A year of genomic surveillance reveals how the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic unfolded in Africa.

The progression of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic in Africa has so far been heterogeneous, and the full impact is not yet well understood. In this study, we describe the genomic epidemiology using a dataset of 8746 genomes from 33 African countries and two overseas territories. We show that the epidemics in most countries were initiated by importations predominantly from Europe, which diminished after the early introduction of international travel restrictions. As the pandemic progressed, ongoing transmission in many countries and increasing mobility led to the emergence and spread within the continent of many variants of concern and interest, such as B.1.351, B.1.525, A.23.1, and C.1.1. Although distorted by low sampling numbers and blind spots, the findings highlight that Africa must not be left behind in the global pandemic response, otherwise it could become a source for new variants

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

Microstructure and flow properties of lyophilized mango pulp with maltodextrin

ABSTRACT The present study had as objective to determine the flow properties and behavior of lyophilized mango pulp powder as a function of different concentrations of maltodextrin. In the samples of the powders contain 5, 10 and 15% of maltodextrin the angle of effective internal friction, wall friction angle, flow index and bulk density were determined. The microstructure was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy. The freeze-dried samples are characterized as having an amorphous structure, and the drying aid used modified the surface of the particles. The flow index was 3.19, 4.28 and 4.53 for samples containing, respectively, 5, 10 and 15% maltodextrin. Increasing the concentration of maltodextrin in the mango pulp decreased the effective angles of internal friction and wall friction. The bulk density of the powders increased with increasing concentration of maltodextrin for the samples containing 5, 10 and 15% of the maltodextrin, being equal to 597.8, 689.8 and 691.3 kg m-3, respectively. Thus, it was concluded that the addition of maltodextrin modified the shape of the particles, decreased segregation, affected the flow properties of the mango powders, facilitating flow and increasing their bulk density

O pequeno grupo "Oficina de Capoeira" no contexto da reforma psiquiátrica The small "Capoeira Workshop" group in the context of psychiatric reform

A Oficina de Capoeira nasceu a partir da necessidade de inter-relação entre o Hospital Psiquiátrico São Pedro e a Vila São Pedro, haja vista a construção dos Serviços Residenciais Terapêuticos em parte da área territorial da vila. Composta de moradores da vila e usuários do hospital, esta oficina foi escolhida como objeto de estudo devido a sua singularidade, diversidade e contextualização na reforma psiquiátrica. Este estudo objetiva esclarecer como se produz e se organiza o sistema Pequeno Grupo Oficina de Capoeira, utilizando como principal referencial o Paradigma da Complexidade de Edgar Morin. As informações foram registradas a partir de observações e anotações em diário de campo. Participaram da pesquisa os sujeitos que constituíram a Oficina de Capoeira. Esta proposta nos sugere outras possibilidades de intervenção em pequenos grupos no contexto da reforma psiquiátrica. Todavia, precisamos viver a heterogeneidade e a incerteza do sistema como possibilidade de produção de sujeitos criativos.<br>The Capoeira workshop was formed from the need to strengthen the relationship between the Hospital Psiquiátrico São Pedro and the Vila São Pedro neighborhood, considering the construction of the Residential Therapeutic Services unit in the neighborhood. Composed of local residents and users of the hospital, the workshop was chosen as an object of study due to its uniqueness, its diversity and for the way it places psychiatric reform in context. The study aimed to understand how the small Capoeira Workshop group is produced and organized. The principal theoretical reference for the study was the Complexity Paradigm of Edgar Morin. The data was collected from observations and notations in a field notebook. Study participants included the subjects who composed the Capoeira Workshop. This created other possibilities for intervention in small groups in the context of psychiatric reform. Nevertheless, we need to experience the heterogeneity and the uncertainty of the system as a possibility for the production of creative subjects

Pequenos grupos informais nas instituições: exercício da cidadania e da dimensão instituinte Small informal groups in institution: citizenship practices and ongoing processes of institutional development

Este relatório de pesquisa apresenta um estudo desenvolvido na rede de grupos informais realizados no campus central da PUCRS. São considerados grupos informais os constituídos pelas necessidades, pelos desejos e/ou motivação de seus membros e não demandados pelas rotinas administrativas, de pesquisa ou do ensino da universidade. A pesquisa teve um delineamento misto. Participaram alguns coordenadores e componentes dos grupos. Os resultados indicam que são reconhecidos os grupos pela comunidade interna e externa à PUCRS como um método/caminho que acolhe, viabiliza e potencializa desejos, necessidades e metas dos participantes. Estes instituem uma organização que se articula com os organizadores formais da PUCRS, viabilizando a continuidade da vida coletiva. Os grupos são coordenados por líderes que o fazem com eficácia, sem um conhecimento teórico específico para tanto, e o significado do grupo é dar sentido à vida das pessoas que fazem parte dele.<br>This paper presents a study developed in meetings held by informal groups at the central campus of PUCRS. Informal groups are those that consider necessities, wants and/or motivations of their members. They are not demanded by any management, research or teaching routines of the university. This research has a combined design, involving coordinators and some participants of those groups. The results have indicated that the groups are acknowledged by both the internal and the external communities as a means/path to user embracement make viable and potentiates their members' wants, needs and aims. The members institute a group organization that is articulated with PUCRS' formal managers to make the continuity of collective life viable. The results have also pointed out that the groups are effectively coordinated by leaders that do not have a specific theoretical knowledge for that, and that the meaning of the group is to make their members' lives meaningful