Malaria and the heart: Two rare case reports of plasmodium falciparum-associated pericarditis

Malaria is one of the most important parasitic diseases in the world, causing significant mortality and morbidity in the tropical regions1 . Although symptoms can range from a mild fever to severe complicated forms, there are limited published data on cardiac involvement of malaria and only a few studies have been carried out regarding cardiac function in severe malaria2–3. Cardiac involvement in the course of malaria ranges from severe forms with hypatension, shock, circulatory collapse and impaired haemodynamic function, to mild disorders documented by Electrocardiogram (ECG) and echocardiography4–6. Pericardial involvement in malaria is a very rare event7–8. We report here two cases of falciparum malaria complicated with pericardial effusion

SARS-CoV-2 introductions and early dynamics of the epidemic in Portugal

Genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in Portugal was rapidly implemented by the National Institute of Health in the early stages of the COVID-19 epidemic, in collaboration with more than 50 laboratories distributed nationwide. Methods By applying recent phylodynamic models that allow integration of individual-based travel history, we reconstructed and characterized the spatio-temporal dynamics of SARSCoV-2 introductions and early dissemination in Portugal. Results We detected at least 277 independent SARS-CoV-2 introductions, mostly from European countries (namely the United Kingdom, Spain, France, Italy, and Switzerland), which were consistent with the countries with the highest connectivity with Portugal. Although most introductions were estimated to have occurred during early March 2020, it is likely that SARS-CoV-2 was silently circulating in Portugal throughout February, before the first cases were confirmed. Conclusions Here we conclude that the earlier implementation of measures could have minimized the number of introductions and subsequent virus expansion in Portugal. This study lays the foundation for genomic epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in Portugal, and highlights the need for systematic and geographically-representative genomic surveillance.We gratefully acknowledge to Sara Hill and Nuno Faria (University of Oxford) and Joshua Quick and Nick Loman (University of Birmingham) for kindly providing us with the initial sets of Artic Network primers for NGS; Rafael Mamede (MRamirez team, IMM, Lisbon) for developing and sharing a bioinformatics script for sequence curation (https://github.com/rfm-targa/BioinfUtils); Philippe Lemey (KU Leuven) for providing guidance on the implementation of the phylodynamic models; Joshua L. Cherry (National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health) for providing guidance with the subsampling strategies; and all authors, originating and submitting laboratories who have contributed genome data on GISAID (https://www.gisaid.org/) on which part of this research is based. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not reflect the view of the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Health and Human Services, or the United States government. This study is co-funded by Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia and Agência de Investigação Clínica e Inovação Biomédica (234_596874175) on behalf of the Research 4 COVID-19 call. Some infrastructural resources used in this study come from the GenomePT project (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-022184), supported by COMPETE 2020 - Operational Programme for Competitiveness and Internationalisation (POCI), Lisboa Portugal Regional Operational Programme (Lisboa2020), Algarve Portugal Regional Operational Programme (CRESC Algarve2020), under the PORTUGAL 2020 Partnership Agreement, through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), and by Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Smartphone inteligente, utilizador dependente : relações entre o uso excessivo da internet e das redes sociais, a solidão e o desempenho académico

Dissertação de Mestrado apresentado no ISPA - Instituto Universitário para obtenção de grau Mestre na especialidade de Psicologia Clínica.A presente investigação trata de averiguar a relação entre o excessivo uso da internet, com especial enfoque nas redes sociais, com a solidão e o desempenho académico. Tem como objetivo compreender o impacto do uso problemático da internet e das redes sociais na solidão e no desempenho académico, bem como o impacto da solidão no uso excessivo da internet e das redes sociais. O uso problemático da internet é ainda hoje inconclusivo o que demonstra a pertinência do tema e do quão importante é contribuir para o conhecimento científico na área. Utilizou-se uma abordagem quantitativa, com design correlacional, abrangendo uma amostra de 551 participantes de diversas associações de estudantes do ensino superior. Concluiu-se nesta investigação que existe uma relação entre o uso excessivo da internet e das redes sociais com a solidão, bem como existe relação entre a solidão e o desempenho académico.This research aims to investigate the relationship between excessive use of the Internet, with special focus on social networks, loneliness and academic performance. It aims to understand the impact of problematic use of the internet and social networks on loneliness and academic performance, as well as the impact of loneliness on the excessive use of the internet and social networks. The problematic use of the internet is still inconclusive, which demonstrates the relevance of the theme and how important is the smallest contribution in the area. A quantitative approach with a correlational design was used, covering a sample of 551 participants from various higher education student associations. It was concluded in this research that there is a relation between the excessive use of the internet and social networks with loneliness, as well as there is a relationship between loneliness and academic achievement

"Render Me" : uma abordagem feminista interseccional sobre os estereótipos de género presentes no design de interação

“'RENDER ME': an intersectional feminist approach to gender bias present in interaction design” seeks to analyse how interactive digital systems reproduce the power structures of a capitalist, heteronormative, misogynistic and racist society, alluding to Prado de O. Martins (2014)'s Feminist Speculative Design. For this reason, it proposes to navigate women’s social roles from a historical and cultural point of view, revealing a masculinist canon in the digital systems. Additionally, it delves into the feminist movement(s) revealing the multiplicity of female experiences, while also highlighting the privilege (and responsibilities) of the designer and programmer in the development of technological artifacts, capable of perpetuating and amplifying stereotypes. As such, the present investigation intends to reveal how biometric technologies can display pejorative bias about its users, through the codification of social indicators, such as gender, race, sexuality, ethnicity and class. Essentially, it seeks to investigate how the collection and categorisation done by Artificial Intelligence systems can be inadequate and restrictive. For this reason, it also addresses a post-humanist perspective that questions the dominant male culture. The design exploration, "Render Me”, intends to offer a satirical approach to gender stereotypes (and the various types of oppression from an intersectional perspective) present in digital systems, through a speculative artifact. The intention is to mimic a fictional brand that raises awareness for the preservation of the power structures set in place and that are reproduced in design

Genital Herpes in a STD outpatient clinic in Lisbon

Introduction: Genital Herpes is the major cause of genito-ulcerative disease affecting a considerable number of individuals worldwide and is a chronic, life-long viral infection caused by both HSV1 or HSV2. Most cases of recurrent genital herpes are caused by HSV2, being the leading cause of genital ulcer disease in developing countries, but the proportion of anogenital herpetic infections attributed to HSV1 are increasing, especially in young women and MSM. The prevalence in the general population ranges from 10% to 80% and depends on socio-economic factors. Seropositivity rates are higher in women than in men and increase with age. Reactivation and subclinical shedding is more frequent in genital infections caused by HSV2 than by HSV1, which reaffirm the importance of laboratory confirmation of clinical diagnosis. Aims: Retrospective study of the role of HSV1 and HSV2 infections in genital ulcerations from a population of a Sexually Transmitted Diseases Outpatient Clinic, according to epidemiological, laboratory and clinical data. Methodology: 56 ulcer genital/urethral swabs from patients suspected of HSV infection were sent to the National Institute of Health (NIH), in Lisbon, between April 2015–April 2016. HSV1 and HSV2 were determined by a quantitative commercial real-time PCR kit, which targets a fragment of 162 bp of a region located in the US7 gene for HSV1 and a fragment of 177 bp of a region located in the US2 gene for HSV2. The 56 swabs were also inoculated in Vero cell cultures for determination of cytopathic effect. Results: HSV infection in genital/urethral swabs were detected in 30 (53.6%) of 56 samples. The symptoms of the positive cases were genital ulcerations in vulva or penis and/or perineum and the clinical diagnosis was genital herpes infection. In 7 of the 30 positive cases (23.3%) HSV1 DNA was detected (2 man and 5 women with age ranges between 17 and 27 years old); and in 23 of the 30 positive cases (76.7%) HSV2 DNA was detected (18 man and 5 women, with age ranges between 17 and 62 years old). Five of the 7 HSV1 positive cases were primoinfections (71.4%) and in the 23 HSV2 positive cases, 3 (13.0%) were primoinfections and 8 (34.8%) were the first ulcer episode but not primoinfections. HSV DNA viral load values varied between 21848–87474493 cop/ml in HSV1 cases and between 1177– 31160846336 cop/ml in HSV2 cases. We didn’t find direct correlation between viral load and primary vs recurrent infection although the higher viral load was found in HSV2 first episode cases. Cytophatic effect was observed in all positive PCR cases. All positive cases were treated with valacyclovir and resolved after treatment. Comments: To identify HSV genital infections is important for the specific treatment, for preventing the transmission of HSV to partners, and to prevent the risk of acquiring and transmitting HIV. In our study 53.6% cases were positive for HSV genital infection; because of social, demographic and migratory tendency, the population at risk for STI continues to grow and experience an increased burden of disease. We also observed in this population an increasing proportion of HSV1 genital primoinfection, which is in accordance to the literature. In the present study we confirmed the usefulness of real-time PCR for HSV DNA detection in genital ulcerations. Concerning the correlation of viral load with subtype, the differences should be further evaluated with an increase number of clinical cases.N/

Molecular studies on HSV: replication rate, infection capacity and progeny

Introduction: In the last years genital herpes has emerged as one of the most prevalent sexually transmitted infections. Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is the most common cause of genital ulcer disease, with infections caused by both sub-types HSV-1 and HSV-2. A better understanding of the virus replication cycle is relevant to the pathogenesis of human diseases and is essential for the development of antiviral chemotherapy. Objectives: We aimed to shed some light on the HSV-1 and HSV-2 infectious cycle, namely their capacity of infection, replication rate and progeny, in three distinct cell lines (Vero, Vero E6 and HeLa229). We also aimed to evaluate whether the concentration of virus has any influence on the degree of the infection. Methodology: Preliminary assays were performed in order to understand which cellular concentration, viral load, nutrients’ availability and inoculation modus operandi (centrifugation versus agitation) best mimic the HSV infection. Confluent cell monolayers were infected with two HSV-2 and two HSV-1 at MOIs of 1:10, 1:1, 10:1 and 100:1. Inoculations were performed in parallel in two 24-well plates, one for quantitative real-time PCR (kPCR) and one for immunofluorescence assays, which were incubated for 30 hours at 37ºC and 5% CO2. At different times-points of infection (6, 12, 18, 24 and 30 hours p.i.), the wells were scratched for kPCR and the slides were stained with monoclonal antibodies. For kPCR assays, appropriate standard curves were generated by serial diluting plasmids cloned with HSV-1 and HSV-2 single copy genes. Results and Conclusions: Preliminary assays showed that, regardless of the viral load, it takes approximately 23 hours for the virus to complete the infectious cycle taking into account that no replication is observed after this time point. Considering the comparison between the two inoculation procedures (centrifugation versus agitation), we only observed relevant differences for lower viral loads, with centrifugation yielding more viral progeny. More specific data regarding both the HSV-1 and HSV-2 replication capacity for different MOIs are currently under evaluation.N/

Orogenital and anal infection by <i>Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Mycoplasma genitalium</i>, and other sexually transmitted infections in men who have sex with men in Lisbon

Background Men who have sex with men (MSM) are at risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), but more data on extragenital carriage are needed. Aim We assessed the genital and extragenital prevalence of bacterial and other STIs in MSM in a Lisbon sexual health clinic. Methods We screened oral, anal, and urine samples of MSM visiting the GAT-CheckpointLX clinic June 2017-December 2021 for Chlamydia trachomatis (including lymphogranuloma venereum, LGV), Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Mycoplasma genitalium, Trichomonas vaginalis, Mycoplasma hominis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, and U. parvum. Ano-oro-genital lesions were tested for LGV, Treponema pallidum, and Herpes Simplex Virus. Blood was tested for HIV and T. pallidum antibodies. Results N. gonorrhoeae was found in 16.6% of the MSM followed by C. trachomatis (13.2%), M. genitalium (10.3%) and T. vaginalis (0.2%). The most frequent occurrence was anorectal (C. trachomatis, M. genitalium) and oral (N. gonorrhoeae). We found high carriage of U. urealyticum (36.1%) and M. hominis (22.1%). LGV was detected in 21.8% of chlamydia-positive anorectal swabs. Syphilis was detected in 22.6% of tested MSM, while 13.8% had HIV. Gonorrhoea and chlamydia were significantly more prevalent in MSM with concomitant HIV or syphilis. Conclusion The substantial extragenital prevalence of bacterial STIs in MSM, and HIV and syphilis coinfections, suggest screening has value in identifying hidden carriage and in contributing for providing better care

Epidemiologia e origem do HTLV-I em Salvador Estado da Bahia: a cidade com a mais elevada prevalência desta infecção no Brasil

Submitted by Ana Maria Fiscina Sampaio ([email protected]) on 2014-07-15T16:09:39Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Castro Filho BG Epidemiologia e origem....pdf: 348649 bytes, checksum: 32f7aeaea0123c373b0c1750e93f6102 (MD5)Made available in DSpace on 2014-07-15T16:09:39Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Castro Filho BG Epidemiologia e origem....pdf: 348649 bytes, checksum: 32f7aeaea0123c373b0c1750e93f6102 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz. Salvador, BA, Brasil / Escola Bahiana de Medicina e Saúde Pública. Salvador, Ba, BrasilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz. Salvador, BA, Brasil / Escola Bahiana de Medicina e Saúde Pública. Salvador, Ba, BrasilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz. Salvador, BA, Brasil / Escola Bahiana de Medicina e Saúde Pública. Salvador, Ba, BrasilEscola Bahiana de Medicina e Saúde Pública. Salvador, Ba, BrasilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz. Salvador, BA, BrasilEscola Bahiana de Medicina e Saúde Pública. Salvador, Ba, BrasilHospital São Rafael. Salvador, BA, BrasilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz. Salvador, BA, BrasilEscola Bahiana de Medicina e Saúde Pública. Salvador, Ba, BrasilUniversidade Federal da Bahia. Faculdade de Medicina. Salvador, BA, BrasilEscola Bahiana de Medicina e Saúde Pública. Salvador, Ba, Brasil / Universidade Federal da Bahia. Escola de Farmácia. Salvador, BA, BrasilUniversidade Federal da Bahia. Instituto de Saúde Coletiva. Salvador, BA, BrasilA cidade de Salvador, Bahia apresenta a mais elevada prevalência de HTLV-I no Brasil. Esta prevalência é maior em mulheres, aumenta com a idade consideravelmente nos indivíduos com mais de 51 anos (8,4%) e é maior naqueles com baixa condição socioeconômica. Salvador tem uma população de 3 milhões de habitantes sendo que 80% são afro descendentes. A maioria dos africanos que veio para esta cidade, durante o tráfico de escravos, foi originária do Oeste da África (Benin, Nigéria, Norte de Angola).A análise filogenética da região LTR demonstrou que as seqüências estudadas eram do subtipo Cosmopolita (a), subgrupo Transcontimental (A). Estes resultados são discordantes em relação aos dados históricos que indicam que a maioria dos africanos que veio para Salvador foi originária do oeste da África onde somente circula o subgrupo Oeste da África (C). Algumas seqüências do HTLV-I se agrupavam em um grupo da America Latina que continha seqüências da África do Sul. Este grupo da America Latina era segregado a partir de um mesmo ancestral do outro grupo que continha uma seqüência da África Central. Esta relação de ancestralidade sugere que este subgrupo foi inicialmente introduzido na África do Sul devido a migração de uma população Banto da África Central para o Sul da África há cerca de 3000 anos e após para o Brasil durante o tráfico de escravos no período compreendido entre os séculos XVI e XVII. Nossos dados corroboram a hipótese de que ocorreram múltiplas introduções do HTLV-I em Salvador na era pós-colombianaThe city of Salvador, in the Bahia state, has the highest prevalence of HTLV-I in Brazil. This prevalence is higher in female and it is associated with age, increasing substantially among those older than 51 years (8.4%), and is greater among those with lower income, less education and worse living conditions. The population of Salvador is estimated at 3 million and approximately 80% of which have African ethnic ancestry. Most Africans brought to Salvador; Bahia during the slave trade came from West Africa (Benin, Nigeria, and northern Angola). Phylogenetic analysis of the LTR region demonstrated that all sequences analyzed belong to the Transcontinental (A) subgroup of the Cosmopolitan (a) subtype. These results are not in agreement to historical data that affirms the vast majority of African brought to Salvador came from West Africa, where only the western African subgroup (C) has been found. Some HTLV-I sequences formed a well-supported clade within one of the Latin American clusters that contain a South African sequence. This Latin American cluster that segregated from the same ancestor as the other clade contained a Central African sequence. This ancestral relationship suggests that this subgroup was first introduced into South Africa as a result of the migration of the Bantu population from Central Africa to Southern Africa over the past 3000 years, and afterward to Brazil during the slave trade between the sixteenth and nineteenth centuries. Our data support the hypothesis of multiple post-Columbian introductions of African HTLV-I strains in Salvador, Bahia