The potential impact of PM2.5 on the covid-19 crisis in the Brazilian Amazon region

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess covid-19 morbidity, mortality, and severity from 2020 to 2021 in five Brazilian Amazon states with the highest records of wildfires. METHODS: A distributed lag non-linear model was applied to estimate the potential exposure risk association with particulate matter smaller than 2.5-μm in diameter (PM2.5). Daily mean temperature, relative humidity, percentual of community mobility, number of hospital beds, days of the week, and holidays were considered in the final models for controlling the confounding factors. RESULTS: The states of Para, Mato Grosso, and Amazonas have reported the highest values of overall cases, deaths, and severe cases of covid-19. The worrying growth in the percentual rates in 2020/2021 for the incidence, severity, and mortality were highlighted in Rondônia and Mato Grosso. The growth in 2020/2021 in the estimations of PM2.5 concentrations was higher in Mato Grosso, with an increase of 24.4%, followed by Rondônia (14.9%). CONCLUSION: This study establishes an association between wildfire-generated PM2.5 and increasing covid-19 incidence, mortality, and severity within the studied area. The findings showed that the risk of covid-19 morbidity and mortality is nearly two times higher among individuals exposed to high concentrations of PM2.5. The attributable fraction to PM2.5 in the studied area represents an important role in the risk associated with covid-19 in the Brazilian Amazon region

Early type 2 diabetes and obesity does not affect eicosanoids level and renal morphology in a rat model/ Diabetes tipo 2 no estágio inicial e obesidade não afetam o nível de eicosanóides e a morfologia renal em um modelo de rato

This study evaluated the effects of the early development of Diabetes Mellitus 2 (T2D) and diet-induced Obesity in the eicosanoid pathways and its effects on renal tissue. Thirty male Wistar rats were fed with a high-fat or standard diet and were divided into 3 groups: The Control group received a standard diet, the T2D group received a high-fat diet and a single dose of streptozotocin (25mg/Kg) and the Obesity group received high-fat diet. Caloric intake, feed efficiency, body weight gain, visceral fat, blood glucose, plasma levels of 14,15 EET/DHET, 20-HETE, and kidneys’ morphology were analyzed. Total caloric intake and feed efficiency were higher in the animals of the Obesity group than in Control.  Body weight gain, visceral fat, and blood glucose were higher in Obesity and T2D induced groups than in Control. Body weight gain, visceral fat, and feed efficiency associated positively with blood glucose. However, there was no difference in 14,15 EET/DHET, 20-HETE levels, or kidney injury between groups. In conclusion, we were unable to assess whether changes in eicosanoids are due to obesity or diabetes induction. So, this study suggests that longer periods of homeostatic disturbance caused by these protocols seem to be necessary to induce complications related to the disruption of the eicosanoid’s pathway and its effects on renal tissue.

Educação a curto prazo e sua influência sobre a saúde de mulheres obesas / Short term education and its influence on the health of obese women

Introdução: A obesidade é uma condição crônica que se relaciona a um desequilíbrio entre a ingestão e o gasto energético. Se destaca como um dos maiores problemas de saúde pública, pois configura como fator de risco para mortalidade e diversas morbidades. Estima-se que 13% da população adulta mundial esteja obesa e os recentes esforços para conter essa epidemia esbarram na sua complexidade e multifatoriedade etiológica. Por isso, é certo admitir que são necessárias implicações para a definição das prioridades e estratégias de ação, especialmente no que tange a promoção da saúde dos indivíduos obesos. Objetivo: Avaliar o efeito de um programa educativo em saúde sobre variáveis antropométricas, bioquímicas e comportamentais de mulheres com obesidade tipo I e II. Metodologia: O estudo teve início após aprovação pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa. 43 mulheres foram inscritas para participar da pesquisa e após aplicação dos critérios de inclusão e não inclusão, 32 foram alocadas para compor dois grupos, um controle e outro experimental. Obteve-se os dados de interesse (ficha de identificação, índice de massa corporal; circunferência da cintura; concentração plasmática de colesterol, insulina, triglicerídeos, glicemia; Inventário de Ansiedade Traço/Estado; Questionário de Comportamento Alimentar e Escala de Satisfação com a Vida) nos momentos pré e pós intervenção. As atividades do Programa Educativo Para Emagrecimento eram realizadas uma vez por semana, por uma hora e abordava mudanças comportamentais, aumento do gasto calórico e reeducação alimentar, principalmente através de dinâmicas em grupo e palestras educativas. Completado dez semanas e após aplicação dos critérios de exclusão, terminaram todas as etapas, oito mulheres no grupo controle e dez no experimental. A normalidade dos dados foi verificada pelo teste de Kolmogorov Smirnov. Para comparação entre momentos, foi utilizado o Teste t pareado. O nível de significância foi ajustado para p ≤ 0,05. Resultados: Foi observado que o programa educativo teve um impacto significativo nas variáveis antropométricas do grupo experimental, antes e após intervenção. Para o índice de massa corpórea a diferença média foi de 0,66 kg/m2 (IC95% 0,13 a 1,19; p = 0,01) e para a circunferência da cintura foi de 3,75 cm (IC:95% 1,72 a 5,77; p= 0,00).  Com relação às variáveis antropométricas do grupo controle e as comportamentais e bioquímicas de ambos os grupos, o programa não influenciou significativamente. Conclusões: Devido ao impacto significante nos dados antropométricos obtidos, seu baixo custo, abrangência e com ações direcionadas para as reais necessidades de mulheres com obesidade, a educação em saúde pode ser um método escolhido para se atingir o sucesso terapêutico

Caminhos para o Diagnóstico Precoce: Biomarcadores Neurogenéticos na Doença de Alzheimer.

This paper proposes a literature review on neurogenetic biomarkers in Alzheimer's disease (AD), highlighting their fundamental role in early diagnosis and understanding of the disease's pathogenesis. The analysis covers the identification of specific genetic variants, such as those in the TOMM40 gene, and polymorphisms identified through genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Additionally, the differential expression of genes associated with AD in early stages offers a unique opportunity for more effective therapeutic interventions. Despite advances, challenges such as external validation and genetic variability are crucial. The neurogenetic approach represents progress in understanding the genetic heterogeneity in AD, providing a foundation for future research. The abstract highlights the promising implications of neurogenetic biomarkers and emphasizes the importance of ethical and social awareness.Este trabalho propõe uma revisão de literatura sobre biomarcadores neurogenéticos na doença de Alzheimer (DA), destacando seu papel fundamental no diagnóstico precoce e na compreensão da patogênese da doença. A análise abrange a identificação de variantes genéticas específicas, como aquelas no gene TOMM40, e polimorfismos identificados por meio de estudos de associação genômica ampla (GWAS). Além disso, a expressão diferencial de genes associados à DA em estágios iniciais oferece uma oportunidade única para intervenções terapêuticas mais eficazes. Apesar dos avanços, desafios como a validação externa e a variabilidade genética são cruciais. A abordagem neurogenética representa um avanço na compreensão da heterogeneidade genética na DA, fornecendo uma base para pesquisas futuras. O resumo destaca as implicações promissoras dos biomarcadores neurogenéticos e destaca a importância da conscientização ética e social

Desafios e Implicações do Uso de Psicoestimulantes entre Estudantes: Uma Análise Crítica da Literatura

This paper presents a literature review on the use of psycho stimulants by college students. Through a comprehensive analysis of scientific articles, the prevalence, motivations, consequences, and trends of this behavior were investigated. The results highlight the significant prevalence of non-medical use of psycho stimulants among college students, as well as the varied motivations behind this behavior, including the pursuit of academic performance enhancement. However, risks to physical and mental health, as well as ethical and academic concerns associated with the use of these substances, were also identified. This work emphasizes the importance of comprehensive, evidence-based approaches to prevent and reduce non-medical use of psycho stimulants among college students, aiming to promote a healthy and safe academic environment.Este trabalho apresenta uma revisão da literatura sobre o uso de psicoestimulantes por estudantes universitários. Através de uma análise abrangente de artigos científicos, foram investigadas a prevalência, motivações, consequências e tendências desse comportamento. Os resultados destacam a prevalência significativa do uso não médico de psicoestimulantes entre estudantes universitários, bem como as motivações variadas que levam a esse comportamento, incluindo a busca por melhoria do desempenho acadêmico. No entanto, também foram identificados riscos à saúde física e mental, bem como preocupações éticas e acadêmicas associadas ao uso dessas substâncias. Este trabalho ressalta a importância de abordagens abrangentes e baseadas em evidências para prevenir e reduzir o uso não médico de psicoestimulantes entre estudantes universitários, visando promover um ambiente acadêmico saudável e seguro

Estimación de la concentración media diaria de material particulado fino en la región del Complejo Industrial y Portuario de Pecém, Ceará, Brasil

A exposição ao material particulado fino (MP2,5) está associada a inúmeros desfechos à saúde. Desta forma, monitoramento da concentração ambiental do MP2,5 é importante, especialmente em áreas amplamente industrializadas, pois abrigam potenciais emissores do MP2,5 e de substâncias com potencial de aumentar a toxicidade de partículas já suspensas. O objetivo desta pesquisa é estimar a concentração diária do MP2,5 em três áreas de influência do Complexo Industrial e Portuário do Pecém (CIPP), Ceará, Brasil. Foi aplicado um modelo de regressão não linear para a estimativa do MP2,5, por meio de dados de profundidade óptica monitorados por satélite. As estimativas foram realizadas em três áreas de influência (Ai) do CIPP (São Gonçalo do Amarante – Ai I, Paracuru e Paraipaba – Ai II e Caucaia – Ai III, no período de 2006 a 2017. As médias anuais das concentrações estimadas foram inferiores ao estabelecido pela legislação nacional em todas as Ai (8µg m-3). Em todas as Ai, os meses referentes ao período de seca (setembro a fevereiro) apresentaram as maiores concentrações e uma predominância de ventos leste para oeste. Os meses que compreendem o período de chuva (março a agosto) apresentaram as menores concentrações e ventos menos definidos. As condições meteorológicas podem exercer um papel importante nos processos de remoção, dispersão ou manutenção das concentrações do material particulado na região. Mesmo com baixas concentrações estimadas, é importante avaliar a constituição das partículas finas dessa região, bem como sua possível associação a efeitos adversos à saúde da população local.Exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is associated with numerous negative health outcomes. Thus, monitoring the environmental concentration of PM2.5 is important, especially in heavily industrialized areas, since they harbor potential emitters of PM2.5 and substances with the potential to increase the toxicity of already suspended particles. This study aims to estimate daily concentrations of PM2.5 in three areas under the influence of the Industrial and Port Complex of Pecém (CIPP), Ceará State, Brazil. A nonlinear regression model was applied to estimate PM2.5, using satellitemonitored optical depth data. Estimates were performed in three areas of influence (Ai) of the CIPP (São Gonçalo do Amarante – AiI, Paracuru and Paraipaba – AiII, and Caucaia – AiIII), from 2006 to 2017. Estimated mean annual concentrations were lower than established by Brazil’s national legislation in all three Ai (8µg m-³). In all the Ai, the months of the dry season (September to February) showed the highest concentrations and a predominance of east winds, while the months of the rainy season (March to August) showed the lowest concentrations and less defined winds Weather conditions can play an important role in the removal, dispersal, or maintenance of concentrations of particulate matter in the region. Even at low estimated concentrations, it is important to assess the composition of fine participles in this region and their possible association with adverse health outcomes in the local population.La exposición al material particulado fino (MP2,5) está asociada a innumerables problemas de salud. Por ello, la supervisión de la concentración ambiental del MP2,5 es importante, especialmente en áreas ampliamente industrializadas, puesto que albergan potenciales emisores de MP2,5 y de sustancias con potencial de aumentar la toxicidad de partículas ya suspendidas. El objetivo de esta investigación es estimar la concentración diaria del MP2,5 en tres áreas de influencia del Complejo Industrial y Portuario de Pecém (CIPP), Ceará, Brasil. Se aplicó un modelo de regresión no lineal para la estimación del MP2,5, mediante datos de profundidad óptica supervisados por satélite. Las estimaciones fueron realizadas en tres áreas de influencia (Ai) del CIPP (São Gonçalo do Amarante – Ai I, Paracuru y Paraipaba – Ai II y Caucaia – Ai III en el período de 2006 a 2017. Las medias anuales de las concentraciones estimadas fueron inferiores a lo establecido por la legislación nacional en todas las Ai (8µg m-³). En todas las Ai, los meses referentes al período de sequía (de setiembre a febrero) presentaron las mayores concentraciones y una predominancia de vientos este a oeste, los meses que comprenden el período de lluvia (marzo a agosto) presentaron las menores concentraciones y vientos menos definidos. Las condiciones meteorológicas pueden ejercer un papel importante en los procesos de eliminación, dispersión o mantenimiento de las concentraciones del material particulado en la región. Incluso con bajas concentraciones estimadas es importante que se evalúe la constitución de las partículas finas de esta región, así como su posible asociación con efectos adversos para la salud de la población local

Patologias atuais: a compulsão e a sociedade dos excessos: Current pathologies: compulsion and the society of excesses

O artigo em tela tem por objetivo analisar os aspectos biopsicossociais da conduta compulsiva de consumo. Propõe-se a apresentar os elementos psicológicos contidos nesse comportamento, além de verificar quais são os resultados decorrentes dessa compulsão. O consumo compulsivo, também chamado de oniomania, é um transtorno causado pela ansiedade despertada pela necessidade de comprar e saciada, somente, quando é materializada a aquisição daquilo que se deseja comprar. O estudo em questão pode ser classificado como sendo de cunho bibliográfico, a partir da análise de documentos publicados em forma de artigos científicos e livros em formato digital

Global, regional, and national burden of disorders affecting the nervous system, 1990–2021: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

BACKGROUND: Disorders affecting the nervous system are diverse and include neurodevelopmental disorders, late-life neurodegeneration, and newly emergent conditions, such as cognitive impairment following COVID-19. Previous publications from the Global Burden of Disease, Injuries, and Risk Factor Study estimated the burden of 15 neurological conditions in 2015 and 2016, but these analyses did not include neurodevelopmental disorders, as defined by the International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-11, or a subset of cases of congenital, neonatal, and infectious conditions that cause neurological damage. Here, we estimate nervous system health loss caused by 37 unique conditions and their associated risk factors globally, regionally, and nationally from 1990 to 2021. METHODS: We estimated mortality, prevalence, years lived with disability (YLDs), years of life lost (YLLs), and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), with corresponding 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs), by age and sex in 204 countries and territories, from 1990 to 2021. We included morbidity and deaths due to neurological conditions, for which health loss is directly due to damage to the CNS or peripheral nervous system. We also isolated neurological health loss from conditions for which nervous system morbidity is a consequence, but not the primary feature, including a subset of congenital conditions (ie, chromosomal anomalies and congenital birth defects), neonatal conditions (ie, jaundice, preterm birth, and sepsis), infectious diseases (ie, COVID-19, cystic echinococcosis, malaria, syphilis, and Zika virus disease), and diabetic neuropathy. By conducting a sequela-level analysis of the health outcomes for these conditions, only cases where nervous system damage occurred were included, and YLDs were recalculated to isolate the non-fatal burden directly attributable to nervous system health loss. A comorbidity correction was used to calculate total prevalence of all conditions that affect the nervous system combined. FINDINGS: Globally, the 37 conditions affecting the nervous system were collectively ranked as the leading group cause of DALYs in 2021 (443 million, 95% UI 378–521), affecting 3·40 billion (3·20–3·62) individuals (43·1%, 40·5–45·9 of the global population); global DALY counts attributed to these conditions increased by 18·2% (8·7–26·7) between 1990 and 2021. Age-standardised rates of deaths per 100 000 people attributed to these conditions decreased from 1990 to 2021 by 33·6% (27·6–38·8), and age-standardised rates of DALYs attributed to these conditions decreased by 27·0% (21·5–32·4). Age-standardised prevalence was almost stable, with a change of 1·5% (0·7–2·4). The ten conditions with the highest age-standardised DALYs in 2021 were stroke, neonatal encephalopathy, migraine, Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, diabetic neuropathy, meningitis, epilepsy, neurological complications due to preterm birth, autism spectrum disorder, and nervous system cancer. INTERPRETATION: As the leading cause of overall disease burden in the world, with increasing global DALY counts, effective prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation strategies for disorders affecting the nervous system are needed

ATLANTIC EPIPHYTES: a data set of vascular and non-vascular epiphyte plants and lichens from the Atlantic Forest

Epiphytes are hyper-diverse and one of the frequently undervalued life forms in plant surveys and biodiversity inventories. Epiphytes of the Atlantic Forest, one of the most endangered ecosystems in the world, have high endemism and radiated recently in the Pliocene. We aimed to (1) compile an extensive Atlantic Forest data set on vascular, non-vascular plants (including hemiepiphytes), and lichen epiphyte species occurrence and abundance; (2) describe the epiphyte distribution in the Atlantic Forest, in order to indicate future sampling efforts. Our work presents the first epiphyte data set with information on abundance and occurrence of epiphyte phorophyte species. All data compiled here come from three main sources provided by the authors: published sources (comprising peer-reviewed articles, books, and theses), unpublished data, and herbarium data. We compiled a data set composed of 2,095 species, from 89,270 holo/hemiepiphyte records, in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay, recorded from 1824 to early 2018. Most of the records were from qualitative data (occurrence only, 88%), well distributed throughout the Atlantic Forest. For quantitative records, the most common sampling method was individual trees (71%), followed by plot sampling (19%), and transect sampling (10%). Angiosperms (81%) were the most frequently registered group, and Bromeliaceae and Orchidaceae were the families with the greatest number of records (27,272 and 21,945, respectively). Ferns and Lycophytes presented fewer records than Angiosperms, and Polypodiaceae were the most recorded family, and more concentrated in the Southern and Southeastern regions. Data on non-vascular plants and lichens were scarce, with a few disjunct records concentrated in the Northeastern region of the Atlantic Forest. For all non-vascular plant records, Lejeuneaceae, a family of liverworts, was the most recorded family. We hope that our effort to organize scattered epiphyte data help advance the knowledge of epiphyte ecology, as well as our understanding of macroecological and biogeographical patterns in the Atlantic Forest. No copyright restrictions are associated with the data set. Please cite this Ecology Data Paper if the data are used in publication and teaching events. © 2019 The Authors. Ecology © 2019 The Ecological Society of Americ

Global, regional, and national burden of disorders affecting the nervous system, 1990–2021: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

BackgroundDisorders affecting the nervous system are diverse and include neurodevelopmental disorders, late-life neurodegeneration, and newly emergent conditions, such as cognitive impairment following COVID-19. Previous publications from the Global Burden of Disease, Injuries, and Risk Factor Study estimated the burden of 15 neurological conditions in 2015 and 2016, but these analyses did not include neurodevelopmental disorders, as defined by the International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-11, or a subset of cases of congenital, neonatal, and infectious conditions that cause neurological damage. Here, we estimate nervous system health loss caused by 37 unique conditions and their associated risk factors globally, regionally, and nationally from 1990 to 2021.MethodsWe estimated mortality, prevalence, years lived with disability (YLDs), years of life lost (YLLs), and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), with corresponding 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs), by age and sex in 204 countries and territories, from 1990 to 2021. We included morbidity and deaths due to neurological conditions, for which health loss is directly due to damage to the CNS or peripheral nervous system. We also isolated neurological health loss from conditions for which nervous system morbidity is a consequence, but not the primary feature, including a subset of congenital conditions (ie, chromosomal anomalies and congenital birth defects), neonatal conditions (ie, jaundice, preterm birth, and sepsis), infectious diseases (ie, COVID-19, cystic echinococcosis, malaria, syphilis, and Zika virus disease), and diabetic neuropathy. By conducting a sequela-level analysis of the health outcomes for these conditions, only cases where nervous system damage occurred were included, and YLDs were recalculated to isolate the non-fatal burden directly attributable to nervous system health loss. A comorbidity correction was used to calculate total prevalence of all conditions that affect the nervous system combined.FindingsGlobally, the 37 conditions affecting the nervous system were collectively ranked as the leading group cause of DALYs in 2021 (443 million, 95% UI 378–521), affecting 3·40 billion (3·20–3·62) individuals (43·1%, 40·5–45·9 of the global population); global DALY counts attributed to these conditions increased by 18·2% (8·7–26·7) between 1990 and 2021. Age-standardised rates of deaths per 100 000 people attributed to these conditions decreased from 1990 to 2021 by 33·6% (27·6–38·8), and age-standardised rates of DALYs attributed to these conditions decreased by 27·0% (21·5–32·4). Age-standardised prevalence was almost stable, with a change of 1·5% (0·7–2·4). The ten conditions with the highest age-standardised DALYs in 2021 were stroke, neonatal encephalopathy, migraine, Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, diabetic neuropathy, meningitis, epilepsy, neurological complications due to preterm birth, autism spectrum disorder, and nervous system cancer.InterpretationAs the leading cause of overall disease burden in the world, with increasing global DALY counts, effective prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation strategies for disorders affecting the nervous system are needed