Detecção digital de doenças e vigilância participativa: panorama e perspectivas para o Brasil

This study aimed to describe the digital disease detection and participatory surveillance in different countries. The systems or platforms consolidated in the scientific field were analyzed by describing the strategy, type of data source, main objectives, and manner of interaction with users. Eleven systems or platforms, developed from 1996 to 2016, were analyzed. There was a higher frequency of data mining on the web and active crowdsourcing as well as a trend in the use of mobile applications. It is important to provoke debate in the academia and health services for the evolution of methods and insights into participatory surveillance in the digital age.O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever a detecção digital de doenças e vigilância participativa em diferentes países. Os sistemas ou plataformas consolidados no meio científico foram analisados por descrição da estratégia, do tipo de fonte de dados, dos objetivos principais e da forma de interação com os usuários. Foram analisados 11 sistemas ou plataformas, desenvolvidos entre 1996 e 2016. Observou-se maior frequência de mineração de dados na web e crowdsourcing ativo e tendência no uso de aplicativos móveis. É importante provocar o debate nos âmbitos acadêmico e dos serviços de saúde para evolução dos métodos e percepções sobre a vigilância participativa na era digital

Quality of infant sleep, electronic devices and bullying behaviors in schools

This research investigates the relationship betweenthe quality of infant sleep, the use of electronic devices and of videogames before bedtime and bullying behaviors in school context. Research Questions: Is the quality of infant sleep and the use of electronic devices at bedtime related to bullying? The use of electronic devices before bedtime affects sleep duration and latency? Purpose of the Study: To analyze the relationship between the use of electronic devices before bed and the sleep infant quality. As well as, the relation between the quality of the children sleep duration, children’ sleep latency, use of electronic devices, videogames in a daily basis, and bullying behaviors in school context. Research Methods: Participants are divided into two groups; one of these groups consists of the children who responded to the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index andthe Children’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ-PT), totalling 860. The other group had a sample of 51 children, the Sociodemographic Questionnaire and the Children’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ-PT) were applied. Findings: A statistically significant relationship was found between sleep quality and use of electronic devices before bed, with the exception of television. As a relationship between sleep quality and bullying behaviors, and also between using electronic gadgets before bedtime and bullying behaviors just for listening to music. Considering the sleep latency, a negative correlation was found with daily videogames use. Conclusions: There seems to be a relationship between sleep quality and bullying behaviors in school, and between the use of electronic devices and sleep quality. Also listening to music at bedtime is positively related to bullying behaviors. On the other hand, the videogames daily use before bedtime affects in a significant manner the children’ sleep latency (and the sleep REM)..info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Transcriptome analysis of Taenia solium cysticerci using Open reading Frame ESTS (ORESTES)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Human infection by the pork tapeworm <it>Taenia solium </it>affects more than 50 million people worldwide, particularly in underdeveloped and developing countries. Cysticercosis which arises from larval encystation can be life threatening and difficult to treat. Here, we investigate for the first time the transcriptome of the clinically relevant cysticerci larval form.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Using Expressed Sequence Tags (ESTs) produced by the ORESTES method, a total of 1,520 high quality ESTs were generated from 20 ORESTES cDNA mini-libraries and its analysis revealed fragments of genes with promising applications including 51 ESTs matching antigens previously described in other species, as well as 113 sequences representing proteins with potential extracellular localization, with obvious applications for immune-diagnosis or vaccine development.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The set of sequences described here will contribute to deciphering the expression profile of this important parasite and will be informative for the genome assembly and annotation, as well as for studies of intra- and inter-specific sequence variability. Genes of interest for developing new diagnostic and therapeutic tools are described and discussed.</p

Nutritional status of children and adolescents hospitalized at the pediatric surgery unit

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the nutritional status, duration of hospital stay and clinical specialties of patients hospitalized in the Pediatric Surgery Unit of São Paulo Hospital, UNIFESP-EPM. METHODS: This cross-sectional retrospective study enrolled 749 children and adolescents of both genders admitted to the Pediatric Surgery Unit during the period of August 2007 to July 2008. The following data were collected: anthropometric variables, duration of hospital stay and surgical procedures. For nutritional status classification, the Z score for body mass index (Z BMI) and height-for-age (Z H/A) were used according to the World Health Organization growth chart (WHO, 2007). The children were classified according to the surgical procedures performed. Results were compared by ANOVA followed by Bonferroni multiple comparisons test, being significant p<0.05. Statistical analysis was carried out through STATA 8.0 software. RESULTS: Patients' mean age was seven years old (0 to 18), 59% were males and 18% had ear, neck or throat surgery. Among the hospitalized patients, 66% had appropriated height for age, 43% were eutrophic and 31% obese/overweight. The malnourished patients presented longer hospital stay than the obese/overweight patients (7.2 versus 4.1 days; p=0,035). Infants had prolonged hospital stay (p=0,006) and less Z BMI values in comparison to the other age groups. (p=0,001). Infants that needed cardiac surgery presented lower Z BMI in relation to the others (p=0,002). CONCLUSIONS: The patients profile in the Pediatric Surgery Unit followed the nutritional pattern observed in Brazil, with increasing prevalence of obesity together with malnutrition. However, malnutrition is still an aggravating factor for prolonged hospital stayOBJETIVO: Avaliar o estado nutricional, o tempo de internação e as especialidades clínicas de pacientes internados na enfermaria de Cirurgia Pediátrica do Hospital São Paulo da UNIFESP-EPM. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal retrospectivo, com 749 crianças e adolescentes de ambos os gêneros acompanhados por equipe interdisciplinar durante o período de agosto de 2007 a julho de 2008. Foram coletados dados antropométricos, dias de internação e procedimento cirúrgico segundo a especialidade. Para a classificação do estado nutricional, utilizou-se o escore Z do índice de massa corporal (Z IMC) e da estatura/idade (Z E/I) segundo a curva da Organização Mundial de Saúde (OMS, 2007). As crianças foram classificadas segundo diagnóstico estabelecido previamente à cirurgia. Utilizou-se o programa STATA 8.0 para análise dos dados e aplicou-se o teste ANOVA e comparações múltiplas de Bonferroni, considerando-se significante p<0,05. RESULTADOS: A mediana de idade foi sete anos (0 a 18), predominando o gênero masculino (59%) e as internações para cirurgia otorrinolaringológica (18%). Dos pacientes internados, 66% tinham estatura adequada para idade, 43% eutróficos e 31% obesos/sobrepeso. Os pacientes desnutridos permaneceram mais dias internados quando comparados aos obesos/sobrepeso (7,2 versus 4,1 dias; p=0,035). Os lactentes apresentaram maior tempo de internação (p=0,006) e menor valor de Z IMC, comparados aos outros grupos etários (p=0,001). Os lactentes com programação de cirurgia cardíaca apresentaram Z IMC menor em relação às demais especialidades (p=0,002). CONCLUSÕES: O perfil dos pacientes internados condiz com a atual transição nutricional, aumento da prevalência de obesidade concomitante à desnutrição. Entretanto, a desnutrição ainda constitui fator agravante para a permanência hospitalarUNIFESP-EPM Departamento de Pediatria Disciplina de NutrologiaUNIFESP-EPM Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da NutriçãoUNIFESP, EPM, Depto. de Pediatria Disciplina de NutrologiaUNIFESP, EPM Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da NutriçãoSciEL

Dermoscopic and reflectance confocal microscopy findings in extra-genital hpv16-associated pigmented squamous cell carcinoma in situ

Cutaneous Oncology Department AC Camargo Cancer Center, Rua Professor Antonio Prudente, 211, São Paulo, BrazilPathology Department, AC Camargo Cancer Center, Rua Professor Antonio Prudente, 211, São Paulo, BrazilDepartment of Dermatology, Sheba Medical Center and Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, IsraelDermatology Department, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, BrazilDermatology Department, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

New genes of Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri involved in pathogenesis and adaptation revealed by a transposon-based mutant library

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Citrus canker is a disease caused by the phytopathogens <it>Xanthomonas citri </it>subsp. <it>citri</it>, <it>Xanthomonas fuscans </it>subsp. <it>aurantifolli </it>and <it>Xanthomonas alfalfae </it>subsp. <it>citrumelonis</it>. The first of the three species, which causes citrus bacterial canker type A, is the most widely spread and severe, attacking all citrus species. In Brazil, this species is the most important, being found in practically all areas where citrus canker has been detected. Like most phytobacterioses, there is no efficient way to control citrus canker. Considering the importance of the disease worldwide, investigation is needed to accurately detect which genes are related to the pathogen-host adaptation process and which are associated with pathogenesis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Through transposon insertion mutagenesis, 10,000 mutants of <it>Xanthomonas citri </it>subsp. <it>citri </it>strain 306 (Xcc) were obtained, and 3,300 were inoculated in Rangpur lime (<it>Citrus limonia</it>) leaves. Their ability to cause citrus canker was analyzed every 3 days until 21 days after inoculation; a set of 44 mutants showed altered virulence, with 8 presenting a complete loss of causing citrus canker symptoms. Sequencing of the insertion site in all 44 mutants revealed that 35 different ORFs were hit, since some ORFs were hit in more than one mutant, with mutants for the same ORF presenting the same phenotype. An analysis of these ORFs showed that some encoded genes were previously known as related to pathogenicity in phytobacteria and, more interestingly, revealed new genes never implicated with <it>Xanthomonas </it>pathogenicity before, including hypothetical ORFs. Among the 8 mutants with no canker symptoms are the <it>hrpB4 </it>and <it>hrpX </it>genes, two genes that belong to type III secretion system (TTSS), two hypothetical ORFS and, surprisingly, the <it>htrA </it>gene, a gene reported as involved with the virulence process in animal-pathogenic bacteria but not described as involved in phytobacteria virulence. Nucleic acid hybridization using labeled cDNA probes showed that some of the mutated genes are differentially expressed when the bacterium is grown in citrus leaves. Finally, comparative genomic analysis revealed that 5 mutated ORFs are in new putative pathogenicity islands.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The identification of these new genes related with Xcc infection and virulence is a great step towards the understanding of plant-pathogen interactions and could allow the development of strategies to control citrus canker.</p

Cactus Cladodes Opuntia or Nopalea and By-Product of Low Nutritional Value as Solutions to Forage Shortages in Semiarid Areas

Simple Summary In the different livestock production systems, forage is the main feed resource. However, the availability and quality of the forage fluctuate throughout the year due to variable environmental conditions, such as temperature, humidity, location, or lack of rainfall. In semiarid regions, this fact is even more critical. The option for forage plants adapted to the semiarid climate, such as cactus cladodes, becomes indispensable for the sustainability of the systems. Nonetheless, it is necessary to combine the cactus with high-fiber-content feeds (silage, hay, and agroindustry residues, among others) to increase fiber contents in the diet to promote ideal rumen conditions. Based on the knowledge that cactus cladodes (Opuntia spp. and Nopalea spp.) are one of the most viable crops in semiarid regions, the association with a by-product rich in NDF proves to be a more feasible alternative in terms of price and availability, with the producer making the final decision. We aimed to evaluate the effect of the cactus cladodes Nopalea cochenillifera (L). Salm-Dyck. (NUB) and cactus cladodes Opuntia stricta (Haw.) Haw. (OUB), both combined with sugarcane bagasse (SB) plus urea, Tifton hay (TH), corn silage (CS), and sorghum silage (SS) plus urea on nutrient intake and digestibility, ruminal dynamics, and parameters. Five male sheep, fistulated in the rumen, were assigned in a 5 x 5 Latin square design. The NUB provided a higher intake of dry matter (DM) and any nutrients than SS. TH provided larger pools of DM and iNDF. The OUB and CS provided a higher DM degradation. CS provided a higher NDF degradation rate. OUB provided a lower ruminal pH. Depending on the collection time, the lowest pH value was estimated at 3.79 h after the morning feeding. There was an interaction between treatments and collection time on VFA concentrations. Due to the high degradation rate, greater energy intake, less change in rumen pH, greater volatile fatty acid production, and feasibility, we recommend using cactus associated with sugarcane bagasse plus urea in sheep diets

Hyperglycemia and nocturnal systolic blood pressure are associatedwith left ventricular hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction in hypertensive diabetic patients

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine if hypertensive type 2 diabetic patients, when compared to patients with essential hypertension have an increased left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and a worse diastolic function, and if this fact would be related to 24-h pressoric levels changes. METHODS: Ninety-one hypertensive patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) (group-1 [G1]), 59 essential hypertensive patients (group-2 [G2]) and 26 healthy controls (group-3 [G3]) were submitted to 24-h Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM) and echocardiography (ECHO) with Doppler. We calculated an average of fasting blood glucose (AFBG) values of G1 from the previous 4.2 years and a glycemic control index (GCI) (percentual of FBG above 200 mg/dl). RESULTS: G1 and G2 did not differ on average of diurnal systolic and diastolic BP. However, G1 presented worse diastolic function and a higher average of nocturnal systolic BP (NSBP) and LVMI (NSBP = 132 ± 18 vs 124 ± 14 mmHg; P < 0.05 and LVMI = 103 ± 27 vs 89 ± 17 g/m(2); P < 0.05, respectively). In G1, LVMI correlated with NSBP (r = 0.37; P < 0.001) and GCI (r = 0.29; P < 0.05) while NSBP correlated with GCI (r = 0.27; P < 0.05) and AFBG (r = 0.30; P < 0.01). When G1 was divided in tertiles according to NSBP, the subgroup with NSBP≥140 mmHg showed a higher risk of LVH. Diabetics with NSBP≥140 mmHg and AFBG>165 mg/dl showed an additional risk of LVH (P < 0.05; odds ratio = 11). In multivariate regression, both GCI and NSBP were independent predictors of LVMI in G1. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that hyperglycemia and higher NSBP levels should be responsible for an increased prevalence of LVH in hypertensive patients with Type 2 DM

Chromosome differentiation patterns during cichlid fish evolution

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Cichlid fishes have been the subject of increasing scientific interest because of their rapid adaptive radiation which has led to an extensive ecological diversity and their enormous importance to tropical and subtropical aquaculture. To increase our understanding of chromosome evolution among cichlid species, karyotypes of one Asian, 22 African, and 30 South American cichlid species were investigated, and chromosomal data of the family was reviewed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Although there is extensive variation in the karyotypes of cichlid fishes (from 2n = 32 to 2n = 60 chromosomes), the modal chromosome number for South American species was 2n = 48 and the modal number for the African ones was 2n = 44. The only Asian species analyzed, <it>Etroplus maculatus</it>, was observed to have 46 chromosomes. The presence of one or two macro B chromosomes was detected in two African species. The cytogenetic mapping of 18S ribosomal RNA (18S rRNA) gene revealed a variable number of clusters among species varying from two to six.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The karyotype diversification of cichlids seems to have occurred through several chromosomal rearrangements involving fissions, fusions and inversions. It was possible to identify karyotype markers for the subfamilies Pseudocrenilabrinae (African) and Cichlinae (American). The karyotype analyses did not clarify the phylogenetic relationship among the Cichlinae tribes. On the other hand, the two major groups of Pseudocrenilabrinae (tilapiine and haplochromine) were clearly discriminated based on the characteristics of their karyotypes. The cytogenetic mapping of 18S ribosomal RNA (18S rRNA) gene did not follow the chromosome diversification in the family. The dynamic evolution of the repeated units of rRNA genes generates patterns of chromosomal distribution that do not help follows the phylogenetic relationships among taxa. The presence of B chromosomes in cichlids is of particular interest because they may not be represented in the reference genome sequences currently being obtained.</p