O Brasil na África (2003-2010): política desenvolvimento e comércio

This article analyzes the Brazilian presence in Africa during both mandates by President Lula da Silva (2003 - 2010). The starting point is the idea that the previous contacts between these two sides of the Atlantic Ocean, diffuse and without continuity, with moments of greater or lesser approximation in relation to internal contexts (government) and external (international system configuration). In the 21st century, on one hand reassesses the role of Africa in international politics at the same time that there is a new form of inclusion of Brazil in this scenario; this policy seeks to meet both the Brazilian context of re-emergence of the African continent in the international system, regarding the redirection of foreign policy to an emphasis on dialogue and multilateral cooperation, emphasizing South-South relations.On the other hand, even with an ample resumption of these relations, it is not possible to characterize an inflexion in this relation starting from 2003; but rather, the insertion of the continent in the multilateralist strategy of Lula da Silva's government, backed by the construction of a continental policy towards Africa. This policy are marked by an intensified and enlarged continuity of the policies begun in the second government of Fernando Henrique Cardoso, strongly based on governmental approach, which depends on the stance of Dilma Rousseff's government, to proceed with the results achieved in the previous government.O presente artigo analisa a presença brasileira na África, durante os dois mandatos do Presidente Lula da Silva (2003-2010). Parte-se do entendimento de que as aproximações anteriores entre esses dois lados do Oceano Atlântico eram difusas e sem continuidade, com momentos de maior ou menor aproximação, em relação aos contextos internos (governos) ou externos (configuração do sistema internacional). Já no século XXI, por um lado, tem se revalorizado o papel da África na política internacional ao mesmo passo que verifica-se uma nova forma de inserção brasileira nesse cenário; essa política brasileira busca atender tanto ao contexto de reemergência do continente africano no sistema internacional, quanto ao redirecionamento da política externa para uma ênfase de concertação e cooperação multilateral, especialmente nas relações Sul-Sul.No entanto, mesmo com uma retomada ampla dessas relações, não se pode caracterizar uma inflexão profunda nessa dinâmica a partir de 2003; o que se observa gradualmente é uma inserção do continente na estratégia multilateralista do governo Lula da Silva, amparada pela construção de uma política continental para a África. Marcada por uma continuidade amplificada e intensificada das políticas iniciadas no segundo governo de Fernando Henrique Cardoso, fortemente baseadas na aproximação governamental, essa política, atualmente, depende da postura do governo Dilma, para prosseguir com os resultados alcançados no governo anterior

SARS-CoV-2 infection risk is higher in vaccinated patients with inflammatory autoimmune diseases or liver transplantation treated with mycophenolate due to an impaired antiviral immune response: results of the extended follow up of the RIVALSA prospective cohort

BackgroundA relevant proportion of immunocompromised patients did not reach a detectable seroconversion after a full primary vaccination cycle against SARS-CoV-2. The effect of different immunosuppressants and the potential risks for SARS-CoV-2 infection in these subjects is largely unknown.MethodsPatients from the Rivalsa prospective, observational cohort study with planned anti SARS-CoV-2 third dose mRNA vaccination between October and December 2021 were asked to participate to this follow-up study. Patients were asked about eventual confirmed positivity to SARS-CoV-2 infection within 6 months from the third dose and to undergo a blood draw to evaluate seroconversion status after the additional vaccine shot.Results19 out of 114 patients taking part in the survey developed a confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection; we identified mycophenolate treatment as an independent predictor of an increased risk of infection even after the third vaccine dose (OR: 5.20, 95% CI: 1.70-20.00, p=0.0053). This result is in agreement with the in vitro evidence that MMF impairs both B and T lymphocytes driven immune responses (reduction both in memory B cells producing anti-spike antibodies and in proliferating CD4+ and CD8+ T cells).ConclusionsImmunocompromised patients need an additional vaccine administration to reach a detectable seroconversion, thus fostering a more personalized approach to their clinical management. Moreover, patients undergoing mycophenolate treatment show a specific increased infection risk, with respect to other immunosuppressants thus supporting a closer monitoring of their health status

The genome sequence of the hydrocarbon-degrading Acinetobacter venetianus VE-C3

Here we report the genome sequence of Acinetobacter venetianus VE-C3, a strain isolated from the Venice Lagoon and known to be able to degrade n-alkanes. Post sequencing analyses revealed that this strain is relatively distantly related to the other Acinetobacter strains completely sequenced so far as shown by phylogenetic analysis and pangenome analysis (1285 genes shared with all the other Acinetobacter genomes sequenced so far). A. venetianus VE-C3 possesses a wide range of determinants whose molecular functions are probably related to the survival in a strongly impacted ecological niche. Among them, genes probably involved in the metabolism of long-chain n-alkanes and in the resistance to toxic metals (e.g. arsenic, cadmium, cobalt and zinc) were found. Genes belonging to these processes were found both on the chromosome and on plasmids. Also, our analysis documented one of the possible genetic bases underlying the strategy adopted by A. venetianus VE-C3 for the adhesion to oil fuel droplets, which could account for the differences existing in this process with other A. venetianus strains. Finally, the presence of a number of DNA mobilization-related genes (i.e. transposases, integrases, resolvases) strongly suggests an important role played by horizontal gene transfer in shaping the genome of A. venetianus VE-C3 and in its adaptation to its special ecological niche

Colorectal Cancer Stage at Diagnosis Before vs During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Italy

IMPORTANCE Delays in screening programs and the reluctance of patients to seek medical attention because of the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 could be associated with the risk of more advanced colorectal cancers at diagnosis. OBJECTIVE To evaluate whether the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic was associated with more advanced oncologic stage and change in clinical presentation for patients with colorectal cancer. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This retrospective, multicenter cohort study included all 17 938 adult patients who underwent surgery for colorectal cancer from March 1, 2020, to December 31, 2021 (pandemic period), and from January 1, 2018, to February 29, 2020 (prepandemic period), in 81 participating centers in Italy, including tertiary centers and community hospitals. Follow-up was 30 days from surgery. EXPOSURES Any type of surgical procedure for colorectal cancer, including explorative surgery, palliative procedures, and atypical or segmental resections. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome was advanced stage of colorectal cancer at diagnosis. Secondary outcomes were distant metastasis, T4 stage, aggressive biology (defined as cancer with at least 1 of the following characteristics: signet ring cells, mucinous tumor, budding, lymphovascular invasion, perineural invasion, and lymphangitis), stenotic lesion, emergency surgery, and palliative surgery. The independent association between the pandemic period and the outcomes was assessed using multivariate random-effects logistic regression, with hospital as the cluster variable. RESULTS A total of 17 938 patients (10 007 men [55.8%]; mean [SD] age, 70.6 [12.2] years) underwent surgery for colorectal cancer: 7796 (43.5%) during the pandemic period and 10 142 (56.5%) during the prepandemic period. Logistic regression indicated that the pandemic period was significantly associated with an increased rate of advanced-stage colorectal cancer (odds ratio [OR], 1.07; 95%CI, 1.01-1.13; P = .03), aggressive biology (OR, 1.32; 95%CI, 1.15-1.53; P < .001), and stenotic lesions (OR, 1.15; 95%CI, 1.01-1.31; P = .03). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE This cohort study suggests a significant association between the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and the risk of a more advanced oncologic stage at diagnosis among patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer and might indicate a potential reduction of survival for these patients

Infected pancreatic necrosis: outcomes and clinical predictors of mortality. A post hoc analysis of the MANCTRA-1 international study

: The identification of high-risk patients in the early stages of infected pancreatic necrosis (IPN) is critical, because it could help the clinicians to adopt more effective management strategies. We conducted a post hoc analysis of the MANCTRA-1 international study to assess the association between clinical risk factors and mortality among adult patients with IPN. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify prognostic factors of mortality. We identified 247 consecutive patients with IPN hospitalised between January 2019 and December 2020. History of uncontrolled arterial hypertension (p = 0.032; 95% CI 1.135-15.882; aOR 4.245), qSOFA (p = 0.005; 95% CI 1.359-5.879; aOR 2.828), renal failure (p = 0.022; 95% CI 1.138-5.442; aOR 2.489), and haemodynamic failure (p = 0.018; 95% CI 1.184-5.978; aOR 2.661), were identified as independent predictors of mortality in IPN patients. Cholangitis (p = 0.003; 95% CI 1.598-9.930; aOR 3.983), abdominal compartment syndrome (p = 0.032; 95% CI 1.090-6.967; aOR 2.735), and gastrointestinal/intra-abdominal bleeding (p = 0.009; 95% CI 1.286-5.712; aOR 2.710) were independently associated with the risk of mortality. Upfront open surgical necrosectomy was strongly associated with the risk of mortality (p < 0.001; 95% CI 1.912-7.442; aOR 3.772), whereas endoscopic drainage of pancreatic necrosis (p = 0.018; 95% CI 0.138-0.834; aOR 0.339) and enteral nutrition (p = 0.003; 95% CI 0.143-0.716; aOR 0.320) were found as protective factors. Organ failure, acute cholangitis, and upfront open surgical necrosectomy were the most significant predictors of mortality. Our study confirmed that, even in a subgroup of particularly ill patients such as those with IPN, upfront open surgery should be avoided as much as possible. Study protocol registered in ClinicalTrials.Gov (I.D. Number NCT04747990)

Nanoplastics: Status and Knowledge Gaps in the Finalization of Environmental Risk Assessments

Nanoplastics (NPs) are particles ranging in size between 1 and 1000 nm, and they are a form of environmental contaminant of great ecotoxicological concern. Although NPs are widespread across ecosystems, they have only recently garnered growing attention from both the scientific community and regulatory bodies. The present study reviews scientific literature related to the exposure and effects of NPs and identifies research gaps that impede the finalization of related environmental risk assessments (ERAs). Approximately 80 articles published between 2012 and 2021 were considered. Very few studies (eight articles) focused on the presence of NPs in biotic matrices, whereas the majority of the studies (62 articles) assessed the lethal and sublethal effects of NPs on aquatic and terrestrial organisms. Whilst many studies focused on nude NPs, only a few considered their association with different aggregates. Amongst NPs, the effects of polystyrene are the most extensively reported to date. Moreover, the effects of NPs on aquatic organisms are better characterized than those on terrestrial organisms. NP concentrations detected in water were close to or even higher than the sublethal levels for organisms. An ERA framework specifically tailored to NPs is proposed

Use of the Species Sensitivity Distribution Approach to Derive Ecological Threshold of Toxicological Concern (eco-TTC) for Pesticides

The species sensitivity distribution (SSD) calculates the hazardous concentration at which 5% of species (HC5) will be potentially affected. For many compounds, HC5 values are unavailable impeding the derivation of SSD curves. Through a detailed bibliographic survey, we selected HC5 values (from acute toxicity tests) for freshwater aquatic species and 129 pesticides. The statistical distribution and variability of the HC5 values within the chemical classes were evaluated. Insecticides are the most toxic compounds in the aquatic communities (HC5 = 1.4 × 10−3 µmol L−1), followed by herbicides (HC5 = 3.3 × 10−2 µmol L−1) and fungicides (HC5 = 7.8 µmol L−1). Subsequently, the specificity of the mode of action (MoA) of pesticides on freshwater aquatic communities was investigated by calculating the ratio between the estimated baseline toxicity for aquatic communities and the HC5 experimental values gathered from the literature. Moreover, we proposed and validated a scheme to derive the ecological thresholds of toxicological concern (eco-TTC) of pesticides for which data on their effects on aquatic communities are not available. We proposed eco-TTCs for different classes of insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides with a specific MoA, and three eco-TTCs for those chemicals with unavailable MoA. We consider the proposed approach and eco-TTC values useful for risk management purposes

O Brasil na África (2003-2010): política desenvolvimento e comércio

This article analyzes the Brazilian presence in Africa during both mandates by President Lula da Silva (2003 - 2010). The starting point is the idea that the previous contacts between these two sides of the Atlantic Ocean, diffuse and without continuity, with moments of greater or lesser approximation in relation to internal contexts (government) and external (international system configuration). In the 21st century, on one hand reassesses the role of Africa in international politics at the same time that there is a new form of inclusion of Brazil in this scenario; this policy seeks to meet both the Brazilian context of re-emergence of the African continent in the international system, regarding the redirection of foreign policy to an emphasis on dialogue and multilateral cooperation, emphasizing South-South relations.On the other hand, even with an ample resumption of these relations, it is not possible to characterize an inflexion in this relation starting from 2003; but rather, the insertion of the continent in the multilateralist strategy of Lula da Silva's government, backed by the construction of a continental policy towards Africa. This policy are marked by an intensified and enlarged continuity of the policies begun in the second government of Fernando Henrique Cardoso, strongly based on governmental approach, which depends on the stance of Dilma Rousseff's government, to proceed with the results achieved in the previous government.O presente artigo analisa a presença brasileira na África, durante os dois mandatos do Presidente Lula da Silva (2003-2010). Parte-se do entendimento de que as aproximações anteriores entre esses dois lados do Oceano Atlântico eram difusas e sem continuidade, com momentos de maior ou menor aproximação, em relação aos contextos internos (governos) ou externos (configuração do sistema internacional). Já no século XXI, por um lado, tem se revalorizado o papel da África na política internacional ao mesmo passo que verifica-se uma nova forma de inserção brasileira nesse cenário; essa política brasileira busca atender tanto ao contexto de reemergência do continente africano no sistema internacional, quanto ao redirecionamento da política externa para uma ênfase de concertação e cooperação multilateral, especialmente nas relações Sul-Sul.No entanto, mesmo com uma retomada ampla dessas relações, não se pode caracterizar uma inflexão profunda nessa dinâmica a partir de 2003; o que se observa gradualmente é uma inserção do continente na estratégia multilateralista do governo Lula da Silva, amparada pela construção de uma política continental para a África. Marcada por uma continuidade amplificada e intensificada das políticas iniciadas no segundo governo de Fernando Henrique Cardoso, fortemente baseadas na aproximação governamental, essa política, atualmente, depende da postura do governo Dilma, para prosseguir com os resultados alcançados no governo anterior

The influence of geographical factors on COVID-19 outbreak: A literature review

A significant number of papers focusing on the relationships between COVID-19 diffusion and geographic factors is available in literature. The same applies to the use of geographic techniques (e.g., spatial tools and mapping) for the study of the pandemic. Although the literature on these topics is already abundant, a detailed and comprehensive review is still lacking. In this context, the purpose of this paper is to fill the existing gap by presenting a literature review of geographical studies dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. The review is aimed at: i) understanding the role of geographic/territorial determinants (e.g., geographic location of confirmed cases, climatic and environmental characteristics, urbanization) in the spread of COVID-19; ii) identifying common approaches, materials, and methods used in the study of the COVID-19 outbreak from a geographical perspective; iii) recognising possible research gaps to address future in-depth analyses. To achieve these goals a literature review was made concerning the application of geographical approaches for the study of one or more geographical factors/variables, as well as socioeconomic factors in relation to the outbreak and diffusion of the COVID-19 pandemic. The main academic literature databases were inquired. More than 80 papers were reviewed and categorized according to different criteria, e.g., considered variables, investigated period, spatial and temporal resolution and applied methodologies. This research is part of an interdisciplinary project (“DISCOV19”) funded by the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia and aiming at identifying the main vulnerability and risk factors related to COVID-19 outbreak and at formulating prevention and management schemes with a focus on the Province of Modena (Northern Italy). The investigation crosses different disciplines: i) public health epidemiology, investigating the contagion modalities and health and socio-demographic predisposing factors; ii) economic-statistical methodology, pointing out the structural characteristics of the networks that convey the contagion and the main social, technological and management vulnerabilities with respect to COVID-19 spread; iii) geography and geomorphology, for thematic mapping and spatial analysis of COVID-19 outbreak and understanding the role of environmental and physical-geographical factors on COVID-19 incidence. The review here presented fits into this context being one of the first outputs of the project implementation