Emotional overload measurement in caregivers of children with cerebral palsy

Objective: This study aims to assess the level of emotional burden in caregivers of children with cerebral palsy, as well as the possible factors that influence the growth of that burden. Methods: This is a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted from February 2014 to September 2014, in public and private services physiotherapy clinics. Results: We studied 41 caregivers. The average burden the Burden Interview was 25.2 ± 10.1, where 37 of these caregivers were mothers. The burden was higher in individuals with family income between 1 and 2 minimum wages; older age (33.5 ± 14.77) were more likely to overload; and individuals who had a higher number of children (2 or 3), had a significant statistical results with p = 0.0091. Conclusion: The treatment provided to children with cerebral palsy and physical and socioeconomic conditions of the caregiver are important factors in increasing the emotional burden of these. Furthermore, we found that the greater the number of children, the greater the emotional overload, and that such a condition is directly related to age of the caregiver and the family income.Objetivo: O presente estudo tem por objetivo avaliar o nível de sobrecarga emocional em cuidadores de crianças com paralisia cerebral, assim como, os possíveis fatores que influenciarão o aumento dessa sobrecarga. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo descritivo de corte transversal realizado no período de fevereiro de 2014 a Setembro de 2014, em ambulatórios de fisioterapia de serviços públicos e privados. Resultados: Foram avaliados 41 cuidadores. A média de sobrecarga pela Burden Interview foi de 25,2 ± 10,1, onde 37 desses cuidadores eram mães. A sobrecarga foi maior em indivíduos com renda familiar entre 1 e 2 salários mínimos; idades mais avançadas (33,5 ± 14,77) apresentaram maior tendência à sobrecarga; e indivíduos que apresentaram um maior número de filhos (2 ou 3), tiveram resultado estatístico significante, com p = 0,0091. Conclusão: Os cuidados dispensados às crianças com paralisia cerebral e as condições físicas e socioeconômicas do cuidador são fatores importantes no aumento da sobrecarga emocional destes. Foi possível verificar, ainda, que quanto maior o número de filhos, maior a sobrecarga emocional, e que tal condição está diretamente relacionada à idade do cuidador e a renda familiar

Spatiotemporal evolution of coronavirus disease 2019 mortality in Brazil in 2020

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Is the WHO End TB Strategy at Risk?

Publisher Copyright: Copyright © 2022 Souza, Paz, Sales, Jesus, Tavares, Lima, Sousa, Melo, Carmo, Souza and Bezerra-Santos.Background: In 2014, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched the “post-2015 End TB strategy”, that aims to end the global tuberculosis (TB) epidemic by 2030. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted global public health and the strict measures to control the coronavirus spread can affect the management of other diseases, such as TB. Herein, we aimed to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the diagnosis of TB in Brazil, during 2020. Methods: We carried out an ecological and population-based study, using spatial analysis techniques. The variables used were the new cases of TB, pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB), and also baciloscopy-positive (BP) cases in Brazil between 2015 and 2020. The percentage of changes (% change) was calculated to verify if there was an increase or decrease of TB cases in 2020, along with time trend analyses given by Joinpoint regression model. Also, interrupted time series analyses were used to assess the trend of TB diagnosis before and after the onset of the COVID-19 in Brazil. Spatial distribution maps were elaborated, considering the % change of each Brazilian state. Findings: Data analyses showed a reduction in the diagnosis of TB (−8.3%) and PTB (−8.1%) in Brazil after the irruption of the COVID-19 pandemic. Likewise, 22 states depicted a reduction in TB diagnosis. An expressive reduction of BP cases (−17.1%) was also observed. Interestingly, interrupted time series analysis showed decline in TB and PTB diagnoses from March 2020. Spatial analyses revealed that all states had a progressive reduction of TB, PTB and PB cases, from March on, with the highest percentages of reduction in December (−100% to −75%). Interpretation: Taken together, our analyses demonstrated a reduction in TB diagnosis after the irruption of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil and its regions, signaling a serious impact on the WHO “End TB Strategy” global plan.publishersversionpublishe

Oral health of an indigenous population in northeastern Brazil: a cross-sectional Study of the Fulni-ô ethnic group

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: There is a lack of studies evaluating the oral health of traditional indigenous communities in Brazil. OBJECTIVES: Thus, the objective of this study was to describe the oral health characteristics of the indigenous Fulni-ô ethnic group in Northeast Brazil. DESIGN AND SETTING: A cross-sectional observational investigation was conducted within the Project on Atherosclerosis among Indigenous Populations. METHODS: This study included participants of both sexes from the Fulni-ô ethnic group. The participants included in this investigation underwent a comprehensive oral health evaluation by a registered and experienced dentist to assess oral health and identify potentially malignant oral lesions. Participants with suspicious lesions were referred for biopsy. Shapiro-Wilk, Mann-Whitney, and Student’s t-tests were used, and measures of central tendency and dispersion were described. Statistical significance was 5%. RESULTS: A total of 104 individuals were included in this study. The prevalence of the use of tobacco derivatives was 94.0%, with similarities between sexes. The prevalence of oral changes in this study population was 84.4%. Fifty-one individuals who underwent oral reassessment were referred for oral lesion biopsy. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated a high prevalence of oral alterations in the Fulni-ô population. Histopathological analyses indicated the presence of mild oral epithelial dysplasia in five cases

Association of a variant in the regulatory region of NADPH oxidase 4 gene and metabolic syndrome in patients with chronic hepatitis C

Abstract\ud \ud Background\ud Given the important contribution of the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase system to the generation of reactive oxygen species induced by hepatitis C virus (HCV), we investigated two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the putative regulatory region of the genes encoding NADPH oxidase 4 catalytic subunit (NOX4) and its regulatory subunit p22phox (CYBA) and their relation with metabolic and histological variables in patients with HCV.\ud \ud \ud Methods\ud One hundred seventy eight naïve HCV patients (49.3% male; 65% HCV genotype 1) with positive HCV RNA were genotyped using specific primers and fluorescent-labeled probes for SNPs rs3017887 in NOX4 and −675 T → A in CYBA.\ud \ud \ud Results\ud No association was found between the genotype frequencies of NOX4 and CYBA SNPs and inflammation scores or fibrosis stages in the overall population. The presence of the CA + AA genotypes of the NOX4 SNP was nominally associated with a lower alanine aminotransferase (ALT) concentration in the male population (CA + AA = 72.23 ± 6.34 U/L versus CC = 100.22 ± 9.85; mean ± SEM; P = 0.05). The TT genotype of the CYBA SNP was also nominally associated with a lower ALT concentration in the male population (TT = 84.01 ± 6.77 U/L versus TA + AA = 109.67 ± 18.37 U/L; mean ± SEM; P = 0.047). The minor A-allele of the NOX4 SNP was inversely associated with the frequency of metabolic syndrome (MS) in the male population (odds ratio (OR): 0.15; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.03 to 0.79; P = 0.025).\ud \ud \ud Conclusions\ud The results suggest that the evaluated NOX4 and CYBA SNPs are not direct genetic determinants of fibrosis in HCV patients, but nevertheless NOX4 rs3017887 SNP could indirectly influence fibrosis susceptibility due to its inverse association with MS in male patients

Avaliação de polimorfismos de único nucleotídeo (SNPs) envolvidos com a gravidade da doença hepática crônica causada pelo vírus da hepatite C (HCV)

O vírus da hepatite C (HCV) representa um problema de saúde mundial, acometendo mais de 170 milhões de pessoas em todo o mundo, o que corresponde a cerca de 3% da população mundial. Aproximadamente 70% dos indivíduos irão desenvolver a forma crônica da doença, 25% desenvolverão cirrose e cerca de 5% dos cirróticos desenvolverão carcinoma hepatocelular (HCC). O motivo pelo qual alguns indivíduos evoluem mais rapidamente para formas mais graves ainda é desconhecido, entretanto diversos estudos têm apontado a influência de fatores genéticos do hospedeiro envolvidos com a progressão da doença no fígado. Polimorfismos de único nucleotídeo (SNPs) são o tipo de variação genética mais comum em humanos, e podem influenciar os níveis séricos ou até mesmo a função de proteínas importantes. A pentraxina 3 (PTX3) é uma proteína de fase aguda capaz de se ligar a microrganismos e de regular o sistema complemento. Estudos têm demonstrado que a PTX3 pode influenciar positivamente a progressão de vários tipos de câncer. Além disso, alguns estudos têm demonstrado uma grande influência de uma região cromossômica (6q23) associada com a progressão da fibrose hepática na esquistossomose. O gene IL22RA2 está localizado nesta região e poderia estar associado com a gravidade da fibrose no HCV, uma vez que este gene codifica um inibidor de uma importante citocina envolvida com a reparação de danos hepáticos, a interleucina-22 (IL-22). Portanto, o objetivo do presente trabalho foi associar a gravidade da doença hepática causada pelo HCV, com SNPs nos genes PTX3 e IL22RA2, assim como identificar novos SNPs através da técnica de sequenciamento de exoma. Foram recrutados pacientes com hepatite C crônica, atendidos no serviço de Gastrohepatologia do Hospital Universitário Oswaldo Cruz/Instituto do Fígado de Pernambuco (Recife-PE, Brasil) entre agosto de 2010 e dezembro de 2014. A detecção dos SNPs foi realizada por PCR em tempo real através de sondas TaqMan®. Para o sequenciamento do exoma, foi utilizada a plataforma IonTorrent®. Um total de três estudos foram realizados, o primeiro estudo identificou dois polimorfismos (rs6570136 e rs2064501) no gene IL22RA2, associados com a gravidade da fibrose hepática, em um total de 532 pacientes. Foi observada uma maior frequência dos genótipos GG/GA do rs6570136 e TT/TC do rs2064501 no grupo de indivíduos com fibrose grave (p=0,007 OR 1,7 e p=0,004 OR 2,4). No segundo estudo, com um total de 524 pacientes, foi possível observar uma associação significativa do genótipo AA no gene PTX3 (rs2305619) com o risco de HCC (p=0.024 OR 1,94). Por fim, foi realizado o sequenciamento do exoma de 9 casos com HCC e 10 controles cirróticos, onde foi possível identificar dois genes (PRSS58 e SOCS5) possivelmente associados com o desenvolvimento de HCC. Portanto, através do presente estudo, foi demonstrado pela primeira vez a associação de SNPs no IL22RA2, PTX3, PRSS58 e SOCS5 com a progressão da doença hepática causada pelo HCV. Outros estudos são necessários para avaliar o uso desses SNPs como marcadores de progressão da hepatite C, bem como avaliar o possível uso dessas moléculas como alvos terapêuticos.The hepatitis C virus (HCV) represents a worldwide health problem, with over 170 million people infected all over the world, corresponding to almost 3% of the world’s population. Approximately 70% of the individuals will develop the chronic form of the disease; 25% will develop cirrhosis and about 5% among the cirrhotic will develop hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The reason why some individuals evolve more rapidly to the severe forms is still unknown, however, several studies have pointed the influence of genetic factors of the host which are involved with the disease progression in the liver. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are the most common type of genetic variation in humans, and they might alter serum levels or even the function of important proteins. Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is an acute phase protein that is able to bind the surface of microorganisms and to regulate the complement system. Studies have demonstrated that PTX3 may influence positively the progression of various types of cancer. Additionally, some studies have demonstrated an important influence of a chromosomic region (6q23), associated with the progression of liver fibrosis in schistosomiasis. The IL22RA2 gene is located in this region e may be associated with the severity of fibrosis in HCV, once this gene codifies an inhibitor of an important cytokine correlated with the repair of liver damage, the interleukin-22 (IL-22). Thus, the aim of the present study was to associate the severity of the liver disease caused by HCV with SNPs in the PTX3 and IL22RA2 genes, as well as to identify new SNPs through exome sequencing approach. Patients with chronic hepatitis C were recruited and attended at the service of Gastrohepatology of the Oswaldo Cruz University Hospital/Liver Institute of Pernambuco (Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil) between August 2010 and December 2014. The detection of SNPs was performed by real time PCR using TaqMan probes (Thermo Fisher Scientific). Regarding the exome sequencing, it was used the IonTorrent platform (Thermo Fisher Scientific). A total of three studies were performed, the first study identified two polymorphisms (rs6570136 and rs2064501) on the IL22RA2 gene, associated with the severity of hepatic fibrosis, in a total of 532 patients. It was observed a higher frequency of genotypes GG/GA of rs6570136 and TT/TC of rs2064501 in the group of individuals with severe fibrosis (p=0,007 OR 1,7 and p=0,004 OR 2,4). On the second study, with a total of 524 patients, it was possible to notice a significant association of the genotype AA in the PTX3 gene (rs2305619) with risk of HCC (p=0.024 OR 1,94). Finally, the exome sequencing was carried in 9 HCC cases and 10 cirrhotic controls, where it was possible to identify two genes (PRSS58 and SOCS5), which are possibly associated with the development of HCC. Therefore, through this study we have demonstrated, for the first time, the association of SNPs in IL22RA2, PTX3, PRSS58 and SOCS5 with the progression of the hepatic disease caused by HCV. Other studies are needed in order to evaluate the use of these SNPs as progression markers of hepatitis C; as well as to evaluate the possible use of these molecules as therapeutic targets.Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPE

Epidemiology of human visceral leishmaniasis in the urban centers of the lower-middle São Francisco Valley, Brazilian semiarid region

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a zoonosis caused by parasites of the Leishmania genus. VL is present in countries with tropical climates, being endemic in Brazil,, including the region of the lower-middle São Francisco Valley which includes the urban centers of Petrolina (Pernambuco state) and Juazeiro (Bahia state). METHODS: This retrospective and descriptive epidemiological study analyzed secondary data obtained from the mandatory visceral leishmaniasis notification forms of the Ministry of Health, which were compiled in the Information System for Notifiable Diseases (SINAN) database. We analyzed 181 autochthonous cases reported in the two aforementioned cities between 2010 and 2016. Data collection occurred in June 2017. RESULTS: Of the 181 VL cases in the study area, 40.9% (n=74) occurred in Juazeiro and 59.1% (n=107) occurred in Petrolina. The average numbers of cases per year were 9.5 in Juazeiro and 14 in Petrolina; respectively, the incidence ranges were 2-8.6 cases and 2.8-6.1 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. Fever, weakness, weight loss, and pallor were the most commonly observed clinical manifestations. Coinfection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was observed in 16.8% and 5.4% of cases in Petrolina and Juazeiro, respectively. The lethality rates were 2.8% and 5.4% in Petrolina and Juazeiro, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Both cities had a high incidence of VL during the studied period. The findings of this study contribute to a better understanding of the behavior of VL during recent years and may help to direct regional disease control measures

Change in Rotavirus Vaccine Coverage in Brazil from before (2015–2019) through the COVID-19 Pandemic Period (2020–2021)

During the COVID-19 pandemic, a reduction in vaccination coverage of children and adolescents was observed in several countries. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the pandemic, in the first two years, on human rotavirus vaccine (HRV) coverage in Brazil compared with previous years. The number of doses of HRV administered in the period from January 2015 to December 2021 and its annual vaccination coverage were analyzed. The vaccination coverage decreased to 77.3% in 2020 and to 70.4% in 2021, substantially lower than the minimum that would be expected (89.2%); the decline was more pronounced in the second year of the pandemic despite the fact that in this period, the circulation restrictions were already less tight. Of the five Brazilian macro-regions, the northeast had the largest decline, and the south had the smallest impact on coverage. At the municipal level, less than half of the Brazilian municipalities managed to achieve vaccination coverage above 90% in either pandemic year. Although there was already a downward trend in coverage in the pre-pandemic years, the present study shows that the values recorded in 2020 and 2021 were significantly lower. Monitoring of vaccination coverage in the coming years should be carried out continuously in order to avoid a possible resurgence of rotavirus-induced diarrhea

Bridging the Gaps: Investigating the Complex Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Tuberculosis Records in Brazil

Background: This study aimed to analyze the temporal evolution, spatial distribution, and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on tuberculosis records in a northeastern state of Brazil. Methods: This is an ecological study involving all diagnoses of Tuberculosis (TB) in residents of the state of Pernambuco/Brazil. Data were extracted from the National System of Notifiable Diseases. A pre-pandemic COVID-19 temporal analysis (2001–2019), a spatial analysis before (2015–2019) and during the first two pandemic years (2020–2021), and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cases of TB diagnoses in Pernambuco in the years 2020 and 2021 were performed. Inflection point regression models, Global and Local Moran’s statistics, and spatial scan statistics were used. Results: In the period from 2001 to 2019, 91,225 cases of TB were registered in Pernambuco (48.40/100,000 inhabitants), with a tendency of growth starting in 2007 (0.7% per year; p = 0.005). In the pre-pandemic period (2015–2019), 10.8% (n = 20) of Pernambuco municipalities had TB incidence rates below 10/100,000. In 2020, this percentage reached 27.0% (n = 50) and in 2021 it was 17.8% (n = 33). Risk clusters were identified in the eastern region of the state, with five clusters in the pre-pandemic period and in 2021 and six in 2020. In the first year of the pandemic, an 8.5% reduction in the number of new TB cases was observed. In 2021, the state showed a slight increase (1.1%) in the number of new TB cases. Conclusions: The data indicate that the COVID-19 pandemic may have caused a reduction in the number of new TB case reports in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil

A Polymorphism in the TMPRSS2 Gene Increases the Risk of Death in Older Patients Hospitalized with COVID-19

Background: Transmembrane serine protease type 2 (TMPRSS2) and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) are the main molecules involved in the entry of SARS-CoV-2 into host cells. Changes in TMPRSS2 expression levels caused by single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) may contribute to the outcome of COVID-19. The aim was to investigate the association between TMPRSS2 gene polymorphisms and the risk of death in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Methods: We included patients with confirmed COVID-19, recruited from two hospitals in northeastern Brazil from August 2020 to July 2021. Two functional polymorphisms (rs2070788 and rs12329760) in TMPRSS2 were evaluated by real-time PCR. The Kaplan–Meier method was used to estimate death. The Cox’s proportional hazards model was used to adjust for potentially confounding factors. Results: A total of 402 patients were followed prospectively. Survival analysis demonstrated that older patients carrying the rs2070788 GG genotype had shorter survival times when compared to those with AG or AA genotypes (p = 0.009). In multivariable analysis, the GG genotype was a factor independently associated with the risk of death in older individuals (hazard ratio = 4.03, 95% confidence interval 1.49 to 10.84). Conclusions: The rs2070788 polymorphism in TMPRSS2 increases risk of death four-fold in older patients hospitalized with COVID-19