Is the Intergenic Region of Aedes aegypti Totivirus a Recombination Hotspot?

The genus totivirus in the family Totiviridae contains double-stranded RNA viruses. Their genome has two open reading frames (ORFs) that encode capsid protein (CP) and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). The toti-like viruses recently identified in Anopheles sp. and Aedes aegypti mosquitoes (AaTV) share the same genome organization as other totiviruses. The AaTVs that have been described in distinct geographical regions are monophyletic. In this study, we show that AaTV sequences can be grouped into at least three phylogenetic clades (named A, B, and C). Clades A and B are composed of AaTV sequences from mosquitoes collected in the Caribbean region (Guadeloupe), and clade C contains sequences from the USA. These clades may represent AaTV lineages that are locally adapted to their host populations. We also identified three recombinant AaTV strains circulating in mosquitoes in Guadeloupe. Although these strains have different chimeric patterns, the position of the recombination breakpoint was identical in all strains. Interestingly, this breakpoint is located in a hairpin-like structure in the intergenic region of the AaTV genome. This RNA structure may stall RNA polymerase processivity and consequently induce template switching. In vitro studies should be conducted to further investigate the biological significance of AaTV’s intergenic region as a recombination hotspo

Capacidade funcional, nível de atividade física e risco de quedas de idosas participantes de um centro de convivência no interior da Paraíba

ABSTRACT Functional capacity, level of physical activity and risk of falls of elderly women participating in a cohabitation center in the interior of ParaíbaCommunity centers have promoted well-being and health, through the development of physical, cultural, educational and recreational activities, however, little is known about the potential that these activities promote in the biopsychosocial domains of users, especially in the Northeast of Brazil. The aim was to analyze physical activity level (PAL), cognitive function, functional capacity and risk of falls of elderly women participating in the Serviço de Convivência e Fortalecimento de Vínculos (SCFV) in Emas-PB. In an ex post facto study, elderly [n=6; age: 69 (7) years; BMI: 29.8 (6.4) kg/m2] underwent anamnesis and anthropometric measurements (body mass and height), PAL (IPAQ), cognitive function (Mini-mental state examination) and functional capacity (Berg Balance Scale, Functional Reach Test and Timed Up & Go). Spearman's Rho coefficient (ρ) was used to verify the relationship among the variables (P≤0.05). The results showed a low risk of falls for the majority of the elderly, although four elderly women reported a fall in the last 12 months. In addition, it was verified that the greater the time spent in physical activities, the lower the number of falls (ρ= −0.83; P=0.04). Age influenced the static and dynamic balance (P<0.05) and the mental state revealed a high relationship with the functional reach (ρ= 0.93; P= 0.01). Since the elderly have regularly attended SCFV activities for a year, participation in this community center seems to bring benefits to general health. Os centros de convivência têm promovido bem-estar e saúde, por meio do desenvolvimento de atividades físicas, culturais, educacionais e recreativas, contudo, pouco se sabe sobre o potencial que estas atividades promovem nos domínios biopsicossociais dos usuários, especialmente na região nordeste. O objetivo foi analisar o nível de atividade física (NAF), função cognitiva, capacidade funcional e risco de quedas de idosas participantes do Serviço de Convivência e Fortalecimento de Vínculos (SCFV) na cidade de Emas-PB. Em um estudo ex post facto, idosas [n=6; idade: 69 (7) anos; IMC: 29,8 (6,4) kg/m2] foram submetidas a uma anamnese e a medidas antropométricas (massa corporal e estatura), do NAF (IPAQ), da função cognitiva (Mini Exame do Estado Mental) e da capacidade funcional (Escala de Equilíbrio de Berg, Teste de Alcance Funcional e Timed Up & Go). Utilizou-se o coeficiente Rho de Spearman (ρ) para verificar o relacionamento entre as variáveis (P≤0,05). Os resultados demonstraram baixo risco de quedas para a maioria das idosas, embora quatro idosas tenham reportado queda nos últimos 12 meses. Além disso, verificou-se que quanto maior o tempo gasto em atividades físicas, menor o número de quedas (ρ= −0,83; P= 0,04). A idade influenciou o equilíbrio estático e dinâmico (P<0,05) e o estado mental apresentou elevado relacionamento com o alcance funcional (ρ= 0,93; P= 0,01). Uma vez que as idosas frequentaram regularmente as atividades no SCFV há um ano, a participação neste centro de convivência parece trazer benefícios à saúde geral.

Characterization of long-term care facilities for the elderly in the metropolitan region of Belo Horizonte

<div><p>Abstract Objective: to characterize Long Term Care Facilities for the Elderly (LTCFs) from the Metropolitan Region of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil in terms of administrative and care aspects. Method: an exploratory, quantitative study was conducted in the MRBH, with primary and secondary sources used to map the LTCFs. A structured questionnaire was used for characterization, and data was collected between November 2014 and December 2015 through telephone contact and site visits to the LTCFs. A descriptive statistical analysis of the data was subsequently performed. Results: the 156 participating institutions included private and mixed institutions, with predominantly female residents with dependency levels I and II, and elevated levels of occupation. Philanthropic LTCFs directly receive the retirement pensions of the elderly persons, although most also receive a government grant. The results in terms of activities offered were similar for the philanthropic and private facilities, while the staff of the private facilities had more health professionals and the philanthropic facilities had more social workers and psychologists. Conclusions: there was significant participation among the LTCFs, despite the limiting factors of the study such as the data collection instrument and strategy. It is important to prioritize the elderly when creating policies to improve care for institutionalized individuals, as well as facilitating interlocution between LTCFs to minimize the abandonment of state participation.</p></div

A Novel Highly Divergent Strain of Cell Fusing Agent Virus (CFAV) in Mosquitoes from the Brazilian Amazon Region

Classical insect-specific flaviviruses (cISFs) have been widely detected in different countries in the last decades. Here, we characterize the near full-length genomes of two cISFs detected in mosquitoes collected in the city of Macap&#225;, state of Amap&#225;, Amazon region of Brazil. A total of 105 pools of female mosquitos were analyzed by next-generation sequencing (NGS). Comparative genomics and phylogenetic analysis identified three strains of cell fusing agent virus (CFAV) and two of Culex flavivirus (CxFV). All sequences were obtained from pools of Culex sp., except for one sequence of CFAV detected in a pool of Aedes aegypti. Both CxFV strains are phylogenetically related to a strain isolated in 2012 in the Southeast region of Brazil. The CFAV strains are the first of this species to be identified in Brazil and one of them is highly divergent from other strains of CFAV that have been detected worldwide. In conclusion, CFAV and CxFV, circulate in mosquitoes in Brazil. One strain of CFAV is highly divergent from others previously described, suggesting that a novel strain of CFAV is present in this region

Detection of RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase of Hubei Reo-Like Virus 7 by Next-Generation Sequencing in <i>Aedes aegypti</i> and <i>Culex quinquefasciatus</i> Mosquitoes from Brazil

Advancements in next-generation sequencing and bioinformatics have expanded our knowledge of the diversity of viruses (pathogens and non-pathogens) harbored by mosquitoes. Hubei reo-like virus 7 (HRLV 7) was recently detected by the virome analysis of fecal samples from migratory birds in Australia. We now report the detection of RNA-dependent RNA polymerase sequences of HRLV 7 in pools of Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes species from the Brazilian Amazon forest. Phylogenetic inferences indicated that all HRLV 7 strains fall within the same independent clade. In addition, HRLV 7 shared a close ancestral lineage with the Dinovernavirus genus of the Reoviridae family. Our findings indicate that HRLV 7 is present in two species of mosquitoes