Imunização contra influenza no Brasil: racionalidade e desafios

Campanhas de vacinação contra influenza na população idosa têm sido conduzidas no Brasil desde 1999. De acordo com levantamento da literatura realizada sobre influenza no Brasil, concluiu-se que dados sobre carga de doença são ainda escassos e imprecisos. Essas informações parecem indicar que a vacinação tem produzido algum impacto nas regiões Sul e Sudeste do País, mas não em outras regiões. Foram discutidas racionalidade técnica e científica para a imunização contra influenza, e argumentou-se que a atual estratégia de vacinação em todo o território nacional não levou em conta possíveis diferenças na ocorrência da doença causada por influenza entre as regiões do País. Foram sugeridas algumas atividades relacionadas à vigilância epidemiológica de influenza que se julgou necessárias para responder importantes questões referentes à vacinação e seu impacto no Brasil.Mass vaccination campaigns against influenza in the elderly have been conducted in Brazil since 1999. A search of the literature on influenza in Brazil indicated that data on disease burden are still scarce and inaccurate. Published data seem to indicate that vaccination has produced some impact in the southern and southeastern regions but not in other regions of Brazil. A discussion of the technical and scientific rationale for mass immunization against influenza is presented and it is argued that the current strategy has not taken into account potential differences in disease occurrence in different areas. It is suggested some epidemiological surveillance actions needed to address major concerns regarding mass influenza vaccination and its impact in Brazil

Perspective From Psychiatry Experts

Funding Information: SS is an employee of Janssen-Cilag Farmacêutica Lda. MF is an employee of CTI Clinical Trial and Consulting Services. The remaining authors received advisory board fees from Janssen-Cilag Farmacêutica Lda. AO-M was the national coordinator for Portugal of a non-interventional study EDMS-ERI-143085581, 4.0 to characterize a Treatment-Resistant Depression Cohort in Europe, sponsored by Janssen-Cilag, Ltd. 2019–2020; is the recipient of a grant from Schuhfried GmBH for norming and validation of cognitive tests; and is the national coordinator for Portugal of trials of psilocybin therapy for treatment-resistant depression, sponsored by Compass Pathways, Ltd. EudraCT numbers 2017-003288-36 and 2020-001348-25, and of esketamine for treatment-resistant depression, sponsored by Janssen-Cilag, Ltd. EudraCT Number: 2019-002992-33. Janssen had no influence on the interpretation of results. This manuscript presents the opinion of the psychiatry experts only. Funding Information: Support for third-party advisory board logistics and writing assistance, provided by CTI Clinical Trial and Consulting Services, was funded by Janssen-Cilag Farmacêutica Lda in accordance with Good Publication Practice (GPP3) guidelines. Publisher Copyright: Copyright © 2022 Bessa, Carvalho, Cunha, Fernandes, Matos-Pires, Neves, Oliveira-Maia, Santos and Santos.Guidance about treatment-resistant depression (TRD) in Portugal is very limited, even though depression prevalence is among the highest in European countries. A questionnaire was conducted, followed by two advisory boards with seven Portuguese psychiatry experts, to characterize and discuss MDD and TRD epidemiology, diagnosis, patient journey, treatment options, and unmet clinical needs. Consensus was reached on the main issues. In daily practice, TRD can be defined as moderate to severe MDD episodes with insufficient clinical improvement after two antidepressant treatments, taken in adequate doses and duration. TRD diagnosis and treatment are mostly decided by psychiatrists at public hospitals. Treatment type and duration must be adjusted to characteristics of the patient and the depressive episode, including symptoms, number of previous episodes, comorbidities, and previous treatment response and side effects. The most relevant objectives of TRD treatment are reaching response and remission, prevention of suicide, and improvement of quality of life, functionality, and wellbeing. Regarding pharmacotherapy, antidepressant switch occurs more frequently with non-response, while optimization, combination, and augmentation are considered for patients with partial response. Psychotherapy should be considered in parallel to pharmacological treatment. Brain stimulation techniques are underused. Lifelong treatment is required for recurrent or more chronic TRD episodes, but patient adherence is also poorer in these cases. In Portugal, TRD management is limited by lack of access to specialist care and to many treatment options. These aspects highlight that conventional pharmacotherapy does not lead to remission in many patients and that optimization strategies are frequently necessary to achieve satisfactory treatment outcomes.publishersversionpublishe

Qualidade da assistência ao trabalho de parto pelo Sistema Único de Saúde, Rio de Janeiro (RJ), 1999-2001

OBJECTIVE: Quality of labor care has been recognized as a major factor for prevention of obstetric complications which can lead to maternal, perinatal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. The objective of the study was to assess quality of labor care by gestational risk and type of health provider. METHODS: Observational, cross-sectional study of labor care provided to 574 pregnant women. Stratified sampling in 20 Unified Health System maternity hospitals in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, was carried out between 1999 and 2001. Quality of labor care was assessed by gestational risk and type of health provider. Statistical analyses consisted of variance analysis and the analysis of difference between proportions. RESULTS: Of all women studied, 29.6% were classified at obstetric risk. Although hypertension is the main cause of maternal death in Brazil, 71.6% did not have their prelabor blood pressure measured. Five measures were taken on average per parturient and the lowest rate was found in privately insured hospitals (average of 2.9). As to humanized health care, only 21.4% of the parturients had an accompanying person on their side during labor, 75.7% were submitted to intravenous hydration and 24.3% to amniotomy. The single care-related factor that varied by obstetric risk was frequency of blood pressure measures: high-risk parturients had their blood pressure measured twice as much as those low-risk women (mean 0.36 vs. 0.18 measures/h, p=0.006). CONCLUSIONS: In general, low-risk parturients were submitted to unnecessary interventions while high-risk women did not receive adequate care. As a result, there are poor perinatal outcomes, high cesarean rates and high maternal mortality rates, which do not reflect health care investments and technology available.OBJETIVO: La calidad de asistencia en el trabajo de parto ha sido reconocida en la prevención de complicaciones obstétricas que pueden llevar a la morbi-mortalidad maternal, perinatal y neonatal. El objetivo del estudio fue analizar la calidad de la asistencia en el trabajo de parto de acuerdo con el riesgo gestacional y tipo de asistencia médica. MÉTODOS: Se realizó estudio transversal de observación de la asistencia en el trabajo de parto de 574 mujeres, seleccionadas por muestra estratificada en 20 maternidades del Sistema Único de Salud de Rio de Janerio (Sureste de Brasil), entre 1999 y 2001. La calidad de asistencia fue analizada de acuerdo con el riesgo gestacional y tipo de asistencia médica. Se utilizaron procedimientos estadísticos de análisis de varianza y de diferencia de proporciones. RESULTADOS: Del total de la muestra, 29,6% de las gestantes fueron clasificadas como de riesgo. A pesar de la hipertensión ser una de las causas más importantes de la muerte materna en Brasil, la presión arterial no fue evaluada en 71,6% de las gestantes durante la observación en pre-parto. En promedio se realizaron cinco estimaciones por parturienta, siendo el menor número en los hospitales con convenios privados (promedio 2,9). Con relación a la humanización de la asistencia, se observó que apenas 21,4% de las parturientas tuvieron la presencia de acompañante en el pre-parto, 75,7% fueron sometidas a hidratación venosa y 24,3% a amniotomía. El único tipo de cuidado que varió según el riesgo obstétrico fue la frecuencia de estimación de la presión arterial, en el que las gestantes de riesgo fueron monitoreadas doblemente con relación a las demás (promedio de 0,36 x 0,18 estimaciones/h respectivamente, p=0,006). CONCLUSIONES: De modo general, las gestantes de bajo riesgo son sometidas a intervenciones innecesarias y las de alto riesgo no reciben el cuidado adecuado. En consecuencia, los resultados perinatales son desfavorables y las tasas de cesáreas y de mortalidad materna son incompatibles con las inversiones y la tecnología disponible.OBJETIVO: A qualidade da assistência ao trabalho de parto tem sido reconhecida na prevenção de complicações obstétricas que podem levar à morbi-mortalidade materna, perinatal e neonatal. O objetivo do estudo foi analisar a qualidade da assistência ao trabalho de parto segundo o risco gestacional e tipo de prestador. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal de observação da assistência ao trabalho de parto de 574 mulheres, selecionadas por amostra estratificada em 20 maternidades do Sistema Único de Saúde do Rio de Janeiro (RJ), entre 1999 e 2001. A qualidade da assistência foi analisada segundo o risco gestacional e o tipo de prestador. Utilizaram-se procedimentos estatísticos de análise de variância e de diferença de proporções. RESULTADOS: Do total da amostra, 29,6% das gestantes foram classificadas como de risco. Apesar da hipertensão ser a causa mais importante de morte materna no Brasil, a pressão arterial não foi aferida em 71,6% das gestantes durante a observação no pré-parto. Em média foram feitas cinco aferições por parturiente, sendo o menor número nos hospitais conveniados privados (média de 2,9). Quanto à humanização da assistência, observou-se que apenas 21,4% das parturientes tiveram a presença de acompanhante no pré-parto, 75,7% foram submetidas à hidratação venosa e 24,3% à amniotomia. O único tipo de cuidado que variou segundo o risco obstétrico foi a freqüência da aferição da pressão arterial, em que as gestantes de risco foram monitoradas o dobro de vezes em relação às demais (média de 0,36 x 0,18 aferições/h respectivamente, p=0,006). CONCLUSÕES: De modo geral, as gestantes de baixo risco são submetidas a intervenções desnecessárias e as de alto risco não recebem cuidado adequado. Como conseqüência, os resultados perinatais são desfavoráveis e as taxas de cesariana e de mortalidade materna são incompatíveis com os investimentos e a tecnologia disponível

Swept-source OCTA quantification of capillary closure predicts ETDRS severity staging of NPDR

To test whether a single or composite set of parameters evaluated with optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA), representing retinal capillary closure, can predict non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) staging according to the gold standard ETDRS grading scheme. 105 patients with diabetes, either without retinopathy or with different degrees of retinopathy (NPDR up to ETDRS grade 53), were prospectively evaluated using swept-source OCTA (SS-OCTA, PlexElite, Carl Zeiss Meditec) with 15×9 mm and 3×3 mm angiography protocols. Seven-field photographs of the fundus were obtained for ETDRS staging. Eyes from age-matched healthy subjects were also imaged as control. In eyes of patients with type 2 diabetes without retinopathy or ETDRS levels 20 and 35, retinal capillary closure was in the macular area, with predominant alterations in the parafoveal retinal circulation (inner ring). Retinal capillary closure in ETDRS stages 43-53 becomes predominant in the retinal midperiphery with vessel density average values of 25.2±7.9 (p=0.001) in ETDRS 43 and 23.5±3.4 (p=0.001) in ETDRS 47-53, when evaluating extended areas of 15×9 protocol. Combination of acquisition protocols 3×3 mm and 15×9 mm, using SS-OCTA, allows discrimination between eyes with mild NPDR (ETDRS 10, 20, 35) and eyes with moderate-to-severe NPDR (ETDRS grades 43-53). Retinal capillary closure, quantified by SS-OCTA, can identify NPDR severity progression. It is located mainly in the perifoveal retinal capillary circulation in the initial stages of NPDR, whereas the retinal midperiphery is predominantly affected in moderate-to-severe NPDR.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Pro-inflammatory activation following demyelination is required for myelin clearance and oligodendrogenesis

Remyelination requires innate immune system function, but how exactly microglia and macrophages clear myelin debris after injury and tailor a specific regenerative response is unclear. Here, we asked whether pro-inflammatory microglial/macrophage activation is required for this process. We established a novel toxin-based spinal cord model of de- and remyelination in zebrafish and showed that pro-inflammatory NF-κB-dependent activation in phagocytes occurs rapidly after myelin injury. We found that the pro-inflammatory response depends on myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (MyD88). MyD88-deficient mice and zebrafish were not only impaired in the degradation of myelin debris, but also in initiating the generation of new oligodendrocytes for myelin repair. We identified reduced generation of TNF-α in lesions of MyD88-deficient animals, a pro-inflammatory molecule that was able to induce the generation of new premyelinating oligodendrocytes. Our study shows that pro-inflammatory phagocytic signaling is required for myelin debris degradation, for inflammation resolution, and for initiating the generation of new oligodendrocytes

IL-10 overexpression predisposes to invasive aspergillosis by suppressing antifungal immunity

© 2017 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & ImmunologyProinflammatory immune responses are critically required for antimicrobial host defenses; however, excessive inflammation has the potential to damage host tissues thereby paradoxically contributing to the progression of infection. A central negative regulator of inflammatory responses is IL-10, an immunosuppressive cytokine with a wide variety of functions across multiple cell types. Although the role of IL-10 during infection appears to vary for different microorganisms, a largely detrimental role has been attributed to this cytokine during fungal disease. Given the variable risk of infection and its outcome among patients with comparable predisposing factors, susceptibility to invasive aspergillosis (IA) is thought to rely largely on genetic predisposition. The initial investigation of genetic variability at the IL10 locus led to the identification of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) influencing its transcriptional activity; thus, IL-10 may be a reasonable candidate for the genetic regulation of susceptibility to IA in high-risk patients.Supported by the Northern Portugal Regional Operational Programme (NORTE 2020), under the Portugal 2020 Partnership Agreement, through the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER) (NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000013), the Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT) (contracts IF/00735/2014 to A.C., IF/01390/2014 to E.T., IF/00021/2014 to R.S., and SFRH/BPD/96176/2013 to C.C.), the Conselho de Reitores das Universidades Portuguesas (CRUP), Portugal (Ações Integradas Luso-Alemãs A-43/16), the Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD) (project-ID 57212690), the Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias (Madrid, Spain) (grant #PI12/02688) and the ERA-NET PathoGenoMics (grant #0315900A).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Abnormal Brain Activation in Neurofibromatosis Type 1: A Link between Visual Processing and the Default Mode Network

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is one of the most common single gene disorders affecting the human nervous system with a high incidence of cognitive deficits, particularly visuospatial. Nevertheless, neurophysiological alterations in low-level visual processing that could be relevant to explain the cognitive phenotype are poorly understood. Here we used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to study early cortical visual pathways in children and adults with NF1. We employed two distinct stimulus types differing in contrast and spatial and temporal frequencies to evoke relatively different activation of the magnocellular (M) and parvocellular (P) pathways. Hemodynamic responses were investigated in retinotopically-defined regions V1, V2 and V3 and then over the acquired cortical volume. Relative to matched control subjects, patients with NF1 showed deficient activation of the low-level visual cortex to both stimulus types. Importantly, this finding was observed for children and adults with NF1, indicating that low-level visual processing deficits do not ameliorate with age. Moreover, only during M-biased stimulation patients with NF1 failed to deactivate or even activated anterior and posterior midline regions of the default mode network. The observation that the magnocellular visual pathway is impaired in NF1 in early visual processing and is specifically associated with a deficient deactivation of the default mode network may provide a neural explanation for high-order cognitive deficits present in NF1, particularly visuospatial and attentional. A link between magnocellular and default mode network processing may generalize to neuropsychiatric disorders where such deficits have been separately identified

Erratum to: The study of cardiovascular risk in adolescents – ERICA: rationale, design and sample characteristics of a national survey examining cardiovascular risk factor profile in Brazilian adolescents

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