Predictors of parent-teacher communication during infant transition to childcare in Portugal

Although literature reports associations between parent-teacher communication and childcare quality, little is known about how such communications are related to family, child and childcare characteristics. This study examines whether child, family and childcare experience characteristics predict the level of parent-teacher communication, and differences between parents’ and teachers’ reports of communication. Participants were mothers of 90 infants and their teachers in childcare in Portugal. Results show that both parents and teachers report higher levels of communication in higher-quality programmes. Teachers reported more frequent communication than parents. Teachers, but not parents, reported more frequent communication when children spent fewer hours in childcare. Discussion highlights the relevance of monitoring the quality of childcare contexts, especially in early ages, and to increase parent-teacher communication when children spend more time in childcare. The importance of promoting high-quality childcare and accounting for variables at the mesosystemic level of development in teacher training are also discussed.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Homegreens - Aquaponics System as an Educational Tool towards a Sustainable Future

Aquaponics is an integrated production practice that emerges from the combi-nation of two farming techniques: hydroponics and aquaculture. It consists in a simulation of a natural ecosystem that grows plants without soil substrate in the nutrient enriched waters recirculated from aquaculture systems. This type of production offers several advantages, namely economic and ecological ones. Homegreens is a project that aims to create small saltwater and freshwater aquaponic sys-tems, which can be installed in schools and serve as a didactic tool for introducing contents such as biology and sustainability to a juvenile audience. Implemented by a designers, biol-ogists and agronomists’ multidisciplinary team, the methodology was based on the develop-ment and quantitative validation of prototypes, and the installation and qualitative analyses of user’s interaction. These small scale aquaponic systems consists on a grow bed, an aquarium with a capacity for 45L, a protection barrier for the plant’s roots, aeration, biofilters and a thermostat. Sever-al simplified models were developed, presented and installed in two primary schools. Labor-atory tests were conducted to validate the use of a cork grow bed and a 3D printed polya-cid lactic (PLA) aeration and biofilter system. Children’s engagement and interaction with these simplified models, indicates that these systems will provide a biology and sustainability related group learning opportunity.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Distinct variation in vector competence among nine field populations of Aedes aegypti from a Brazilian dengue-endemic risk city

Background: In Brazil, dengue epidemics erupt sporadically throughout the country and it is unclear if outbreaks may initiate a sustainable transmission cycle. There are few studies evaluating the ability of Brazilian Aedes aegypti populations to transmit dengue virus (DENV). The aim of this study was to compare DENV susceptibility of field-captured Ae. aegypti populations from nine distinct geographic areas of the city of Belo Horizonte in 2009 and 2011. Infection Rate (IR), Vector Competence (VC) and Disseminated Infection Rate (DIR) were determined. Methods: Aedes aegypti eggs from each region were collected and reared separately in an insectary. Adult females were experimentally infected with DENV-2 and the virus was detected by qPCR in body and head samples. Data were analyzed with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 17. Results: IR varied from 40.0% to 82.5% in 2009 and 60.0% to 100.0% in 2011. VC ranged from 25.0% to 77.5% in 2009 and 25.0% to 80.0% in 2011. DIR oscillated from 68.7% to 100.0% in 2009 and 38.4% to 86.8 in 2011. When the results were evaluated by a logistic model using IR as covariate, North, Barreiro, South-Central and Venda Nova showed the strongest association in 2009. In 2011, a similar association was observed for South-Central, Venda Nova, West and Northeast regions. Using VC as covariate, South-Central and Venda Nova showed the most relevant association in 2009. In 2011, South-Central, Venda Nova and Barreiro presented the greatest revelation associations. When DIR data were analyzed by logistic regression models, Pampulha, South-Central, Venda Nova, West, Northeast and East (2009) as well as South-Central, Venda Nova and West (2011) were the districts showing the strongest associations. Conclusions: We conclude that Ae. aegypti populations from Belo Horizonte exhibit wide variation in vector competence to transmit dengue. Therefore, vector control strategies should be adapted to the available data for each region. Further analysis should be conducted to better understand the reasons for this large variability in vector competence and how these parameters correlate with epidemiological findings in subsequent years

Analysis of Zebrafish contamination with heavy metals using a FF-XRF imaging system based on a MPGD

Funding Information: F.D. Leite is grateful for the grant BII/UI96/9175/2020, R.G. Oliveira is grateful for the grant SFRH/BI/10638/2020, and P.M.S. Carvalho is grateful to FCT for the PhD grant PD/BD/128324/2017. Funding Information: The costs resulting from the FCT (Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P–Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology) hiring L.F.N.D. Carramate were funded by national funds (OE) in the scope of the framework contract CEECIND/01369/2017, and S. Pessanha in the scope of the framework contract CEECIND/00278/2018. Funding Information: This work was partially supported by projects PTDC/FIS-AQM/32536/2017, CERN/FIS-INS/0026/2019 and STRONG-2020–824093 through FCT and H2020 programs. It was also developed within the scope of the i3N (UIDB/50025/2020 & UIDP/50025/2020) and CESAM (UIDP/50017/2020 & UIDB/50017/2020 & LA/P/0094/2020), financed by national funds through the FCT/MEC COMPETE , FEDER and POCI programs. Publisher Copyright: © 2022 The AuthorsHeavy metals have been extensively used by humans and are still present in many aspects of modern-day life. Such elements tend to accumulate, degrading the quality of air, soil, and water, negatively affecting the living organisms. As such, it is of paramount importance to understand the environmental risks of heavy metals, including their bioaccumulation capacity in organisms, since they are associated with several harmful health effects, such as neurological damages. The Zebrafish (Danio rerio) has been shown to be an excellent animal model to understand physiological responses in mammals and consequently to perform toxicological studies due to characteristics such as the high genetic and physiological similarity with humans. In this work, a Full-Field Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (FF-XRF) imaging system, based on the 2D-THCOBRA micropattern gas detector, was used to monitor heavy metal accumulation in Zebrafish during a water borne exposure bioassay. The distributions of Mn, Se, and Pb in Zebrafish, exposed to different concentrations of the heavy metal compounds during different time intervals, were mapped. The results show a preferential accumulation of Mn, Se, and Pb in the Zebrafish's visceral region and highlight the suitability of the FF-XRF imaging system for quick screening of metal accumulation in fish bioassays.publishersversionpublishe

Interventions for the control of Aedes aegypti in Latin America and the Caribbean: systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective: To determine the effectiveness and degree of implementation of interventions for the control of Aedes aegypti in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) as reported in scientific literature. Methods: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, SOCINDEX, and LILACS, for experimental and observational studies, economic assessments and qualitative experiences carried out in LAC from 2000 to 2016. We assessed incidence and morbimortality of Aedes aegypti-related diseases and entomological indices: Breteau (containers), House, and Pupae per Person. We used GRADE methodology for assessing quality of evidence. Results: Of 1826 records retrieved, 75 were included and 9 cluster randomised clinical trials could be meta-analysed. We did not identify any intervention supported by a high certainty of evidence. In consistency with qualitative evidence, health education and community engagement probably reduces the entomological indices, as do the use of insecticide-treated materials, indoor residual spraying and the management of containers. There is low certainty of evidence supporting the use of ovitraps or larvitraps, and the integrated epidemiological surveillance strategy to improve indices and reduce the incidence of dengue. The reported degree of implementation of these vector control interventions was variable and most did not extend to whole cities and were not sustained beyond 2 years. Conclusions: We found a general lack of evidence on effectiveness of vector control in the region, despite a few interventions that showed moderate to low certainty of evidence. It is important to engage and educate the community, apart from achieving the implementation of integrated actions between the health and other sectors at national and regional level.Fil: Bardach, Ariel Esteban. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Centro de Investigaciones en Epidemiología y Salud Pública. Instituto de Efectividad Clínica y Sanitaria. Centro de Investigaciones en Epidemiología y Salud Pública; ArgentinaFil: García Perdomo, Herney Andrés. Universidad del Valle; ColombiaFil: Alcaraz, Andrea. Instituto de Efectividad Clínica y Sanitaria; ArgentinaFil: Tapia López, Elena. Instituto de Efectividad Clínica y Sanitaria; ArgentinaFil: Ruano Gandara, Ruth Amanda. Instituto de Efectividad Clínica y Sanitaria; ArgentinaFil: Ruvinsky, Silvina. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital de Pediatría "Juan P. Garrahan"; ArgentinaFil: Ciapponi, Agustín. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Centro de Investigaciones en Epidemiología y Salud Pública. Instituto de Efectividad Clínica y Sanitaria. Centro de Investigaciones en Epidemiología y Salud Pública; Argentin

Seroprevalence of Protective Antibodies Against Influenza and the Reduction of the Influenza Incidence Rate: An Annual Repeated Cross-Sectional Study From 2014 to 2019

Background: Seroepidemiological studies provide estimates of population-level immunity, prevalence/incidence of infections, and evaluation of vaccination programs. We assessed the seroprevalence of protective antibodies against influenza and evaluated the correlation of seroprevalence with the cumulative annual influenza incidence rate. Methods: We conducted an annual repeated cross-sectional seroepidemiological survey, during June-August, from 2014 to 2019, in Portugal. A total of 4326 sera from all age groups, sex, and regions was tested by hemagglutination inhibition assay. Seroprevalence and geometric mean titers (GMT) of protective antibodies against influenza were assessed by age group, sex, and vaccine status (65+ years old). The association between summer annual seroprevalence and the difference of influenza incidence rates between one season and the previous one was measured by Pearson correlation coefficient (r). Results: Significant differences in seroprevalence of protective antibodies against influenza were observed in the population. Higher seroprevalence and GMT for A(H1N1)pdm09 and A(H3N2) were observed in children (5-14); influenza B seroprevalence in adults 65+ was 1.6-4.4 times than in children (0-4). Vaccinated participants (65+) showed significant higher seroprevalence/GMT for influenza. A strong negative and significant correlation was found between seroprevalence and ILI incidence rate for A(H1N1)pdm09 in children between 5 and 14 (r = -0.84; 95% CI, -0.98 to -0.07); a weak negative correlation was observed for A(H3N2) and B/Yamagata (r ≤ -0.1). Conclusions: The study provides new insight into the anti-influenza antibodies seroprevalence measured in summer on the ILI incidence rate in the next season and the need for adjusted preventive health care measures to prevent influenza infection and transmission.Luís Ribeiro and Ana Sofia Marinho from Centro Hospitalar Universitário de São João, E. P. E.; Lídia Santos, Patrícia Miguel, Paula Branquinho, and Paula Soares from Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Lisboa Central, E. P. E.; Margarida Figueiredo and Daniela Cochicho from Instituto Português de Oncologia de Lisboa, Francisco Gentil, E.P. E.; Diana Barros from Centro Hospitalar de Setúbal, E. P. E.; Ivo Rosa, Ana Mira, and José Brito from Hospital do Espírito Santo de Évora, E. P. E., are acknowledged for their work at hospital laboratories as members of the Portuguese Laboratory Network for Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses Diagnosis. The authors acknowledge the coordinators of WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza at Francis Crick Institute, London, for supporting the Portuguese National Influenza Reference Laboratory, with technical advice and reference reagents

High Target Homology Does Not Guarantee Inhibition: Aminothiazoles Emerge as Inhibitors of \u3ci\u3ePlasmodium falciparum\u3c/i\u3e

In this study, we identified three novel compound classes with potent activity against Plasmodium falciparum, the most dangerous human malarial parasite. Resistance of this pathogen to known drugs is increasing, and compounds with different modes of action are urgently needed. One promising drug target is the enzyme 1-deoxy-D-xylulose-5- phosphate synthase (DXPS) of the methylerythritol 4-phosphate (MEP) pathway for which we have previously identified three active compound classes against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The close structural similarities of the active sites of the DXPS enzymes of P. falciparum and M. tuberculosis prompted investigation of their antiparasitic action, all classes display good cell-based activity. Through structure−activity relationship studies, we increased their antimalarial potency and two classes also show good metabolic stability and low toxicity against human liver cells. The most active compound 1 inhibits the growth of blood-stage P. falciparum with an IC50 of 600 nM. The results from three different methods for target validation of compound 1 suggest no engagement of DXPS. All inhibitor classes are active against chloroquine-resistant strains, confirming a new mode of action that has to be further investigated