Mensagem - Casa dos Estdantes do Império 1944-1994, Número Especial

A Casa dos Estudantes do Império (CEI) foi criada em 1944 pelo então Ministério das Coló- nias e pelo Comissariado Nacional da Mocidade Portuguesa sendo destinada ao enquadramento dos estudantes oriundos das Colónias portuguesas (de África, Índia, Macau e Timor). O eco das independências africanas ocorridas ao longo da década de 50 repercutiu-se no império colonial português, onde o regime do Estado Novo registava então grande contestação. Neste contexto histórico muitos jovens estudantes associados à CEI procuraram caminhos de descoberta / construção da identidade dos territó- rios de que eram originários com diversas iniciativas culturais, entre as quais a atividade editorial. A Associação Casa dos Estudantes do Império (ACEI), constituída por associados da CEI, em 1994 e com existência até 1997, reeditou, pela passagem do 50.o aniversário da Casa, dois volumes das Antologias de Poesia de Angola, Moçambique e São Tomé e Príncipe e elaborou um Nú- mero Especial da MENSAGEM, um Boletim publicado pela CEI, de forma irregular, de acordo com as vicissitudes vividas, entre 1948 e 1964. A União das Cidades Capitais de Língua Portuguesa (UCCLA) deliberou levar a efeito uma homenagem aos associados da CEI, iniciada numa cerimónia que teve lugar no Auditório da Reitoria da Universidade de Coimbra, em outubro de 2014, ano em que se perfizeram 70 anos da criação da CEI. Nessa homenagem iniciou-se a distribuição das reedições das referidas Antologias, com novo formato e ainda a distribuição de uma pen com os nomes de todos os associados da CEI, resultado de uma pesquisa levada a efeito na Torre do Tombo. Para 2015, ano em que se perfazem 50 anos sobre a extinção da CEI pela PIDE programaram-se vários eventos. De entre esses eventos constam debates, um Colóquio Internacional, a realizar na Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian, uma exposição na Câmara Municipal de Lisboa e, por fim, a sessão de encerramento no dia 25 de maio, Dia de África, em que intervirão como oradores todos os associados da CEI que vieram a ser Presidentes da República ou Primeiros Ministros dos territórios de onde eram originários. A reedição deste Número Especial da Revista MENSAGEM integra-se nesta justa homenagem.À Memória de Amílcar Cabral Mário de Andrade Carlos Ervedosa e daqueles que partiram cedo demais. Ao Dr. Arménio Ferreira, cuja generosidade e apoio nos anos difíceis prolongaram a existência da Casa. Aos ESTUDANTES AFRICANOS de hoje e do futuro.Ministério dos Negócios Estrangeiros, CPLP, Instituto Camões, Câmara Municipal de Lisboainfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: Insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance

INTRODUCTION Investment in Africa over the past year with regard to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing has led to a massive increase in the number of sequences, which, to date, exceeds 100,000 sequences generated to track the pandemic on the continent. These sequences have profoundly affected how public health officials in Africa have navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. RATIONALE We demonstrate how the first 100,000 SARS-CoV-2 sequences from Africa have helped monitor the epidemic on the continent, how genomic surveillance expanded over the course of the pandemic, and how we adapted our sequencing methods to deal with an evolving virus. Finally, we also examine how viral lineages have spread across the continent in a phylogeographic framework to gain insights into the underlying temporal and spatial transmission dynamics for several variants of concern (VOCs). RESULTS Our results indicate that the number of countries in Africa that can sequence the virus within their own borders is growing and that this is coupled with a shorter turnaround time from the time of sampling to sequence submission. Ongoing evolution necessitated the continual updating of primer sets, and, as a result, eight primer sets were designed in tandem with viral evolution and used to ensure effective sequencing of the virus. The pandemic unfolded through multiple waves of infection that were each driven by distinct genetic lineages, with B.1-like ancestral strains associated with the first pandemic wave of infections in 2020. Successive waves on the continent were fueled by different VOCs, with Alpha and Beta cocirculating in distinct spatial patterns during the second wave and Delta and Omicron affecting the whole continent during the third and fourth waves, respectively. Phylogeographic reconstruction points toward distinct differences in viral importation and exportation patterns associated with the Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron variants and subvariants, when considering both Africa versus the rest of the world and viral dissemination within the continent. Our epidemiological and phylogenetic inferences therefore underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic on the continent and highlight key insights and challenges, for instance, recognizing the limitations of low testing proportions. We also highlight the early warning capacity that genomic surveillance in Africa has had for the rest of the world with the detection of new lineages and variants, the most recent being the characterization of various Omicron subvariants. CONCLUSION Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve. This is important not only to help combat SARS-CoV-2 on the continent but also because it can be used as a platform to help address the many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats in Africa. In particular, capacity building for local sequencing within countries or within the continent should be prioritized because this is generally associated with shorter turnaround times, providing the most benefit to local public health authorities tasked with pandemic response and mitigation and allowing for the fastest reaction to localized outbreaks. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century

Implantation of the Pharmaceutical Equivalence Center of the Clinical Pharmacology Unit of UFC

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento CientÃfico e TecnolÃgicoA consolidaÃÃo do mercado de medicamentos genÃricos no Brasil representa importante estratÃgia governamental, uma vez que significarà maior acesso da populaÃÃo aos medicamentos. A Lei n 9.787, de 10 de fevereiro de 1999, estabeleceu as bases legais para a instituiÃÃo do medicamento genÃrico no PaÃs. Os laboratÃrios de equivalÃncia farmacÃutica fazem a verificaÃÃo entre dois medicamentos que contÃm a mesma molÃcula terapeuticamente ativa, na mesma quantidade e forma farmacÃutica, podendo ou nÃo conter excipientes idÃnticos, se sÃo equivalentes in vitro. Os Centros de EquivalÃncia FarmacÃutica devem ser habilitados pela ANVISA, isto Ã, devem ser inspecionados pela GerÃncia-Geral de LaboratÃrio de SaÃde PÃblica (GGLAS), passando a fazer parte da Rede Brasileira de LaboratÃrios AnalÃticos em SaÃde (REBLAS) e apartir de entÃo, autorizados para a realizaÃÃo dos estudos de equivalÃncia farmacÃutica. Neste contexto foi implantado o LaboratÃrio de EquivalÃncia FarmacÃutica da Unidade de Farmacologia ClÃnica seguindo a seguinte metodologia: adequaÃÃo da infra-estrutura fÃsica do laboratÃrio; qualificaÃÃo e calibraÃÃo de aparelhos/equipamentos; validaÃÃo de MÃtodos AnalÃticos; preparaÃÃo dos Procedimentos Operacionais PadrÃo (POP) e implantaÃÃo do Sistema da Qualidade (SQ); realizaÃÃo de um ensaio piloto de EquivalÃncia FarmacÃutica. Um estudo piloto de equivalÃncia farmacÃutica foi realizado e utilizou-se para isso o medicamento Oxcarbazepina onde foram analisados os seguintes parÃmetros: Dureza, DesintegraÃÃo, IdentificaÃÃo, DissoluÃÃo e Perfil de dissoluÃÃo obtendo resultados favorÃveis em todos os testes. Conclui-se entÃo serem equivalentes farmacÃuticos os medicamentos teste e referÃncia analisados demonstrando que o laboratÃrio encontra-se apto para realizar as anÃlises a que se destina. No dia 22/06/2004 foi entÃo habilitado pela ANVISA recebendo o nÃmero EQFAR 047The consolidation of the generic medicine market in Brazil represents important governmental strategy, a time that will mean greater access of the population to medicines. The Law n 9,787, of 10 of February of 1999, it established the legal bases for the institution of the generic medicine in the Country. The laboratories equivalence pharmaceutical make the verification between two medicines that the same therapeutically active molecule contains, in the same amount and pharmaceutical form, being able or not to contain identical excipient, if vitro is equivalents in. The Centers of Equivalence Pharmaceutical must be qualified visor ANVISA, that is, they are evaluated by General Office of Laboratories of Public Health (GGLAS), second determined parameters, starting to be part of Brazilian Net of Analytical Laboratories in health (REBLAS) and being, from now on, authorized for the accomplishment of the studies equivalence pharmaceutical. (In this context it is that the following methodology was implemented the Pharmaceutical equivalence Laboratory of the UNIFAC having followed: Physical infrastructure and adequacy of the laboratory; Qualification and calibration of devices equipment; Validation of Analytical Methods; Preparation of Operational Procedures Standard (POP) and Implantation of the System of Quality (SQ); Accomplishment of a Pharmaceutical assay equivalence Pilot; Having been approved qualified for the ANVISA in day 22/06/2004. For the study pilot the Oxcarbazepine medicine was used for the pharmaceutical equivalence pilot and had been analyzed the following parameters: Hardness, Disintegration, Identification, Dissolution and Profile of dissolution getting resulted favorable in all the tests. It is concluded then to be pharmaceutical equivalents the analyzed medicines has tested and reference demonstrating that the laboratory meets apt to carry through the analyses the one that if destine

Vitamin D protects dopaminergic neurons against neuroinflammation and oxidative stress in hemiparkinsonian rats

Abstract Background The deficiency in 1α, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (VD3) seems to increase the risk for neurodegenerative pathologies, including Parkinson’s disease (PD). The majority of its actions are mediated by the transcription factor, VD3 receptor (VD3R). Methods The neuroprotective effects of VD3 were investigated on a PD model. Male Wistar rats were divided into the following groups: sham-operated (SO), 6-OHDA-lesioned (non-treated), and 6-OHDA-lesioned and treated with VD3 (7 days before the lesion, pre-treatment or for 14 days after the 6-OHDA striatal lesion, post-treatment). Afterwards, the animals were subjected to behavioral tests and euthanized for striatal neurochemical and immunohistochemical assays. The data were analyzed by ANOVA and the Tukey test and considered significant for p < 0.05. Results We showed that pre- or post-treatments with VD3 reversed behavioral changes and improved the decreased DA contents of the 6-OHDA group. In addition, VD3 reduced the oxidative stress, increased (TH and DAT), and reduced (TNF-alpha) immunostainings in the lesioned striata. While significant decreases in VD3R immunoreactivity were observed after the 6-OHDA lesion, these changes were blocked after VD3 pre- or post-treatments. We showed that VD3 offers neuroprotection, decreasing behavioral changes, DA depletion, and oxidative stress. In addition, it reverses partially or completely TH, DAT, TNF-alpha, and VD3R decreases of immunoreactivities in the non-treated 6-OHDA group. Conclusions Taken together, VD3 effects could result from its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions and from its actions on VD3R. These findings should stimulate translational research towards the VD3 potential for prevention or treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, as PD

The Treadmill Exercise Protects against Dopaminergic Neuron Loss and Brain Oxidative Stress in Parkinsonian Rats

Parkinson’s disease (PD), a progressive neurological pathology, presents motor and nonmotor impairments. The objectives were to support data on exercise benefits to PD. Male Wistar rats were distributed into sham-operated (SO) and 6-OHDA-lesioned, both groups without and with exercise. The animals were subjected to treadmill exercises (14 days), 24 h after the stereotaxic surgery and striatal 6-OHDA injection. Those from no-exercise groups stayed on the treadmill for the same period and, afterwards, were subjected to behavioral tests and euthanized for neurochemical and immunohistochemical assays. The data, analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey post hoc test, were considered significant for p<0.05. The results showed behavioral change improvements in the 6-OHDA group, after the treadmill exercise, evaluated by apomorphine rotational behavior, open field, and rota rod tests. The exercise reduced striatal dopaminergic neuronal loss and decreased the oxidative stress. In addition, significant increases in BDNF contents and in immunoreactive cells to TH and DAT were also observed, in striata of the 6-OHDA group with exercise, relatively to those with no exercise. We conclude that exercise improves behavior and dopaminergic neurotransmission in 6-OHDA-lesioned animals. The increased oxidative stress and decreased BDNF contents were also reversed, emphasizing the importance of exercise for the PD management

Prevalence of COVID-19 in children, adolescents and adults in remote education situations in the city of Fortaleza, Brazil

Objectives: A retrospective study was conducted to identify the prevalence of COVID-19 through serology and RT-PCR in children, adolescents and adults. A database of the COVID-19 Tracking Program in school children was used. Methods: The data comprised sociodemographic and clinical variables, results of serological tests (IgM and IgG), and real-time-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) results of IgM-positive individuals. The statistical analysis was performed with a 5% significance level. Results: Among 423 children, 107 (25.3%) exhibited seroprevalence with IgG, IgM or IgG/IgM; among 854 adolescents, 250 (29.2%) had positive serology; and among 282 adults, 59 (20.9%) were positive. The frequency of positivity on RT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2 was 3.5%, 3.6% and 6.0% in children, adolescents and adults, respectively. Children had a lower incidence of symptoms than adolescents (p = 0.001) and adults (p = 0.003); the most frequent were fever, ageusia, anosmia, headache, dry cough, sore throat, muscle pain, runny nose, dyspnoea, and diarrhoea. Conclusions: The prevalence rate for all groups was 26.7% in serology and 4.04% in RT-PCR. Children had lower rates of IgM and fewer symptoms compared with adolescents and adults. The data suggest the potential for transmissibility in all age groups

Uma história de conceitos na saúde pública: integralidade, coordenação, descentralização, regionalização e universalidade A history of public health concepts: integrity, coordination, decentralization, regionalization, and universality

O Sistema Único de Saúde conferiu visibilidade a uma série de conceitos próprios da organização de sistemas de saúde. Entre eles a integralidade, que delimita fronteiras comuns com quase todos os demais princípios do Sistema, tem sido objeto de ampla literatura no Brasil. Com base em extensa revisão de fontes primárias e secundárias, este artigo apresenta uma recuperação histórica dos conceitos de integralidade, descentralização, regionalização e universalidade - ideias e conceitos que em grande parte se conformam e se interligam no ideário da organização dos serviços sanitários pelo modelo dos Centros de Saúde distritais.<br>Brazil's Unified Health System (Sistema Único de Saúde) has highlighted a series of concepts specific to the organization of healthcare systems. Among these, integrity - which shares boundaries with almost all other System principles - has been the object of much academic production in Brazil. Based on an extensive review of primary and secondary sources, the article offers a historical recovery of the concepts of integrity, decentralization, regionalization, and universality - ideas and concepts that in good measure are shaped by and interlinked with the set of ideals of the organization of sanitary services according to the district health centers model