Dynamics and determinants of SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR testing on symptomatic individuals attending healthcare centers during 2020 in Bahia, Brazil

RT-PCR testing data provides opportunities to explore regional and individual determinants of test positivity and surveillance infrastructure. Using Generalized Additive Models, we explored 222,515 tests of a random sample of individuals with COVID-19 compatible symptoms in the Brazilian state of Bahia during 2020. We found that age and male gender were the most significant determinants of test positivity. There was evidence of an unequal impact among socio-demographic strata, with higher positivity among those living in areas with low education levels during the first epidemic wave, followed by those living in areas with higher education levels in the second wave. Our estimated probability of testing positive after symptom onset corroborates previous reports that the probability decreases with time, more than halving by about two weeks and converging to zero by three weeks. Test positivity rates generally followed state-level reported cases, and while a single laboratory performed ~90% of tests covering ~99% of the state's area, test turn-around time generally remained below four days. This testing effort is a testimony to the Bahian surveillance capacity during public health emergencies, as previously witnessed during the recent Zika and Yellow Fever outbreaks

Especiação química de arsênio inorgânico no estuário da Laguna dos Patos (RS, Brasil)

This study optimized and validated a method to perform chemical speciation of inorganic arsenic in water samples collected under the Monitoring Program of the Port of Rio Grande-RS in July and October 2010 from the Laguna dos Patos Estuary (RS, Brazil). The flow injection hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry technique was employed, allowing quantification of As3+ and As5+ present in estuarine water samples. Data interpretation for results generated using the improved method for analyzing water samples collected from Laguna dos Patos Estuary was done by main components analysis

CHEMICAL SPECIATION OF INORGANIC ARSENIC IN LAGUNA DOS PATOS ESTUARY (RS, BRAZIL)

Submitted by Paula Gautério ([email protected]) on 2014-05-31T15:19:53Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Especiação química de arsênio inorgânico no estuário da Laguna dos Patos (RS, Brasil).pdf: 268780 bytes, checksum: 868015eaf618029b34109b4e868ce420 (MD5)Approved for entry into archive by cristiane soares ([email protected]) on 2014-08-22T17:21:37Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Especiação química de arsênio inorgânico no estuário da Laguna dos Patos (RS, Brasil).pdf: 268780 bytes, checksum: 868015eaf618029b34109b4e868ce420 (MD5)Made available in DSpace on 2014-08-22T17:21:37Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Especiação química de arsênio inorgânico no estuário da Laguna dos Patos (RS, Brasil).pdf: 268780 bytes, checksum: 868015eaf618029b34109b4e868ce420 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012This study optimized and validated a method to perform chemical speciation of inorganic arsenic in water samples collected under the Monitoring Program of the Port of Rio Grande-RS in July and October 2010 from the Laguna dos Patos Estuary (RS, Brazil). The flow injection hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry technique was employed, allowing quantification of As3+ and As5+ present in estuarine water samples. Data interpretation for results generated using the improved method for analyzing water samples collected from Laguna dos Patos Estuary was done by main components analysis

Epidemiological Study of Patients with Spinal Cord Injury Treated in POLEM, a Specialized Clinic in São Paulo State – Brazil

Objective To analyze the epidemiological profile of patients with spinal cord injury treated at POLEM – Associação de Apoio às Pessoas com Lesão Medular (Association for Supporting People with Spinal Cord Injury). Method The population studied comprised 113 patients with spinal cord injury, of traumatic or nontraumatic etiology, and the data obtained were compared with those of other institutions. Results Of the 113 patients, 70.8% were male and 29.2% female. Traumatic lesions were responsible for 54% of the patients, and nontraumatic for 46%. Of the patients with traumatic injury, 90.2% were male, the main cause being traffic accidents. In nontraumatic lesions, women were the most affected, 51.9%; and dysraphism and myelitis were the main causes (31% and 21%, respectively). Conclusion The results showed an important incidence of spinal cord injury due to trauma, mainly affecting young individuals of productive age and low educational level, representing high economic and social costs. The data found in the present study are similar to those of other studies performed in our country