Previous studies have demonstrated an association between leadership, bullying and turnover intention. However, few studies to date have addressed this topic among nurses. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted using web-based data collection followed by data analysis using logistic regression and multinomial logistic regression models. RESULTS: Having more than one job (odds ratio (OR) = 2.9) and a low relationship-oriented leadership style (OR = 5.8) were positively associated with personal and work-related bullying, respectively. A low relationship-oriented leadership style (OR = 4.0), age of 19-29 years (OR = 4.5) and length of employment at the institution of 5-10 years (OR = 4.9) were positively correlated with a high turnover intention. The following variables were correlated with a moderate turnover intention: a low relationship-oriented leadership style (OR = 3.4), having a bachelor's degree (OR = 2.0) and working in a philanthropic institution (OR = 2.5). Working in a private institution (OR = 0.8) was negatively associated with a moderate turnover intention. CONCLUSIONS: A low relationship-oriented leadership style and social and work factors were associated with bullying and turnover intention. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSE MANAGERS: Nurse managers, in addition to developing technical skills, need to develop skills to manage human relationships to prevent bullying and turnover among nurses.

Regional disparities in the intimate partner sexual violence rate against women in Paraná State, Brazil, 2009-2014: an ecological study.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate disparities in a Brazilian state by conducting an analysis to determine whether socioeconomic status was associated with the reported intimate partner sexual violence (IPSV) rates against women. DESIGN: A retrospective, ecological study. SETTINGS: Data retrieved from the Notifiable Diseases Information System database of the Ministry of Health of Brazil. PARTICIPANTS: All cases of IPSV (n=516) against women aged 15-49 years reported in the Notifiable Diseases Information System between 2009 and 2014. OUTCOME MEASURES: The data were evaluated through an exploratory analysis of spatial data. RESULTS: We identified a positive spatial self-correlation in the IPSV rate (0.7105, P≤0.001). Five high-high-type clusters were identified, predominantly in the Metropolitan, West, South Central, Southwest, Southeast and North Central mesoregions, with only one cluster identified in the North Pioneer mesoregion. Our findings also indicated that the associations between the IPSV rate and socioeconomic predictors (women with higher education, civil registry of legal separations, economically active women, demographic density and average female income) were significantly spatially non-stationary; thus, the regression coefficients verified that certain variables in the model were associated with the IPSV rate in some regions of the state. In addition, the geographically weighted regression (GWR) model improved the understanding of the associations between socioeconomic indicators and the IPSV notification rate, showing a better adjustment than the ordinary least square (OLS) model (OLS vs GWR model: R2: 0.95 vs 0.99; Akaike information criterion: 4117.90 vs 3550.61; Moran's I: 0.0905 vs -0.0273, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: IPSV against women was heterogeneous in the state of Paraná. The GWR model showed a better fit and enabled the analysis of the distribution of each indicator in the state, which demonstrated the utility of this model for the study of IPSV dynamics and the indication of local determinants of IPSV notification rates.

Prevalence and characteristics of Epstein-Barr virus-associated gastric carcinomas in Portugal.

BACKGROUND: Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common malignant tumors of the digestive tract and is the third leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has been associated with approximately 10% of the total cases of gastric carcinomas. No previous study has analyzed the prevalence of EBV infection in gastric cancer of the Portuguese population. METHODS: In the present study, we have analyzed 82 gastric carcinoma cases and 33 healthy individuals (control group) from Coimbra region for the presence of EBV by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and by in situ hybridization (ISH) for EBV-encoded small RNAs (EBERs). The status of H. pylori infection was assessed by serology and by PCR. RESULTS: EBV was detected by PCR in 90.2% of stomach cancer cases, whereas EBERs were detected in 11%. In our series, EBV-associated gastric carcinoma (EBVaGC) were significantly associated with gender and the majority of them presented lymph node metastasis. These cases were generally graded in more advanced pTNM stages and, non-surprisingly, showed worse survival. H. pylori infection was detected in 62.2% of the gastric cancers and 64.7% of these patients were CagA+. On the other hand, the H. pylori prevalence was higher in the EBV-negative gastric carcinomas (64.4%) than in those carcinoma cases with EBV+ (44.4%). CONCLUSIONS: The present study shows that prevalence of EBVaGC among Portuguese population is in accordance with the worldwide prevalence. EBV infection seems to be associated to poorer prognostic and no relation to H. pylori infection has been found. Conversely, the presence of H. pylori seems to have a favourable impact on patient's survival. Our results emphasize that geographic variation can contribute with new epidemiological data on the association of EBV with gastric cancer.

Is Preterm Labor Influenced by the Maternal-Fetal Interface?

Preterm labor (PTL) accounts for almost 11% of deliveries, and is a major cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. T regulatory (Treg) cells may prevent fetal rejection by the maternal immune system under the influence of progesterone. Case control study was conducted to determine Treg cells, IL-10, TGF-ß, and membrane progesterone receptorα (mPRα) in the maternal-fetal interface (placenta), including eight pregnant women with threatened PTL (study group) and 16 normal-delivery women (control group). Comparing study group versus control, mean gestational age of delivery differed significantly (p = 0.02), as did endothelial hyperplasia in the upper half (p = 0.035) and the lower half (p = 0.005) of the placenta. Besides, there was higher expression of mPRα and IL-10 in all layers, while Foxp3 expression occurred equally and only in the decidua. TGF-ß expression was similar in both groups. Preterm group placentas showed higher endothelial hyperplasia in both upper and lower halves of the placenta.

Age-related risk factors with nonfatal traffic accidents in urban areas in Maringá, Paraná, Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to analyze the factors associated with the occurrence of nonfatal traffic accidents regarding age. METHODS: A retrospective, transversal, and analytical study was carried out in the municipality of Maringá, Paraná, Brazil, based on data from Boletins de Ocorrência de Acidente de Trânsito ("Police Occurrence Bulletins"; BOATs). Following probability sampling, the sociodemographic aspects, logistics, environmental conditions, and time of occurrence of 418 cases of accidents were analyzed. The age of the victims was considered to be the dependent variable. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and bivariate, multivariate, and variance analysis, considering a confidence interval of 95% and a significance level of 5% (P <.05). RESULTS: Results revealed that young people (15-29 years) were twice as likely to be hospitalized due to severe injuries. Young motorcyclists had a 2.5 times greater chance of suffering accidents (P <.001); the use of other vehicles such as cars, bicycles, buses, and trucks represented a protective factor for this group (P <.05). Multiple logistic regression revealed that the main predictors for the occurrence of accidents were being single, having over 8 years of education, having had a driver's license for less than 3 years, roads with low luminosity, and driving at night. CONCLUSIONS: Demographic, environmental, and logistical factors were associated with morbidity due to traffic accidents among young people. These results challenge society and policy makers to create more effective strategies to minimize this serious public health problem.

Coleta de Dados via Web: Ferramenta coadjuvante na abordagem de temas delicados / Data Collection via Web: Supporting tool in sensitive issues approach / Recopilación de Datos via Web: Apoyo a la herramienta en temas sensibles enfoque

Relato de experiência do desenvolvimento criterioso e bem sucedido de uma coleta de dados via web, realizada por meio da aplicação de instrumento eletrônico para identificar enfermeiros assediados no ambiente de trabalho. Os participantes do estudo foram enfermeiros da rede pública e privada de um município localizado na região Noroeste do Estado do Paraná/Brasil. A experiência de investigação por meio de coleta de dados via web foi constituída de três etapas: Preparação do ambiente de pesquisa, Recrutamento dos sujeitos e Coleta de dados. A coleta de dados via web permitiu o acesso a grande parte da população de diferentes áreas e setores. O lembrete via sistema e contato via telefone mostraram-se grandes promotores à participação dos sujeitos. Embora essa forma de coleta de dados permita acesso fácil ao sujeito, exige do pesquisador o monitoramento constante uma vez que muitas pessoas demonstraram não ter familiaridade com esse tipo de abordagem.

Development experience report judicious and successful of a data collection via web, performed by electronic means for the implementation in order to identify harassed nurses in the workplace. Study participants were nurses from the public and private network a municipality located in the Northwest region of Paraná / Brazil. The experience of research through data collection via web consisted of three stages: Preparation of the research environment, subject recruitment and data collection. Data collection via web enabled access to much of the population in different areas and sectors. The reminder system via and contact telephone proved to be great promoters participation of the subjects. Although this form of data collection allows easy access to the subject, the researcher requires constant monitoring since many people showed not be familiar with this type of approach.

Desarrollo relato de experiencia acertada y exitosa de una colección de datos vía web, realizada por medios electrónicos para la puesta em práctica con el fin de identificar las enfermeras acossados em el lugar de trabajo. Los participantes del estúdio eran enfermeras de la red pública y privada um municipio situado em la región noroeste de Paraná / Brasil. La experiencia de la investigación a través de la recopilación de datos vía web consta de tres etapas: Preparación del entorno de la investigación, el reclutamiento de sujetos y recopilación de datos. La recolección de datos vía web habilitado el acceso a gran parte de la población em las diferentes áreas y sectores. El sistema de recordatorio a través de y teléfono de contacto demostraron ser grandes promotores de la participación de lossujetos. Aunque esta forma de recolección de datos permite un fácil acceso a lamateria, el investigador requiere constante vigilanciaya que muchas personas no mostraron estar familiarizados con este tipo de enfoque.