Spatial analysis of the natural infection index for Triatomines and the risk of Chagas disease transmission in Northeastern Brazil

This study aimed to analyze the spatial pattern of natural infection index (NII) for triatomines and the risk of Chagas disease transmission in an endemic area of Northeastern Brazil. An ecological study was conducted, based on 184 municipalities in five mesoregions. The NII for triatomines was evaluated in the Pernambuco State, Brazil, from 2016 to 2018. Spatial autocorrelations were evaluated using Global Moran Index (I) and Local Moran Index (II) and were considered positive when I > 0 and p < 0.05, respectively. In total, 7,302 triatomines belonging to seven different species were detected. Triatoma brasiliensis had the highest frequency (53%; n = 3,844), followed by Triatoma pseudomaculata (25%; n = 1,828) and Panstrongylus lutzi (18.5%; n=1,366). The overall NII was 12%, and the higher NII values were P. lutzi (21%) and Panstrongylus megistus (18%). In the mesoregions of Zona da Mata, Agreste, Sertao, and Sertao do Sao Francisco, 93% of triatomines were detected indoors. The global spatial autocorrelation of I to NII was positive (0.2; p = 0.01), and II values calculated using BoxMap, MoranMap, Lisa Cluster Map were statistically significant for natural infections. With regard to the risk areas for the presence of triatomines, Zone 2 (the Agreste and Sertao regions) presented a relative risk of 3.65 compared to other areas in the state. Our study shows the potential areas of vector transmission of Chagas disease. In this study, the application of different methods of spatial analysis made it possible to locate these areas, which would not have been identified by only applying epidemiological indicators

Chondrocranium and internal oral morphology of the tadpole of Corythomantis greeningi (Anura: Hylidae)

Corythomantis greeningi é uma perereca-de-cabeça-ossificada que ocorre em regiões xéricas e sub-úmidas do nordeste do Brasil. Frequentemente os indivíduos são encontrados sobre as rochas às margens de riachos temporários ou em acúmulos de água nos “lajedos”. Girinos suctoriais muitas vezes são encontrados aderidos às rochas dos riachos para não serem carreados pelas correntes e por isso, apresentam morfologia externa e interna muito particulares. Aqui, descrevemos a anatomia oral interna e o condrocrânio do girino de C. greeningi e comparamos com as descrições disponíveis de representantes da subfamília Lophyohylinae e outros girinos suctoriais. A morfologia oral interna em C. greeningi assemelha-se aos girinos dos demais sapos de cabeça ossificada que se desenvolvem em poça, apesar deste ter sido encontrado em ambiente temporário lótico. Corythomantis greeningi tem uma morfologia condrocranial particular em relação aos outros Lophyohylinae descritos, apresentando marcadas diferenças nos cornua trabeculae e palatoquadrate. Aparentemente, a morfologia do condrocrânio está mais relacionada a aspectos ecomorfológicos, pois é estruturalmente mais semelhante a outros girinos suctoriais que habitam ambientes lóticos do que com espécies filogeneticamente mais próximas, como Trachycephalus typhonius and Phyllodytes gyrinaethesCorythomantis greeningi is a casque-headed frog that occurs in xeric and sub-humid regions of northeastern Brazil. Individuals are often found on rocks on banks of temporary streams or in ponds upon “lajedos”. Suctorial tadpoles are often found clasping to the rocks in the streams so as not to be dragged by the current; therefore, they have modified external and internal morphology. Here, we describe the internal oral anatomy and the chondrocranium of the tadpole of C. greeningi and compare it to the available descriptions of Lophyohylinae and other suctorial tadpoles. The internal oral morphology in C. greeningi resembles pond-dwelling casque-headed frogs, although it has been found in temporary lotic environments. Corythomantis greeningi has unusual chondrocranial morphology relative to that of other described Lophyohylinae, including marked differences at the cornua trabeculae and palatoquadrate. Apparently, the chondrocranial morphology is related to its ecomorphology, because it is structurally more similar to other suctorial tadpoles that inhabit lotic environments than to phylogenetically related species such as Trachycephalus typhonius and Phyllodytes gyrinaethe

Larval chondrocranial and internal oral morphology of the neotropical treefrog Boana crepitans (Wied-Neuwied, 1824; Amphibia, Anura, Hylidae)

We describe the internal oral morphology and chondrocranial anatomy for Boana crepitans tadpoles, and compare them with available descriptions for other species in the subfamily Cophomantinae. Among species of the Boana faber group, the chondrocranial anatomy has been reported only for one species internal oral morphology and cranial anatomy are similar to other described species of Boana and Cophomantinae. B. crepitans lacks unique features in the oral cavity and chondrocranium that would distinguish it from other congeneric species. We identify six characters from the internal oral anatomy of tadpoles unique for Cophomantinae. In addition, Boana has infralabial papillae projections, buccal floor arena papillae, and lateral ridge papillae projections shorter than those described for Aplastodiscus and Bokermannohyla

COMPARAÇÃO E VALIDAÇÃO DA MODELAGEM ESPACIAL DE RISCOS DE INCÊNDIOS CONSIDERANDO DIFERENTES MÉTODOS DE PREDIÇÃO

Os problemas ambientais decorrentes dos incêndios alteram a dinâmica do planeta modificando seus ciclos e destruindo ecossistemas. O homem é responsável por quase a totalidade das queimadas, sendo ele também protagonista das iniciativas de prevenção. Dessa maneira, torna-se necessário um planejamento de ações ao combate desses danos ambientais. Uma vez que alocalização geográfica é importante atributo, esta pesquisa objetiva apoiar medidas de prevenção e controle de incêndios gerando e validando mapas com modelos preditivos de riscos de incêndios no município de João Pessoa – PB. Os dados foram modelados, processados, manipulados e analisados no software ArcGIS v10.0 e Matlab, bem como a geração e overlay de mapas temáticosatravés de análise multicritério, ponderação das variáveis e lógica fuzzy. Foi realizada a validação dos modelos considerando dados reais, onde os resultados demonstraram que os modelos gerados com o auxílio da lógica fuzzy apresentaram um coeficiente de determinação acima de 85%. A variável pluviometria contribuiu significativamente para que os modelos apresentassem maior confiabilidade. Essa variável não foi utilizada e nem recomendada especificamente em outras metodologias comparadas nessa pesquisa. Os fatores que contribuíram para o alto grau de vulnerabilidade de risco de incêndios: alta declividade, presença de vegetação, áreas de alta concentração de pessoas, aglomerados subnormais e regiões dentro da influência da rede viária ehidrografia. Por fim, esse trabalho teve o intuito de contribuir na tomada de decisão dos gestores de meio ambiente, segurança e defesa social de forma rápida e precisa com recurso a poucas variáveis e baixo custo

Mapping the morbidity and mortality of Chagas disease in an endemic area in Brazil

Chagas disease is among the 21 neglected diseases according to the World Health Organization. This study aimed to investigate the morbidity and mortality distribution of Chagas disease for identifying areas with greater prevalences and deaths of the disease in Northeast Brazil. A population-based ecological study was performed from 2016 to 2018 using data on acute Chagas disease patients from the Disease Notification Information System, chronic cases from the Chagas Disease and the referral Heart Failure Outpatient Clinic in Pernambuco, and Chagas disease-related mortality from the Mortality Information System. The unit of analysis were Pernambuco State mesoregions. The indicators were spatialized into thematic maps on the occurrence and mortality of the disease per 100,000 inhabitants. No cases of acute disease were reported in the period analyzed. Data on 801 chronic Chagas disease patients were analyzed. The population showed an average age of 62 years, with female predominance. The most prevalent comorbidity was systemic arterial hypertension and cardiologic involvement without ventricular dysfunction. The average chronic disease occurrence rate was 3.2/ 100,000 people/ year. As for deaths in the mortality system; in total, 350 deaths were recorded, showing male predominance, age ≥ 60 years, and chronic disease with cardiac involvement as the main mortality cause. The annual average mortality proportion was 1.6/100,000 people. The chronic case distribution showed spatial heterogeneity, with the highest rates of chronic disease and deaths observed in two mesoregions, with the main cause of death being heart-related. This highlights the need for more specialized services in areas with higher burden of the disease to avoid delay in the patients’ care

Análise espacial da tuberculose em menores de 15 anos de idade e risco socioeconômico: um estudo ecológico na Paraíba, 2007-2016

Objective: To analyze the spatial distribution of tuberculosis in individuals under 15 years old and the socioeconomic factors in Paraíba, Brazil, 2007-2016. Methods: Ecological study, with Sinan’s data, considering the municipality as the unit of analysis. The spatial distribution of the incidence was performed, the local empirical Bayesian method and Moran's statistics were applied. Socioeconomic data were crossed to identify areas of social prosperity. Results: 426 cases were reported, with an average incidence of 4.5/100 thousand inhabitants. Moran's index = 0.59 (p=0.010). The Moran Map revealed a concentration of cases in children under 15 in 38 municipalities with a high priority of care, in conglomerates in the high-high and low-low patterns, in the east and northwest of the state, coincided with areas of low social prosperity. Conclusion: There are clusters with greater transmission of tuberculosis, indicating priority areas for approaching tuberculosis.Objetivo: Analisar a distribuição espacial da tuberculose em indivíduos menores de 15 anos de idade e fatores socioeconômicos na Paraíba, Brasil, 2007-2016. Métodos: Estudo ecológico, com dados do Sinan, tendo-se o município como unidade de análise. Realizou-se distribuição espacial da incidência, aplicou-se o método bayesiano empírico local e a estatística de Moran. Dados socioeconômicos foram cruzados, para identificação das áreas de prosperidade social. Resultados: Foram notificados 426 casos, com incidência média de 4,5/100 mil habitantes. O índice de Moran foi de 0,59 (p-valor=0,010). O Moran Map revelou concentração de casos em menores de 15 anos em 38 municípios com alta prioridade da atenção, em conglomerados nos padrões alto-alto e baixo-baixo, nas regiões leste e noroeste do estado, coincidindo com áreas de baixa prosperidade social. Conclusão: Há clusters com maior transmissão da tuberculose, apontando áreas prioritárias para abordagem da tuberculose

Ação da vitamina D e vitamina C em pacientes com COVID 19

Clinicamente, a manifestação do vírus Sars-CoV-2, pode ser assintomática, moderada a grave com vários sintomas. Neste contexto, uma estratégia muito empregada, é a nutricional, com inserção de Vitaminas D e C, como fonte de fortalecimento do sistema imune. O papel biológico da Vit.C está relacionado à sua forma reduzida, o ascorbato, que atua na síntese e metabolismo de compostos celulares vitais, atividade antioxidante e função imunológica. Como também, está envolvida nas funções celulares do sistema imunológico inato e adaptativo. A vitamina D ou colecalciferol é conhecida como a vitamina do sol e o seu papel no sistema imunológico tem sido amplamente difundido por atuar na diferenciação de células imunológicas. Como também é através das suas interações com as células do sistema imune, reduz os riscos de infecções agudas no trato respiratório pelo Sars-Cov-2. Estudos relatam casos de pacientes que foram acometidos pelo vírus, e que apresentam deficiência dessas vitaminas, que acarreta a uma evolução da forma mais grave da doença. O papel das vitaminas consiste em atuar na diferenciação celular e através das suas interações com as células do sistema imunológico, assim, a suplementação com as vitaminas pode reduzir os riscos de infecções agudas no trato respiratório pelo vírus reduzindo a sobrevivência e replicação, como também a diminuição das citocinas inflamatórias. A literatura aborda dados controversos, nos quais alguns estudos indicam que a suplementação das vitaminas em pacientes acometidos pela Covid-19, proporciona melhores resultados clínicos dos pacientes, enquanto outros não apontam essa eficácia

Anti-viral effects of medicinal plants in the management of dengue: a systematic review

Background: Dengue is considered as an important arboviral disease. Safe, low-cost, and effective drugs that possess inhibitory activity against dengue virus (DENV) are mostly needed to try to combat the dengue infection worldwide. Medicinal plants have been considered as an important alternative to manage several diseases, such as dengue. As authors have demonstrated the antiviral effect of medicinal plants against DENV, the aim of this study was to review systematically the published research concerning the use of medicinal plants in the management of dengue using the PubMed database.Materials and Methods: Search and selection of publications were made using the PubMed database following the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA statement).Results: Six publications met the inclusion criteria and were included in the final selection after thorough analysis.Conclusion: It is suggested that medicinal plants’ products could be used as potential anti-DENV agents.Keywords: Dengue, arbovirus, medicinal plants, PubMe

Microcephaly epidemic related to the Zika virus and living conditions in Recife, Northeast Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Starting in August 2015, there was an increase in the number of cases of neonatal microcephaly in Northeast Brazil. These findings were identified as being an epidemic of microcephaly related to Zika virus (ZIKV) infection. The present study aims to analyse the spatial distribution of microcephaly cases in Recife (2015-2016), which is in Northeast Brazil, and its association with the living conditions in this city. METHODS: This was an ecological study that used data from reported cases of microcephaly from the State Health Department of Pernambuco (August 2015 to July 2016). The basic spatial unit of analysis was the 94 districts of Recife. The case definition of microcephaly was: neonates with a head circumference of less than the cut-off point of -2 standard deviations below the mean value from the established Fenton growth curve. As an indicator of the living conditions of the 94 districts, the percentage of heads of households with an income of less than twice the minimum wage was calculated. The districts were classified into four homogeneous strata using the K-means clustering algorithm. We plotted the locations of each microcephaly case over a layer of living conditions. RESULTS: During the study period, 347 microcephaly cases were reported, of which 142 (40.9%) fulfilled the definition of a microcephaly case. Stratification of the 94 districts resulted in the identification of four strata. The highest stratum in relation to the living conditions presented the lowest prevalence rate of microcephaly, and the overall difference between this rate and the rates of the other strata was statistically significant. The results of the Kruskal-Wallis test demonstrated that there was a strong association between a higher prevalence of microcephaly and poor living conditions. After the first 6 months of the study period, there were no microcephaly cases recorded within the population living in the richest socio-economic strata. CONCLUSION: This study showed that those residing in areas with precarious living conditions had a higher prevalence of microcephaly compared with populations with better living conditions