Beyond access to medication: the role of SUS and the characteristics of HIV care in Brazil

OBJETIVO: Estimar a composição público-privada da assistência em HIV no Brasil e o perfil organizacional da extensa rede de serviços públicos. MÉTODOS: Foram utilizados dados da Coorte Qualiaids-BR, que reúne dados dos sistemas nacionais de informações clínicas e laboratoriais de pessoas com 15 anos ou mais com primeira dispensação de terapia antirretroviral, entre 2015–2018, e informações dos serviços do SUS de acompanhamento clínico-laboratorial do HIV, produzidas pelo inquérito Qualiaids. O sistema de acompanhamento foi definido pelo número de exames de carga viral solicitados por algum serviço do SUS: acompanhamento no sistema privado – nenhum registro; acompanhamento no SUS – dois ou mais registros; acompanhamento indefinido – um registro. Os serviços do SUS foram caracterizados como ambulatórios, atenção básica e sistema prisional, segundo autoclassificação dos respondentes ao inquérito Qualiaids (72,9%); para os não respondentes (27,1%) a classificação baseou-se nos termos presentes nos nomes dos serviços. RESULTADOS: No período, 238.599 pessoas com 15 anos ou mais iniciaram a terapia antirretroviral no Brasil, das quais, 69% receberam acompanhamento no SUS, 21,7% no sistema privado e 9,3% tiveram o sistema indefinido. Entre os acompanhados no SUS, 93,4% foram atendidos em serviços do tipo ambulatório, 5% em serviços de atenção básica e 1% no sistema prisional. CONCLUSÃO: No Brasil o tratamento antirretroviral é fornecido exclusivamente pelo SUS, que também é responsável pelo acompanhamento clínico-laboratorial da terapia da maior parte das pessoas em serviços ambulatoriais. O estudo só foi possível porque o SUS mantêm registros e informações públicas acerca do acompanhamento em HIV. Não há nenhum dado disponível para o sistema privado.OBJECTIVE: To estimate the public-private composition of HIV care in Brazil and the organizational profile of the extensive network of public healthcare facilities. METHODS: Data from the Qualiaids-BR Cohort were used, which gathers data from national systems of clinical and laboratory information on people aged 15 years or older with the first dispensation of antiretroviral therapy between 2015–2018, and information from SUS healthcare facilities for clinical-laboratory follow-up of HIV, produced by the Qualiaids survey. The follow-up system was defined by the number of viral load tests requested by any SUS healthcare facility: follow-up in the private system – no record; follow-up at SUS – two or more records; undefined follow-up – one record. SUS healthcare facilities were characterized as outpatient clinics, primary care and prison system, according to the respondents’ self-classification in the Qualiaids survey (72.9%); for non-respondents (27.1%) the classification was based on the terms present in the names of the healthcare facilities. RESULTS: During the period, 238,599 people aged 15 years or older started antiretroviral therapy in Brazil, of which 69% were followed-up at SUS, 21.7% in the private system and 9.3% had an undefined system. Among those followed-up at SUS, 93.4% received care in outpatient clinics, 5% in primary care facilities and 1% in the prison system. CONCLUSION: In Brazil, antiretroviral treatment is provided exclusively by SUS, which is also responsible for clinical and laboratory follow-up for most people in outpatient clinics. The study was only possible because SUS maintains records and public information about HIV care. There is no data available for the private system

Beyond access to medication: the role of SUS and the characteristics of HIV care in Brazil

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To estimate the public-private composition of HIV care in Brazil and the organizational profile of the extensive network of public healthcare facilities. METHODS Data from the Qualiaids-BR Cohort were used, which gathers data from national systems of clinical and laboratory information on people aged 15 years or older with the first dispensation of antiretroviral therapy between 2015–2018, and information from SUS healthcare facilities for clinical-laboratory follow-up of HIV, produced by the Qualiaids survey. The follow-up system was defined by the number of viral load tests requested by any SUS healthcare facility: follow-up in the private system – no record; follow-up at SUS – two or more records; undefined follow-up – one record. SUS healthcare facilities were characterized as outpatient clinics, primary care and prison system, according to the respondents’ self-classification in the Qualiaids survey (72.9%); for non-respondents (27.1%) the classification was based on the terms present in the names of the healthcare facilities. RESULTS During the period, 238,599 people aged 15 years or older started antiretroviral therapy in Brazil, of which 69% were followed-up at SUS, 21.7% in the private system and 9.3% had an undefined system. Among those followed-up at SUS, 93.4% received care in outpatient clinics, 5% in primary care facilities and 1% in the prison system. CONCLUSION In Brazil, antiretroviral treatment is provided exclusively by SUS, which is also responsible for clinical and laboratory follow-up for most people in outpatient clinics. The study was only possible because SUS maintains records and public information about HIV care. There is no data available for the private system

Differences in children and adolescents with SARS-CoV-2 infection: a cohort study in a Brazilian tertiary referral hospital

OBJECTIVES: To compare demographic/clinical/laboratory/treatments and outcomes among children and adolescents with laboratory-confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study that included patients diagnosed with pediatric COVID-19 (aged <18 years) between April 11, 2020 and April 22, 2021. During this period, 102/5,951 (1.7%) of all admissions occurred in neonates, children, and adolescents. Furthermore, 3,962 severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) detection samples were processed in patients aged <18 years, and laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 occurred in 155 (4%) inpatients and outpatients. Six/155 pediatric patients were excluded from the study. Therefore, the final group included 149 children and adolescents (n=97 inpatients and 52 outpatients) with positive SARS-CoV-2 results. RESULTS: The frequencies of sore throat, anosmia, dysgeusia, headache, myalgia, nausea, lymphopenia, pre-existing chronic conditions, immunosuppressive conditions, and autoimmune diseases were significantly reduced in children and adolescents (p<0.05). Likewise, the frequencies of enoxaparin use (p=0.037), current immunosuppressant use (p=0.008), vasoactive agents (p=0.045), arterial hypotension (p<0.001), and shock (p=0.024) were significantly lower in children than in adolescents. Logistic regression analysis showed that adolescents with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 had increased odds ratios (ORs) for sore throat (OR 13.054; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.750-61.977; p=0.001), nausea (OR 8.875; 95% CI 1.660-47.446; p=0.011), and lymphopenia (OR 3.575; 95% CI 1.355-9.430; p=0.010), but also had less hospitalizations (OR 0.355; 95% CI 0.138-0.916; p=0.032). The additional logistic regression analysis on patients with preexisting chronic conditions (n=108) showed that death as an outcome was significantly associated with pediatric severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) (OR 22.300; 95% CI 2.341-212.421; p=0.007) and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) (OR 11.261; 95% CI 1.189-106. 581; p=0.035). CONCLUSIONS: Half of the laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases occurred in adolescents. Individuals belonging to this age group had an acute systemic involvement of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Pediatric SARS and MIS-C were the most important factors associated with the mortality rate in pediatric chronic conditions with COVID-19

Breastfeeding, epigenetic gestational age and its impact on neuropsychomotor development and obesity at 36 months of age: a moderation analysis

Introdução: A hipótese das Origens Desenvolvimentistas da Saúde e Doença (DOHaD) sugere que durante períodos sensíveis e de alta plasticidade, como o período intrauterino, as adversidades sofridas podem modular o epigenoma do indivíduo com consequências de curto e longo prazo para a saúde. Estudos apontam que mesmo pequenas diferenças na Idade Gestacional (IG), podem impactar a saúde neonatal e desfechos de saúde, além de ter sido associada a diferenças na metilação do DNA em sítios CpGs específicos. Essas associações apontam para a possível relação entre IG e exposições adversas sofridas in útero. Embora as evidências sobre os mecanismos epigenéticos ainda não sejam conclusivas em relação à associação entre a amamentação e desenvolvimento e obesidade, os estudos epidemiológicos comprovam os efeitos positivos do aleitamento materno. Objetivos: Identificar associações entre a IG epigenética, o desenvolvimento infantil e obesidade aos 3 anos de idade, moderadas pela amamentação. Métodos: Foram recrutadas 96 gestantes como subamostra da Coorte Região Oeste (ROC). O sangue do cordão umbilical foi coletado no momento do parto seguindo protocolos padronizados. Os dados hospitalares referentes ao nascimento e características do neonato foram extraídos do sistema eletrônico de informação de pacientes do Hospital Universitário da Universidade de São Paulo. As análises de metilação do DNA do sangue do cordão umbilical foram realizadas utilizando a plataforma Illumina HumanMethylation450 (450k) BeadChips seguindo o protocolo fornecido pelo fabricante. A IG epigenética foi calculada com base na metilação do DNA de 143 sítios CpGs segundo o método de Knight. Dados referentes ao desenvolvimento físico e neuropsicomotor aos 3 anos de idade foram coletados durante visita domiciliar realizada por entrevistadores treinados. Para avaliar as associações, utilizamos modelos de regressão linear e imputação múltipla de dados para lidar com os dados faltantes. Resultados: No nascimento, a aceleração da IG foi associada com a redução de 0,30 cm no perímetro torácico (95%IC: - 0,57; -0,03) e aumento de 0,42 DP no escore-z de comprimento-ajustado para-idade (95%IC: 0,03; 0,81). O peso ao nascer teve uma modesta associação inversa com aceleração da IG (?: -0,001; 95%IC: -0,000; -0,000). Crianças nascidas pré-termo de acordo com a classificação da IG cronológica, tiveram uma aceleração da IG 2,6 semanas maior quando comparadas às crianças nascidas de termo (95%IC: 0,60-4,54). Não foram encontradas associações entre IG epigenética e desenvolvimento neuropsicomotor ou obesidade aos 3 anos de idade, nem mesmo quando a amamentação foi inserida como fator moderador. Conclusão: Este estudo fornece evidências de que a aceleração da IG está associada à ocorrência de prematuridade e características antropométricas do neonato. No entanto, a associação com o desenvolvimento infantil ou a obesidade aos 3 anos não é estatisticamente significante. Estudos com amostras maiores, são necessários para entendermos os fatores por trás do relógio epigenético e sua associação com os desfechos ao nascer, desenvolvimento neuropsicomotor e físico das crianças na população brasileiraBackground: The hypothesis of the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) suggests that during sensitive and highly plastic periods, such as the intrauterine period, the adversities suffered can modulate the individual\'s epigenome, with short and long-term health consequences. Studies show that even small Gestational Age (GA) differences can impact neonatal health and future health outcomes. It is also associated with differences in DNA methylation at specific CpGs sites. These associations might be due to the possible relationship between GA and the adverse exposures suffered intra utero. Although the evidence on epigenetic mechanisms concerning the association between breastfeeding and child development and obesity, is not conclusive, epidemiological studies have shown the positive effects of breastfeeding on child\'s health. Objectives: To identify associations between epigenetic GA and child development and obesity at 3 years of age, moderated by breastfeeding. Methods: 96 pregnant women were recruited as a subsample of the Western Region Cohort (ROC). Umbilical cord blood was collected at the time of delivery according to standardized protocols. Hospital data regarding birth and newborns characteristics were extracted from the electronic patient registry information system at the University Hospital of the University of São Paulo. The cord blood DNA methylation analyzes were performed using the Illumina HumanMethylation450 (450k) BeadChips platform, according tothe manufacturer\'s protocol. Epigenetic GA was calculated based on DNA methylation of 143 CpGs sites using the Knight method. Data on physical and neurocognitive development at 3 years of age were collected during home visits performed by trained interviewers. We used linear regression models to evaluate the associations. Multiple imputations were applied to deal with the missing data. Results: At birth, GA acceleration was associated with a 0.30 cm reduction in the thoracic circumference (95% CI: -0.57; -0.03) and an increase of 0.42 SD z-score of length-for-age (95% CI: 0.03; 0.81). Birth weight had a modest inverse association with GA acceleration (beta: -0.001; 95% CI: -0,000; - 0,000). According to the chronological GA classification, preterm children had an acceleration of GA 2.6 weeks higher when compared to full term children (95% CI: 0.60- 4.54). No associations were found between epigenetic GA and child development and obesity at 3 years of age, when breastfeeding was used as a moderating factor. Conclusion: This study provides evidence that the acceleration of GA is associated with premature births and anthropometric characteristics of the newborn and that the association with child development or obesity at 3 years is not statistically significant. Larger studies are needed to understand the factors behind the epigenetic clock and its association with outcomes at birth, neurocognitive, and physical development of children in the Brazilian populatio

Perfil da coorte de pessoas em tratamento da infecção por HIV no SUS, Brasil, 2015–2018

OBJECTIVE: To build an integrated database of individual and service data from the cohort of people who started antiretroviral therapy (ART), from 2015 to 2018, in Brazil. METHODS: Open cohort study that includes people aged 15 years or older who started ART from 2015 to 2018, with follow-up in services of the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS), and who responded to the 2016/2017 Qualiaids national survey. The source of individual data was the related HIV database, derived from the probabilistic linkage between data from the SUS systems of diagnostic information, medication, tests, and deaths. The data source for the services was the services’ response database to the Qualiaids survey. After analysis of consistency and exclusions, the database of individuals was deterministically related to the database of services. RESULTS: The cohort comprised 132,540 people monitored in 941 SUS services. Of these services, 59% are located in the Southeast region and 49% followed 51 to 500 cohort participants. The average performance of organization and management of patient care ranged from 29% to 75%. Most of the cohort participants are male, black and mixed, aged between 20 and 39 years old, and have between 4 and 11 years of schooling. Median baseline T-CD4 was 419 cells/mm3, 6% had an episode of tuberculosis, and 2% died of HIV disease. CONCLUSION: For the first time in Brazil, this cohort provides the opportunity for a joint analysis of individual factors and services in the production of positive and negative clinical outcomes of HIV treatment.OBJETIVO: Construir uma base integrada de dados individuais e dos serviços da coorte de pessoas que iniciaram terapia antirretroviral (TARV) entre 2015 e 2018 no Brasil. MÉTODOS: Estudo de coorte aberta que incluiu pessoas de 15 anos ou mais que iniciaram TARV entre 2015 e 2018, com acompanhamento em serviços do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS), e que responderam ao inquérito nacional Qualiaids de 2016/2017. A fonte de dados individuais foi o banco relacionado do HIV, proveniente do relacionamento probabilístico entre dados dos sistemas de informação de diagnóstico, medicação, exames e óbitos do SUS. A fonte de dados dos serviços foi o banco de respostas dos serviços ao inquérito Qualiaids. Após análise de consistência e exclusões, o banco dos indivíduos foi relacionado deterministicamente com o banco de serviços. RESULTADOS: A coorte reuniu 132.540 pessoas acompanhadas em 941 serviços do SUS. Desses serviços, 59% localizam-se na região Sudeste e 49% acompanharam 51 a 500 participantes da coorte. O desempenho médio de organização e gerência da assistência ao paciente variou de 29% a 75%. A maioria dos participantes da coorte é do sexo masculino, preto e pardo, com idade entre 20 e 39 anos e tem entre 4 e 11 anos de escolaridade. O T-CD4 mediano basal foi de 419 células/mm3, 6% tiveram episódio de tuberculose e 2% foram a óbito por doença do HIV. CONCLUSÃO: A coorte oportuniza pela primeira vez no Brasil a análise conjunta de fatores individuais e dos serviços na produção dos desfechos clínicos positivos e negativos do tratamento do HIV

Bacterial Cellulose and ECM Hydrogels: An Innovative Approach for Cardiovascular Regenerative Medicine

Cardiovascular diseases are considered the leading cause of death in the world, accounting for approximately 85% of sudden death cases. In dogs and cats, sudden cardiac death occurs commonly, despite the scarcity of available pathophysiological and prevalence data. Conventional treatments are not able to treat injured myocardium. Despite advances in cardiac therapy in recent decades, transplantation remains the gold standard treatment for most heart diseases in humans. In veterinary medicine, therapy seeks to control clinical signs, delay the evolution of the disease and provide a better quality of life, although transplantation is the ideal treatment. Both human and veterinary medicine face major challenges regarding the transplantation process, although each area presents different realities. In this context, it is necessary to search for alternative methods that overcome the recovery deficiency of injured myocardial tissue. Application of biomaterials is one of the most innovative treatments for heart regeneration, involving the use of hydrogels from decellularized extracellular matrix, and their association with nanomaterials, such as alginate, chitosan, hyaluronic acid and gelatin. A promising material is bacterial cellulose hydrogel, due to its nanostructure and morphology being similar to collagen. Cellulose provides support and immobilization of cells, which can result in better cell adhesion, growth and proliferation, making it a safe and innovative material for cardiovascular repair

Bacterial Cellulose and ECM Hydrogels: An Innovative Approach for Cardiovascular Regenerative Medicine

Cardiovascular diseases are considered the leading cause of death in the world, accounting for approximately 85% of sudden death cases. In dogs and cats, sudden cardiac death occurs commonly, despite the scarcity of available pathophysiological and prevalence data. Conventional treatments are not able to treat injured myocardium. Despite advances in cardiac therapy in recent decades, transplantation remains the gold standard treatment for most heart diseases in humans. In veterinary medicine, therapy seeks to control clinical signs, delay the evolution of the disease and provide a better quality of life, although transplantation is the ideal treatment. Both human and veterinary medicine face major challenges regarding the transplantation process, although each area presents different realities. In this context, it is necessary to search for alternative methods that overcome the recovery deficiency of injured myocardial tissue. Application of biomaterials is one of the most innovative treatments for heart regeneration, involving the use of hydrogels from decellularized extracellular matrix, and their association with nanomaterials, such as alginate, chitosan, hyaluronic acid and gelatin. A promising material is bacterial cellulose hydrogel, due to its nanostructure and morphology being similar to collagen. Cellulose provides support and immobilization of cells, which can result in better cell adhesion, growth and proliferation, making it a safe and innovative material for cardiovascular repair

NEOTROPICAL XENARTHRANS: a data set of occurrence of xenarthran species in the Neotropics

Xenarthrans—anteaters, sloths, and armadillos—have essential functions for ecosystem maintenance, such as insect control and nutrient cycling, playing key roles as ecosystem engineers. Because of habitat loss and fragmentation, hunting pressure, and conflicts with domestic dogs, these species have been threatened locally, regionally, or even across their full distribution ranges. The Neotropics harbor 21 species of armadillos, 10 anteaters, and 6 sloths. Our data set includes the families Chlamyphoridae (13), Dasypodidae (7), Myrmecophagidae (3), Bradypodidae (4), and Megalonychidae (2). We have no occurrence data on Dasypus pilosus (Dasypodidae). Regarding Cyclopedidae, until recently, only one species was recognized, but new genetic studies have revealed that the group is represented by seven species. In this data paper, we compiled a total of 42,528 records of 31 species, represented by occurrence and quantitative data, totaling 24,847 unique georeferenced records. The geographic range is from the southern United States, Mexico, and Caribbean countries at the northern portion of the Neotropics, to the austral distribution in Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay. Regarding anteaters, Myrmecophaga tridactyla has the most records (n = 5,941), and Cyclopes sp. have the fewest (n = 240). The armadillo species with the most data is Dasypus novemcinctus (n = 11,588), and the fewest data are recorded for Calyptophractus retusus (n = 33). With regard to sloth species, Bradypus variegatus has the most records (n = 962), and Bradypus pygmaeus has the fewest (n = 12). Our main objective with Neotropical Xenarthrans is to make occurrence and quantitative data available to facilitate more ecological research, particularly if we integrate the xenarthran data with other data sets of Neotropical Series that will become available very soon (i.e., Neotropical Carnivores, Neotropical Invasive Mammals, and Neotropical Hunters and Dogs). Therefore, studies on trophic cascades, hunting pressure, habitat loss, fragmentation effects, species invasion, and climate change effects will be possible with the Neotropical Xenarthrans data set. Please cite this data paper when using its data in publications. We also request that researchers and teachers inform us of how they are using these data

NEOTROPICAL CARNIVORES: a data set on carnivore distribution in the Neotropics

Mammalian carnivores are considered a key group in maintaining ecological health and can indicate potential ecological integrity in landscapes where they occur. Carnivores also hold high conservation value and their habitat requirements can guide management and conservation plans. The order Carnivora has 84 species from 8 families in the Neotropical region: Canidae; Felidae; Mephitidae; Mustelidae; Otariidae; Phocidae; Procyonidae; and Ursidae. Herein, we include published and unpublished data on native terrestrial Neotropical carnivores (Canidae; Felidae; Mephitidae; Mustelidae; Procyonidae; and Ursidae). NEOTROPICAL CARNIVORES is a publicly available data set that includes 99,605 data entries from 35,511 unique georeferenced coordinates. Detection/non-detection and quantitative data were obtained from 1818 to 2018 by researchers, governmental agencies, non-governmental organizations, and private consultants. Data were collected using several methods including camera trapping, museum collections, roadkill, line transect, and opportunistic records. Literature (peer-reviewed and grey literature) from Portuguese, Spanish and English were incorporated in this compilation. Most of the data set consists of detection data entries (n = 79,343; 79.7%) but also includes non-detection data (n = 20,262; 20.3%). Of those, 43.3% also include count data (n = 43,151). The information available in NEOTROPICAL CARNIVORES will contribute to macroecological, ecological, and conservation questions in multiple spatio-temporal perspectives. As carnivores play key roles in trophic interactions, a better understanding of their distribution and habitat requirements are essential to establish conservation management plans and safeguard the future ecological health of Neotropical ecosystems. Our data paper, combined with other large-scale data sets, has great potential to clarify species distribution and related ecological processes within the Neotropics. There are no copyright restrictions and no restriction for using data from this data paper, as long as the data paper is cited as the source of the information used. We also request that users inform us of how they intend to use the data