Despite visceral leishmaniasis (VL) being epidemic in most Brazilian regions, the Northeast region is responsible for the highest morbidity and mortality outcomes within the country.
To analyse the ...spatiotemporal dynamics of VL cases to identify the temporal trends and high-risk areas for VL transmission, as well as the association of the disease with social vulnerability in Brazilian Northeast.
We carried out an ecological time series study employing spatial analysis techniques using all VL confirmed cases of 1,794 municipalities of Brazilian Northeast between the years 2000 to 2017. The Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) was used to represent the social vulnerability. Incidence rates were standardized and smoothed by the Local Empirical Bayesian Method. Time trends were examined through segmented linear regression. Spatiotemporal analysis consisted of uni- and bivariate Global and Local Moran indexes and space-time scan statistics.
Incidence rate remained stable and ranged from 4.84 to 3.52 cases/100,000 inhabitants. There was higher case prevalence between males (62.71%), children and adolescents (63.27%), non-white (69.75%) and urban residents (62.58%). Increasing trends of new cases were observed among adult male subjects (≥ 40 years old) and urban residents. Importantly, VL incidence showed a direct spatial dependence. Spatial and space-time clusters were identified in sertão and meio-norte sub-regions, overlapping with high social vulnerability areas.
VL is a persistent health issue in Brazilian Northeast and associated with social vulnerability. Space-time clustering of VL cases in socially vulnerable municipalities demands intersectoral public policies of surveillance and control, with focus on reducing inequalities and improving living conditions for regional inhabitants.
Most species of Amazonian snakes have wide geographic distributions. However, local environmental factors influence the formation of assemblages in different localities. In this study, we ...investigated the composition of the assemblage and the effect of environmental variables on the distribution of the species inhabiting an upland forest in the Experimental Farm area of the Federal University of Amazonas in Manaus, Brazil. Data collection was carried out in 24 standardized plots. Each plot was sampled four times between July 2015 and April 2017 by active search method. We recorded 83 individuals from 29 species belonging to six families. The richness in the study area corresponded to 78% of the snake species and 100% of the families previously recorded for Manaus. As observed in other localities, the most abundant species was the Amazonian lancehead (Bothrops atrox). Multiple linear regression models did not detect any effect of environmental variables on species richness and abundance of individuals. However, quadratic polynomial regression models revealed that intermediate canopy opening percentages positively influence the richness and abundance of snakes. It is possible that the result is related to a tradeoff between the thermoregulation behavior of these animals and to their susceptibility to predation.
Objective: To analyze the spatial pattern of the incidence of COVID-19 in association with social determinants of health (SDH) in the Northeast Region of Brazil during the first year of the pandemic. ...Methods: We conducted an ecological analytical study that included notifications made between 27 March 2020 and 27 March 2021. The data analysis used two global regression models: the ordinary least squares (OLS) and spatial lag model and the geographically weighted multiscale regression model (GWMSR). Results: We observed that the Gini index, illiteracy rate, percentages of people living below the poverty line, people in households who were vulnerable to poverty, and dependent elderly people are predictors of a higher incidence of COVID-19 in Northeast Brazil. Conclusions: Results of this study may contribute to generating new hypotheses for studies focusing on the syndemic process and for the formulation of intersectoral public policies targeting the population at greatest vulnerability to minimize the impact of the disease.
Dengue virus (DV) infection can cause either a self-limiting flu-like disease or a threatening hemorrhage that may evolve to shock and death. A variety of cell types, such as dendritic cells, ...monocytes, and B cells, can be infected by DV. However, despite the role of T lymphocytes in the control of DV replication, there remains a paucity of information on possible DV-T cell interactions during the disease course. In the present study, we have demonstrated that primary human naive CD4
and CD8
T cells are permissive for DV infection. Importantly, both T cell subtypes support viral replication and secrete viable virus particles. DV infection triggers the activation of both CD4
and CD8
T lymphocytes, but preactivation of T cells reduces the susceptibility of T cells to DV infection. Interestingly, the cytotoxicity-inducing protein granzyme A is highly secreted by human CD4
but not CD8
T cells after exposure to DV
Additionally, using annexin V and polycaspase assays, we have demonstrated that T lymphocytes, in contrast to monocytes, are resistant to DV-induced apoptosis. Strikingly, both CD4
and CD8
T cells were found to be infected with DV in acutely infected dengue patients. Together, these results show that T cells are permissive for DV infection
and
, suggesting that this cell population may be a viral reservoir during the acute phase of the disease.
Infection by dengue virus (DV) causes a flu-like disease that can evolve to severe hemorrhaging and death. T lymphocytes are important cells that regulate antibody secretion by B cells and trigger the death of infected cells. However, little is known about the direct interaction between DV and T lymphocytes. Here, we show that T lymphocytes from healthy donors are susceptible to infection by DV, leading to cell activation. Additionally, T cells seem to be resistant to DV-induced apoptosis, suggesting a potential role as a viral reservoir in humans. Finally, we show that both CD4
and CD8
T lymphocytes from acutely infected DV patients are infected by DV. Our results raise new questions about DV pathogenesis and vaccine development.
Abstract
Background
Leptospirosis is an endemic disease in Brazil of social and economic relevance related to behavioural and socioenvironmental factors. This study aimed to analyse the ...spatiotemporal distribution of the incidence of leptospirosis and its association with social determinants in health in a state of northeastern Brazil.
Methods
An ecological study of temporal series with techniques of spatial analysis using secondary data of the cases of leptospirosis notified in the Information System of Notifiable Diseases of the state of Sergipe (2008–2017) was conducted. The analysis of temporal trends was performed using Poisson regression. Spatial analyses were performed using the Moran index, the local empirical Bayesian model, scan statistics and spatial regression.
Results
The incidence rate decreased from 3.66 to 1.44 cases per 100 000 inhabitants in 2008 and 2017, respectively. Leptospirosis was associated with social inequities, mostly affecting males aged 20–49 y living in urban areas. The space-time scan indicated the formation of a risk cluster in municipalities in the metropolitan region of the state.
Conclusions
The data indicated the persistence of leptospirosis transmission, maintaining a pattern of high endemicity in some municipalities associated with social inequities. The study showed the temporal and spatial dynamics of the disease to better target specific actions for prevention and control.
Abstract
Since its emergence in late 2019, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) has caused millions of deaths and socioeconomic losses. Although vaccination significantly reduced disease mortality, it ...has been shown that protection wanes over time, and that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) variants of concern (VOCs) may escape vaccine‐derived immunity. Therefore, serological studies are necessary to assess protection in the population and guide vaccine regimens. A common measure of protective immunity is the presence of neutralizing antibodies (nAbs). However, the gold standard for measuring nAbs (plaque reduction neutralization test, or PRNT) is laborious and time‐consuming, limiting its large‐scale applicability. We developed a high‐throughput fluorescence reduction neutralization assay (FRNA) to detect SARS‐CoV‐2 nAbs. Because the assay relies on immunostaining, we developed and characterized monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to lower costs and reduce the assay's vulnerability to reagent shortages. Using samples of individuals vaccinated with COVID‐19 and unvaccinated/pre‐pandemic samples, we showed that FRNA results using commercial and in‐house mAbs strongly correlated with those of the PRNT method while providing results in 70% less time. In addition to providing a fast, reliable, and high‐throughput alternative for measuring nAbs, the FRNA can be easily customized to assess SARS‐CoV‐2 VOCs. Additionally, the mAb we produced was able to detect SARS‐CoV‐2 in pulmonary tissues by immunohistochemistry assays.
Linn bark is used to treat dysentery by various populations in Southeast Asian countries, and its leaves have also been used in traditional medicine to treat hepatitis in India and the Philippines. ...Here, the antifungal actions of crude hydro-alcoholic extract (TcHE) and fractions from
leaves were assessed via the agar diffusion and microdilution tests on
reference strains and clinical isolates from patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Additionally, the potential cytotoxic effects of TcHE were assessed on cultured human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC).
fractions and sub-fractions were analyzed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry with electron impact (GC/MS/EI), high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry "electrospray" ionization in positive mode (HPLC/MS/MS/ESI
) and hydrogen nuclear magnetic resonance (
HNMR). TcHE and its fractions were able to inhibit the growth of all tested
strains with the
-butanol (FBuOH) fraction presenting the best antifungal activity. Testing of different FBuOH sub-fractions (SF) showed that SF10 was the most active against
spp. Fractioning of SF10 demonstrated that 5 out of its 15 sub-fractions were active against
spp., with SF10.5 presenting the highest activity. Chemical analysis of SF10 detected hydrolysable tannins (punicalin, punicalagin), gallic acid and flavonoid C-glycosides. Overall, the results showed that
L. leaf extract, fractions and sub-fractions were antifungal against
spp. and may be useful to treat diseases caused by this fungus.
Methylmalonic acidemias consist of a group of inherited neurometabolic disorders caused by deficiency of methylmalonyl‐CoA mutase activity clinically and biochemically characterized by neurological ...dysfunction, methylmalonic acid (MMA) accumulation, mitochondrial failure and increased reactive species production. Although previous studies have suggested that nitric oxide (NO) plays a role in the neurotoxicity of MMA, the involvement of NO‐induced nitrosative damage from inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in MMA‐induced seizures are poorly understood. In the present study, we showed a decrease of time spent convulsing induced by intracerebroventricular administration of MMA (2 μmol/2 μL; i.c.v.) in iNOS knockout (iNOS−/−) mice when compared with wild‐type (iNOS+/+) littermates. Visual analysis of electroencephalographic recordings (EEG) showed that MMA injection induced the appearance of high‐voltage synchronic spike activity in the ipsilateral cortex which spreads to the contralateral cortex while quantitative electroencephalographic analysis showed larger wave amplitude during MMA‐induced seizures in wild‐type mice when compared with iNOS knockout mice. We also report that administration of MMA increases NOx (NO2 plus NO3 content) and 3‐nitrotyrosine (3‐NT) levels in a greater extend in iNOS+/+ mice than in iNOS−/− mice, indicating that NO overproduction and NO‐mediated damage to proteins are attenuated in iNOS knockout mice. In addition, the MMA‐induced decrease in Na+, K+‐ATPase activity, but not in succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activity, was less pronounced in iNOS−/− when compared with iNOS+/+ mice. These results reinforce the assumption that metabolic collapse contributes for the secondary toxicity elicited by MMA and suggest that oxidative attack by NO derived from iNOS on selected target such as Na+, K+‐ATPase enzyme might represent an important role in this excitotoxicity induced by MMA. Therefore, these results may be of value in understating the pathophysiology of the neurological features observed in patients with methylmalonic acidemia and in the development of new strategies for treatment of these patients.
The use of treated sewage effluent (TSE) combined with the subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) method in agriculture can decrease the costs of agricultural production, in attempts to fertigate crops ...more efficiently. In this study it was compared the dimensions of the wet bulb formed by the application of TSE and municipal water supply (MWS) in an Oxisoil. We have evaluated the effect of water quality and discharge between drippers used in sugarcane crop. Three trenches were opened and 21 three-rod TDR probes were setup in a mesh and a dripper was buried at 0.30 m, for each constant discharge of 1.0 L h-1and 1.6 L h-1. Comparing results from different wetted soil profiles it was observed that the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the wet bulb are similar for both MWS and TSE, being peculiars according to the discharges used and volume applied. Regardless the water quality, an increase of 60% in discharge decreased the deepest infiltration.
STOMATOLOGIC MANIFESTATIONS OF PEMPHIGUS VULGARIS: A CASE REPORT SANTOS, BRENDA CRISTINA TELES; MIRANDA, GEORGEA GABRIELA BARRETO; CUNHA, JOHN LENNON SILVA ...
Oral surgery, oral medicine, oral pathology and oral radiology,
September 2020, 2020-09-00, Letnik:
130, Številka:
3
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is an autoimmune disease, characterized by the formation of autoantibodies against desmosomes of keratinocytes, resulting in intraepithelial blisters. We report a case of a ...70-year-old female patient presenting with widespread, painful, eroded, or ulcerated mucosal lesions with 3 weeks’ evolution. Nikolsky’s sign was negative. Incisional biopsy of a jugal mucosa lesion was performed, and histopathologic analysis revealed squamous epithelium showing acantholysis, with suprabasal clefts containing so-called acantholytic Tzanck cells. The diagnosis was PV, confirmed by direct immunofluorescence. Prednisolone (60 mg/once/daily) was prescribed for 15 days, with improvement of the condition, and further gradual dose reduction was carried out. The patient is undergoing follow-up for 20 months, with no oral or cutaneous manifestation of the disease. Although PV is a systemic disorder, oral manifestations often precede cutaneous manifestations and are the first signs of disease. Thus, dentists have a fundamental role in the early diagnosis and treatment of these conditions.
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