Avaliação participativa do Programa Nacional de Suplementação de Vitamina A em um município da Região Nordeste do Brasil Participatory evaluation of the National Program for Vitamin A Supplementation in a municipality in Northeast Brazil

Esta pesquisa teve o propósito de avaliar o Programa Nacional de Suplementação de Vitamina A em um município da Região Nordeste do Brasil, com a participação de responsáveis por crianças menores de cinco anos de idade. Trata-se de um estudo transversal, de base populacional, com abordagens qualitativa e quantitativa. Foram realizadas 657 entrevistas estruturadas e análise do registro das doses de vitamina A nos cartões de vacinação das crianças. Observou-se que a população tem acesso às megadoses de vitamina A. No entanto, percebeu-se uma fragilidade no conhecimento acerca do programa e da vitamina A, especialmente entre a população de menor escolaridade. Observou-se ainda que a cobertura do programa está aquém da meta recomendada pelo Ministério da Saúde, sobretudo a partir dos 18 meses de idade. Diante do exposto, é necessário intensificar as ações educativas relacionadas ao programa, no intuito de orientar e sensibilizar os responsáveis quanto à importância da vitamina A, de sua suplementação e da ingestão de alimentos-fonte deste nutriente para a saúde da criança.<br>This study aimed to evaluate the National Program for Vitamin A Supplementation in a municipality (county) in Northeast Brazil, with participation by the parents or guardians of children under five years of age. This was a cross-sectional, population-based study using both qualitative and quantitative approaches. A total of 657 interviews were performed, and the vitamin A doses recorded on the children's immunization cards were analyzed. The population has access to high doses of vitamin A. However, knowledge of the vitamin A supplementation program was limited, especially among parents with less schooling. The program's coverage fell short of the Ministry of Health's target, especially after 18 months of age. It is thus necessary to intensify the program's educational activities in order to raise awareness among families of under-five children on the importance of vitamin A, its supplementation, and the importance of eating natural sources of this nutrient for the child's health

Gasdermin-D activation by SARS-CoV-2 triggers NET and mediate COVID-19 immunopathology

Abstract: Background: The release of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) is associated with inflammation, coagulopathy, and organ damage found in severe cases of COVID-19. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the release of NETs in COVID-19 remain unclear. Objectives: We aim to investigate the role of the Gasdermin-D (GSDMD) pathway on NETs release and the development of organ damage during COVID-19. Methods: We performed a single-cell transcriptome analysis in public data of bronchoalveolar lavage. Then, we enrolled 63 hospitalized patients with moderate and severe COVID-19. We analyze in blood and lung tissue samples the expression of GSDMD, presence of NETs, and signaling pathways upstreaming. Furthermore, we analyzed the treatment with disulfiram in a mouse model of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Results: We found that the SARS-CoV-2 virus directly activates the pore-forming protein GSDMD that triggers NET production and organ damage in COVID-19. Single-cell transcriptome analysis revealed that the expression of GSDMD and inflammasome-related genes were increased in COVID-19 patients. High expression of active GSDMD associated with NETs structures was found in the lung tissue of COVID-19 patients. Furthermore, we showed that activation of GSDMD in neutrophils requires active caspase1/4 and live SARS-CoV-2, which infects neutrophils. In a mouse model of SARS-CoV-2 infection, the treatment with disulfiram inhibited NETs release and reduced organ damage. Conclusion: These results demonstrated that GSDMD-dependent NETosis plays a critical role in COVID-19 immunopathology and suggests GSDMD as a novel potential target for improving the COVID-19 therapeutic strategy

Characterisation of microbial attack on archaeological bone

As part of an EU funded project to investigate the factors influencing bone preservation in the archaeological record, more than 250 bones from 41 archaeological sites in five countries spanning four climatic regions were studied for diagenetic alteration. Sites were selected to cover a range of environmental conditions and archaeological contexts. Microscopic and physical (mercury intrusion porosimetry) analyses of these bones revealed that the majority (68%) had suffered microbial attack. Furthermore, significant differences were found between animal and human bone in both the state of preservation and the type of microbial attack present. These differences in preservation might result from differences in early taphonomy of the bones. © 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved