RESUMO

The intricate relationship between food systems and health outcomes, known as the food-nutrition-health nexus, intersects with environmental concerns. However, there's still a literature gap in evaluating food systems alongside the global syndemic using the complex systems theory, especially concerning vulnerable populations like children. This research aimed to design a system dynamics model to advance a theoretical understanding of the connections between food systems and the global syndemic, particularly focusing on their impacts on children under five years of age. The framework was developed through a literature review and authors' insights into the relationships between the food, health, and environmental components of the global syndemic among children. The conceptual model presented 17 factors, with 26 connections and 6 feedback loops, categorized into the following 5 groups: environmental, economic, school-related, family-related, and child-related. It delineated and elucidated mechanisms among the components of the global syndemic encompassing being overweight, suffering from undernutrition, and climate change. The findings unveiled potential interactions within food systems and health outcomes. Furthermore, the model integrated elements of the socio-ecological model by incorporating an external layer representing the environment and its natural resources. Consequently, the development of public policies and interventions should encompass environmental considerations to effectively tackle the complex challenges posed by the global syndemic.

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This study aimed to describe a quantitative survey conducted with leaders to investigate effective and feasible actions that can be evaluated in computational models to inform policies to promote active mobility based in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. In 2022, an online survey was conducted during the Health Survey in São Paulo (Physical Activity and Environment study), which is monitored by representatives of nongovernmental organizations and public and private sector managers. A questionnaire was elaborated with three questions with 13 alternative answers about actions to promote walking and/or cycling. Leaders should select up to three alternatives based on their potential regarding: (1) effectiveness; (2) feasibility or ease of implementation; and (3) desire to verify tests in computational models to inform policies. The survey was answered by 18 leaders from 16 institutions, comprising 13 (72%) women and 12 (67%) representatives of the third sector, whose average age was 48 years and all had complete higher education. Reducing the speed of motor vehicles was the most cited option in all three questions. Other actions mentioned refer to controlling the traffic of vehicles in central areas, improving pedestrian safety, reducing the distances between homes and places of employment, conducting educational campaigns, and expanding and enhancing structures such as bicycle lanes and sidewalks. The results are relevant to support evidence-based decision-making in public management and to provide subsidies for the development of computational models with a view to promoting active mobility.

Este estudo teve como objetivo descrever um inquérito quantitativo realizado com lideranças para investigar ações efetivas, viáveis e que podem ser testadas em modelos computacionais para informar políticas de promoção da mobilidade ativa, tendo como base a cidade de São Paulo, Brasil. Em 2022, foi realizado um inquérito online no contexto da pesquisa de Atividade Física e Ambiente do Inquérito de Saúde de São Paulo, acompanhada por representantes de organizações não governamentais, gestores públicos e de entidades privadas. Foi elaborado questionário com três perguntas com 13 alternativas de respostas sobre ações para promoção da caminhada ou uso de bicicleta. As lideranças deveriam selecionar até três alternativas a partir de seu potencial em termos de (1) efetividade; (2) viabilidade ou facilidade de implementação; e (3) desejo de realizar testes em modelos computacionais para informar políticas. O inquérito foi respondido por 18 lideranças de 16 instituições, sendo 13 (72%) mulheres e 12 (67%) representantes do terceiro setor, cuja média de idade era 48 anos, todos com nível superior de escolaridade. A redução da velocidade dos veículos motorizados foi a opção mais citada nas três questões. Outras ações citadas referem-se ao controle de circulação de veículos em regiões centrais, à segurança de pedestres, à diminuição das distâncias entre residências e locais de emprego, às campanhas educativas e à ampliação e melhoria de estruturas como ciclovias e calçadas. Os resultados são relevantes para apoiar a tomada de decisões baseadas em evidências na gestão pública e oferecer subsídios para a elaboração de modelos computacionais com vistas à promoção da mobilidade ativa.

Este estudio tuvo como objetivo presentar una encuesta cuantitativa realizada con líderes para investigar las acciones efectivas, viables y que puedan probarse en modelos informáticos para orientar las políticas que promuevan la movilidad activa en la ciudad de São Paulo, Brasil. En 2022 se realizó una encuesta en línea en el contexto de la Encuesta de Salud de São Paulo (Actividad Física y Medio Ambiente), que es monitoreada por representantes de organizaciones no gubernamentales, gestores públicos y entidades privadas. Se elaboró un cuestionario de tres preguntas con 13 respuestas alternativas sobre acciones para promover la caminata o el uso de la bicicleta. Los líderes podían seleccionar hasta tres alternativas en función de su potencial en términos de (1) efectividad; (2) viabilidad o facilidad de implementación; y (3) deseo de verificar las pruebas en modelos informáticos para orientar las políticas. La encuesta fue respondida por 18 líderes de 16 instituciones; de los cuales 13 (72%) eran mujeres y 12 (67%) representaban el tercer sector; la edad promedio de ellos fue de 48 años y todos contaban con educación superior. Reducir la velocidad de los vehículos de motor fue la opción más citada en las tres preguntas. Otras acciones mencionadas se refieren al control de la circulación de vehículos en las regiones centrales, la seguridad de los peatones, la reducción de las distancias entre los hogares y los lugares de trabajo, las campañas educativas y la expansión y mejora de estructuras como carriles bici y aceras. Los resultados son relevantes para apoyar la toma de decisiones basada en la evidencia en la gestión pública y ofrecer subsidios para la elaboración de modelos computacionales destinados a promover la movilidad activa.

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LTR-retrotransposons are transposable elements characterized by the presence of long terminal repeats (LTRs) directly flanking an internal coding region. They share genome organization and replication strategies with retroviruses. Steamer-like Element-1 (MchSLE-1) is an LTR-retrotransposon identified in the genome of the Chilean blue mussel Mytilus chilensis. MchSLE-1 is transcribed; however, whether its RNA is also translated and the mechanism underlying such translation remain to be elucidated. Here, we characterize the MchSLE-1 translation mechanism. We found that the MchSLE-1 5' and 3'LTRs command transcription of sense and antisense RNAs, respectively. Using luciferase reporters commanded by the untranslated regions (UTRs) of MchSLE-1, we found that in vitro 5'UTR sense is unable to initiate translation, whereas the antisense 5'UTR initiates translation even when the eIF4E-eIF4G interaction was disrupted, suggesting the presence of an internal ribosomal entry site (IRES). The antisense 5'UTR IRES activity was tested using bicistronic reporters. The antisense 5'UTR has IRES activity only when the mRNA is transcribed in the nucleus, suggesting that nuclear RNA-binding proteins are required to modulate its activity. Indeed, heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein K (hnRNPK) was identified as an IRES trans-acting factor (ITAF) of the MchSLE-1 IRES. To our knowledge, this is the first report describing an IRES in an antisense mRNA derived from a mussel LTR-retrotransposon.

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BACKGROUND: The Xpert® MTB/RIF rapid molecular test provides a quantitative measure of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) DNA in the form of cycle threshold (Ct) values. This information can be translated into mycobacterial load and used as a potential risk measure of bacterial spread for tuberculosis cases, which can impact infection control. However, the role of Ct values in assessing Mtb transmission to close contacts has not yet been demonstrated. METHODS: A prospective study was performed to investigate the association between Xpert® MTB/RIF Ct values and Mtb transmission to close contacts of patients with culture-confirmed pulmonary TB in a multi-center Brazilian cohort. We evaluated clinical and laboratory data, such as age, sex, race, smoking habits, drug use, alcohol use, chest radiograph, Xpert® MTB/RIF results among pulmonary tuberculosis cases, and QuantiFERON(QFT)-Plus results at baseline and after six months for close contacts who had a negative result at baseline. RESULTS: A total of 1,055 close contacts of 382 pulmonary tuberculosis cases were included in the study. The median Ct values from pulmonary tuberculosis cases of QFT-Plus positive (at baseline or six months) close contacts were lower compared with those who were QFT-Plus negative. An adjusted logistic regression demonstrated that reduced Ct values from the index cases were independently associated with QFT-Plus conversion from negative to positive (OR: 1.61, 95% CI: 1.12-2.32) after adjusting for clinical characteristics. CONCLUSION: Close contacts of pulmonary TB index cases exhibiting low Xpert MTB/RIF Ct values displayed higher rates of TB infection, reflecting Mtb transmission.

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Resumo: Este estudo teve como objetivo descrever um inquérito quantitativo realizado com lideranças para investigar ações efetivas, viáveis e que podem ser testadas em modelos computacionais para informar políticas de promoção da mobilidade ativa, tendo como base a cidade de São Paulo, Brasil. Em 2022, foi realizado um inquérito online no contexto da pesquisa de Atividade Física e Ambiente do Inquérito de Saúde de São Paulo, acompanhada por representantes de organizações não governamentais, gestores públicos e de entidades privadas. Foi elaborado questionário com três perguntas com 13 alternativas de respostas sobre ações para promoção da caminhada ou uso de bicicleta. As lideranças deveriam selecionar até três alternativas a partir de seu potencial em termos de (1) efetividade; (2) viabilidade ou facilidade de implementação; e (3) desejo de realizar testes em modelos computacionais para informar políticas. O inquérito foi respondido por 18 lideranças de 16 instituições, sendo 13 (72%) mulheres e 12 (67%) representantes do terceiro setor, cuja média de idade era 48 anos, todos com nível superior de escolaridade. A redução da velocidade dos veículos motorizados foi a opção mais citada nas três questões. Outras ações citadas referem-se ao controle de circulação de veículos em regiões centrais, à segurança de pedestres, à diminuição das distâncias entre residências e locais de emprego, às campanhas educativas e à ampliação e melhoria de estruturas como ciclovias e calçadas. Os resultados são relevantes para apoiar a tomada de decisões baseadas em evidências na gestão pública e oferecer subsídios para a elaboração de modelos computacionais com vistas à promoção da mobilidade ativa.

Abstract: This study aimed to describe a quantitative survey conducted with leaders to investigate effective and feasible actions that can be evaluated in computational models to inform policies to promote active mobility based in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. In 2022, an online survey was conducted during the Health Survey in São Paulo (Physical Activity and Environment study), which is monitored by representatives of nongovernmental organizations and public and private sector managers. A questionnaire was elaborated with three questions with 13 alternative answers about actions to promote walking and/or cycling. Leaders should select up to three alternatives based on their potential regarding: (1) effectiveness; (2) feasibility or ease of implementation; and (3) desire to verify tests in computational models to inform policies. The survey was answered by 18 leaders from 16 institutions, comprising 13 (72%) women and 12 (67%) representatives of the third sector, whose average age was 48 years and all had complete higher education. Reducing the speed of motor vehicles was the most cited option in all three questions. Other actions mentioned refer to controlling the traffic of vehicles in central areas, improving pedestrian safety, reducing the distances between homes and places of employment, conducting educational campaigns, and expanding and enhancing structures such as bicycle lanes and sidewalks. The results are relevant to support evidence-based decision-making in public management and to provide subsidies for the development of computational models with a view to promoting active mobility.

Resumen: Este estudio tuvo como objetivo presentar una encuesta cuantitativa realizada con líderes para investigar las acciones efectivas, viables y que puedan probarse en modelos informáticos para orientar las políticas que promuevan la movilidad activa en la ciudad de São Paulo, Brasil. En 2022 se realizó una encuesta en línea en el contexto de la Encuesta de Salud de São Paulo (Actividad Física y Medio Ambiente), que es monitoreada por representantes de organizaciones no gubernamentales, gestores públicos y entidades privadas. Se elaboró un cuestionario de tres preguntas con 13 respuestas alternativas sobre acciones para promover la caminata o el uso de la bicicleta. Los líderes podían seleccionar hasta tres alternativas en función de su potencial en términos de (1) efectividad; (2) viabilidad o facilidad de implementación; y (3) deseo de verificar las pruebas en modelos informáticos para orientar las políticas. La encuesta fue respondida por 18 líderes de 16 instituciones; de los cuales 13 (72%) eran mujeres y 12 (67%) representaban el tercer sector; la edad promedio de ellos fue de 48 años y todos contaban con educación superior. Reducir la velocidad de los vehículos de motor fue la opción más citada en las tres preguntas. Otras acciones mencionadas se refieren al control de la circulación de vehículos en las regiones centrales, la seguridad de los peatones, la reducción de las distancias entre los hogares y los lugares de trabajo, las campañas educativas y la expansión y mejora de estructuras como carriles bici y aceras. Los resultados son relevantes para apoyar la toma de decisiones basada en la evidencia en la gestión pública y ofrecer subsidios para la elaboración de modelos computacionales destinados a promover la movilidad activa.

RESUMO

Endogenous viral elements (EVEs) are genomic DNA sequences derived from viruses. Some EVEs have open reading frames (ORFs) that can express proteins with physiological roles in their host. Furthermore, some EVEs exhibit a protective role against exogenous viral infection in their host. Endogenous parvoviral elements (EPVs) are highly represented in mammalian genomes, and although some of them contain ORFs, their function is unknown. We have shown that the locus EPV-Dependo.43-ODegus, an EPV with an intact ORF, is transcribed in Octodon degus (degu). Here we examine the antiviral activity of the protein encoded in this EPV, named DeRep. DeRep was produced in bacteria and used to generate antibodies that recognize DeRep in western blots of degu tissue. To test if DeRep could protect against exogenous parvovirus, we challenged cells with the minute virus of mice (MVM), a model autonomous parvovirus. We observed that MVM protein expression, DNA damage induced by replication, viral DNA, and cytopathic effects are reduced when DeRep is expressed in cells. The results of this study demonstrate that DeRep is expressed in degu and can inhibit parvovirus replication. This is the first time that an EPV has been shown to have antiviral activity against an exogenous virus.

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BACKGROUND: Patients with tuberculosis (TB) may develop multi-organ failure and require admission to intensive care. In these cases, the mortality rates are as high as 78% and may be caused by suboptimal serum concentrations of first-line TB drugs. This study aims to compare the pharmacokinetics of oral rifampin, isoniazid, pyrazinamide and ethambutol patients in intensive care units (ICU) to outpatients and to evaluate drug serum concentrations as a potential cause of mortality. METHODS: A prospective pharmacokinetic (PK) study was performed in Amazonas State, Brazil. The primary PK parameters of outpatients who achieved clinical and microbiological cure were used as a comparative target in a non-compartmental analysis. RESULTS: Thirteen ICU and twenty outpatients were recruited. The clearance and volume of distribution were lower for rifampin, isoniazid, pyrazinamide and ethambutol. ICU thirty-day mortality was 77% versus a cure rate of 89% in outpatients. CONCLUSIONS: ICU patients had a lower clearance and volume of distribution for rifampin, isoniazid, pyrazinamide and ethambutol compared to the outpatient group. These may reflect changes to organ function, impeded absorption and distribution to the site of infection in ICU patients and have the potential to impact clinical outcomes.

RESUMO

Hydatigera taeniaeformis is a cestode that uses felines and rodents as definitive and intermediate hosts, respectively. Its larval stage, or metacestode, infects a wide variety of rodent species and develops in the liver parenchyma into a cyst. The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of H. taeniaeformis metacestode in various species of wild rodents from Peru. For this, the livers of 356 rodents were macroscopically examined for any parasitic form compatible with metacestodes. Metacestodes were identified by measuring characteristic morphological parameters, and the diagnosis was confirmed by molecular analysis of a fragment of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene (cox1). Five rodents: two small-eared pygmy rice rats (Oligoryzomys microtis), two white-naped squirrels (Simosciurus nebouxii), and one pygmy rice rat (Oligoryzomys sp.) were infected with H. taeniaeformis metacestodes. The cox1 sequences from our metacestodes showed up to 100% identity with previous H. taeniaeformis sequences from the GenBank. These results demonstrated the occurrence of H. taeniaeformis in new intermediate hosts, as well as the first molecular contribution for H. taeniaeformis from Peru.

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Resumo A COVID-19 gerou impacto na sociedade com elevados índices de morbidade e mortalidade. A utilização de indicador epidemiológico que estime a carga de doença, agregando em uma medida a mortalidade precoce e os casos não fatais, tem potencial de auxiliar no planejamento de ações adequadas em diferentes níveis de atenção à saúde. O objetivo deste artigo é estimar a carga de doença por COVID-19 em Florianópolis/SC de abril de 2020 a março de 2021. Foi realizado um estudo ecológico com dados de notificação e óbitos por COVID-19 no período de 12 meses. Utilizou-se o indicador de carga denominado Anos de Vida Perdidos Ajustados por Incapacidade (DALY), obtido pela soma dos Anos de Vida Perdidos (YLL) com os Anos Vividos com Incapacidade (YLD). Foram incluídos 78.907 casos de COVID-19 confirmados. Desses, 763 evoluíram a óbito no período estudado. No total, foram estimados 4.496,6 DALYs, taxa de 883,8 DALYs/100.000 habitantes. No sexo masculino, foram 2.693,1 DALYs, taxa de 1.098,0 DALYs/100.000 homens. Em mulheres, foram 1.803,8 DALYs, taxa de 684,4 DALYs/100.000 mulheres. A faixa etária mais acometida em ambos os sexos foi de 60 a 69 anos. Foi alta a carga de COVID-19 na cidade estudada. As maiores taxas foram encontradas no sexo feminino e na faixa-etária de 60-69 anos.

Abstract COVID-19 has had a powerful impact on society with high rates of morbidity and mortality. The use of an epidemiological indicator that estimates the burden of a disease by aggregating early mortality and non-fatal cases in a single measure has the potential to assist in the planning of more appropriate actions at different levels of health care. The scope of this article is to estimate the burden of disease due to COVID-19 in Florianópolis/SC from April 2020 through March 2021. An ecological study was carried out with data from notification and deaths by COVID-19 in the period of 12 months. The burden indicator called Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALY) was used, obtained by adding the Years of Life Lost (YLL) to the Years of healthy life lost due to disability (YLD). A total of 78,907 confirmed COVID-19 cases were included. Of these, 763 died during the period under study. Overall, 4,496.9 DALYs were estimated, namely a rate of 883.8 DALYs per 100,000 inhabitants. In males, there were 2,693.1 DALYs, a rate of 1,098.0 DALYs per 100,000 males. In women, there were 1,803.8 DALYs, a rate of 684.4 DALYs per100,000 women. The age group most affected in both sexes was 60 to 69 years. The burden of COVID-19 was high in the city studied. The highest rates were in females and in the 60-69 age group.

RESUMO

COVID-19 has had a powerful impact on society with high rates of morbidity and mortality. The use of an epidemiological indicator that estimates the burden of a disease by aggregating early mortality and non-fatal cases in a single measure has the potential to assist in the planning of more appropriate actions at different levels of health care. The scope of this article is to estimate the burden of disease due to COVID-19 in Florianópolis/SC from April 2020 through March 2021. An ecological study was carried out with data from notification and deaths by COVID-19 in the period of 12 months. The burden indicator called Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALY) was used, obtained by adding the Years of Life Lost (YLL) to the Years of healthy life lost due to disability (YLD). A total of 78,907 confirmed COVID-19 cases were included. Of these, 763 died during the period under study. Overall, 4,496.9 DALYs were estimated, namely a rate of 883.8 DALYs per 100,000 inhabitants. In males, there were 2,693.1 DALYs, a rate of 1,098.0 DALYs per 100,000 males. In women, there were 1,803.8 DALYs, a rate of 684.4 DALYs per100,000 women. The age group most affected in both sexes was 60 to 69 years. The burden of COVID-19 was high in the city studied. The highest rates were in females and in the 60-69 age group.

A COVID-19 gerou impacto na sociedade com elevados índices de morbidade e mortalidade. A utilização de indicador epidemiológico que estime a carga de doença, agregando em uma medida a mortalidade precoce e os casos não fatais, tem potencial de auxiliar no planejamento de ações adequadas em diferentes níveis de atenção à saúde. O objetivo deste artigo é estimar a carga de doença por COVID-19 em Florianópolis/SC de abril de 2020 a março de 2021. Foi realizado um estudo ecológico com dados de notificação e óbitos por COVID-19 no período de 12 meses. Utilizou-se o indicador de carga denominado Anos de Vida Perdidos Ajustados por Incapacidade (DALY), obtido pela soma dos Anos de Vida Perdidos (YLL) com os Anos Vividos com Incapacidade (YLD). Foram incluídos 78.907 casos de COVID-19 confirmados. Desses, 763 evoluíram a óbito no período estudado. No total, foram estimados 4.496,6 DALYs, taxa de 883,8 DALYs/100.000 habitantes. No sexo masculino, foram 2.693,1 DALYs, taxa de 1.098,0 DALYs/100.000 homens. Em mulheres, foram 1.803,8 DALYs, taxa de 684,4 DALYs/100.000 mulheres. A faixa etária mais acometida em ambos os sexos foi de 60 a 69 anos. Foi alta a carga de COVID-19 na cidade estudada. As maiores taxas foram encontradas no sexo feminino e na faixa-etária de 60-69 anos.

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