Factors Associated with Pre-drinking Among Nightclub Patrons in the City of São Paulo

Aims: the aim of the study was to describe the phenomenon of pre-drinking (alcohol consumption before entering nightclubs or bars) and to identify factors associated with pre-drinking practices among patrons in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. Methods: Individual-level data were collected by a portal survey of 2422 patrons at the entrance and at the exit of 31 nightclubs. the nightclubs were selected by two-stage sampling using a probability proportional to the establishments' capacity in the first stage and a systematic sample of patrons in the second stage. Breath alcohol concentration (BrAC) was measured. Face-to-face interview identified pre-drinking characteristics and past-year risk behaviors. Analysis used sample weights to compensate for nightclubs or patrons that were possibly over- or under-represented. Results: of the study participants, 41.3% (95% confidence interval (CI) = 33.7-49.3) engaged in pre-drinking on the night of the interview. Being male (odds ratio (OR) = 1.98, 95% CI = 1.45-2.71), past-year binge drinking (OR = 2.28, 95% CI = 1.70-3.07), previous episodes of severe effects from drunkenness (OR = 1.77, 95% CI = 1.40-2.22) and sexual risk behavior (OR = 1.67, 95% CI = 1.20-2.33) were associated with recent pre-drinking. Pre-drinking predicted higher BrACs at the nightclub exit. Conclusion: Pre-drinking is prevalent among nightclub patrons and associated with risk behaviors, and is associated with alcohol intoxication at nightclub exits. Environmental prevention strategies must consider pre-drinking as a potential risk factor for alcohol intoxication in nightclubs.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Prevent Med, Epidemiol Sect, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Informat Hlth, Sect Stat, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Sect Bioestat, Dept Prevent Med, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Prevent Med, Epidemiol Sect, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Informat Hlth, Sect Stat, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Sect Bioestat, Dept Prevent Med, São Paulo, BrazilFAPESP: 2011/51658-0FAPESP: 2012/03832-4Web of Scienc

Minimal information for studies of extracellular vesicles (MISEV2023): From basic to advanced approaches

Extracellular vesicles (EVs), through their complex cargo, can reflect the state of their cell of origin and change the functions and phenotypes of other cells. These features indicate strong biomarker and therapeutic potential and have generated broad interest, as evidenced by the steady year-on-year increase in the numbers of scientific publications about EVs. Important advances have been made in EV metrology and in understanding and applying EV biology. However, hurdles remain to realising the potential of EVs in domains ranging from basic biology to clinical applications due to challenges in EV nomenclature, separation from non-vesicular extracellular particles, characterisation and functional studies. To address the challenges and opportunities in this rapidly evolving field, the International Society for Extracellular Vesicles (ISEV) updates its 'Minimal Information for Studies of Extracellular Vesicles', which was first published in 2014 and then in 2018 as MISEV2014 and MISEV2018, respectively. The goal of the current document, MISEV2023, is to provide researchers with an updated snapshot of available approaches and their advantages and limitations for production, separation and characterisation of EVs from multiple sources, including cell culture, body fluids and solid tissues. In addition to presenting the latest state of the art in basic principles of EV research, this document also covers advanced techniques and approaches that are currently expanding the boundaries of the field. MISEV2023 also includes new sections on EV release and uptake and a brief discussion of in vivo approaches to study EVs. Compiling feedback from ISEV expert task forces and more than 1000 researchers, this document conveys the current state of EV research to facilitate robust scientific discoveries and move the field forward even more rapidly

Identifying the research, advocacy, policy and implementation needs for the prevention and management of respiratory syncytial virus lower respiratory tract infection in low- and middle-income countries

Introduction: The high burden of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in young children disproportionately occurs in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The PROUD (Preventing RespiratOry syncytial virUs in unDerdeveloped countries) Taskforce of 24 RSV worldwide experts assessed key needs for RSV prevention in LMICs, including vaccine and newer preventive measures. Methods: A global, survey-based study was undertaken in 2021. An online questionnaire was developed following three meetings of the Taskforce panellists wherein factors related to RSV infection, its prevention and management were identified using iterative questioning. Each factor was scored, by non-panellists interested in RSV, on a scale of zero (very-low-relevance) to 100 (very-high-relevance) within two scenarios: (1) Current and (2) Future expectations for RSV management. Results: Ninety questionnaires were completed: 70 by respondents (71.4% physicians; 27.1% researchers/scientists) from 16 LMICs and 20 from nine high-income (HI) countries (90.0% physicians; 5.0% researchers/scientists), as a reference group. Within LMICs, RSV awareness was perceived to be low, and management was not prioritised. Of the 100 factors scored, those related to improved diagnosis particularly access to affordable point-of-care diagnostics, disease burden data generation, clinical and general education, prompt access to new interventions, and engagement with policymakers/payers were identified of paramount importance. There was a strong need for clinical education and local data generation in the lowest economies, whereas upper-middle income countries were more closely aligned with HI countries in terms of current RSV service provision. Conclusion: Seven key actions for improving RSV prevention and management in LMICs are proposed

Growth and survival of the freshwater mussel, Anodontites trapesialis (Lamarck 1819), in a flow-through system for long-term holding

As with other freshwater mussels, Anodontites trapesialis is an endangered and threatened species. Artificial culture has been strongly recommended in recovery plans as a strategy to bolster declining populations, as well as the reintroduction of species to sites within their historic ranges. Our project compares two methods of adult animal management: buried and suspended, focusing on growth and survival of A. trapesialis in a captive environment. Animals were fed with Chlamydomonas spp. After 120 days, weight (soft and hard body) increased by 2.1% in the suspended group and decreased by 1.4% in the buried group. Suspended animals showed higher survival rates than those that were buried. The information provided may be of particular interest to develop future conservation measures for this and other similar endangered species.Así como otras especies de almejas de agua dulce, Anodontites trapesialis se encuentra en peligro y amenazada de extinción. El cultivo artificial ha sido muy recomendado en los planes de recuperación como una estrategia para mejorar las cifras de población en declive, así como la reintroducción de especies a sitios dentro de sus rangos históricos. Nuestro estudio compara dos métodos de manejo de animales adultos, enterrados y suspendidos, con un enfoque en el crecimiento y la supervivencia de  A. trapesialis en un ambiente de cautiverio. Los animales fueron alimentados con Chlamydomonas spp. Al comparar los porcentajes de peso corporal (concha y tejido blando) después de 120 días, un aumento medio del 2.1% se observó en el grupo suspendido y una pérdida media del 1.4% en el grupo enterrado. Los animales suspendidos tuvieron mejores tasas de supervivencia que aquellos que fueron enterrados. La información proporcionada puede ser de especial interés para el desarrollo de las futuras medidas de conservación para esta y otras especies similares en peligro de extinción

O CRESCIMIENTO E A SOBREVIVÊNCIA DO MEXILHÃO DE ÁGUA DOCE, ANODONTITES TRAPESIALIS (LAMARCK 1819), EM UM SISTEMA DE FLUXO CONTÍNUO EM LONGO PRAZO

Así como otras especies de almejas de agua dulce, Anodontites trapesialis se encuentra en peligro y amenazada de extinción. El cultivo artificial ha sido muy recomendado en los planes de recuperación como una estrategia para mejorar las cifras de población en declive, así como la reintroducción de especies a sitios dentro de sus rangos históricos. Nuestro estudio compara dos métodos de manejo de animales adultos, enterrados y suspendidos, con un enfoque en el crecimiento y la supervivencia de  A. trapesialis en un ambiente de cautiverio. Los animales fueron alimentados con Chlamydomonas spp. Al comparar los porcentajes de peso corporal (concha y tejido blando) después de 120 días, un aumento medio del 2.1% se observó en el grupo suspendido y una pérdida media del 1.4% en el grupo enterrado. Los animales suspendidos tuvieron mejores tasas de supervivencia que aquellos que fueron enterrados. La información proporcionada puede ser de especial interés para el desarrollo de las futuras medidas de conservación para esta y otras especies similares en peligro de extinción.As with other freshwater mussels, Anodontites trapesialis is an endangered and threatened species. Artificial culture has been strongly recommended in recovery plans as a strategy to bolster declining populations, as well as the reintroduction of species to sites within their historic ranges. Our project compares two methods of adult animal management: buried and suspended, focusing on growth and survival of A. trapesialis in a captive environment. Animals were fed with Chlamydomonas spp. After 120 days, weight (soft and hard body) increased by 2.1% in the suspended group and decreased by 1.4% in the buried group. Suspended animals showed higher survival rates than those that were buried. The information provided may be of particular interest to develop future conservation measures for this and other similar endangered species.Assim como outras espécies de amêijoas de água doce, Anodontites trapesialis encontra-se em perigo e ameaçada de extinção. O cultivo artificial foi muito recomendado nos planos de recuperação como uma estratégia para melhorar as cifras de população em declive, assim como a reintrodução de espécies a lugares dentro de suas faixas históricas. Nosso estudo compara dois métodos de manejo de animais adultos, enterrados e suspensos, com um enfoque no crescimento e a sobrevivência de A. trapesialis em um ambiente de cativeiro. Os animais foram alimentados com Chlamydomonas spp. Ao comparar as porcentagens de peso corporal (concha e tecido mole) depois de 120 dias, um aumento médio de 2.1% observou-se no grupo suspenso e uma perda média de 1.4% no grupo enterrado. Os animais suspensos tiveram melhores taxas de sobrevivência do que aqueles que foram enterrados. A informação proporcionada pode ser de especial interesse para o desenvolvimento das futuras medidas de conservação para esta e outras espécies semelhantes em perigo de extinção

Sex effects on the association between sarcopenia EWGSOP and osteoporosis in outpatient older adults: data from the SARCOS study

ABSTRACT Objective: The objective was to evaluate the association between sarcopenia (EWGSOP) and osteoporosis in older adults. Subjects and methods: This is a cross sectional analysis of a baseline evaluation of the SARCopenia and OSteoporosis in Older Adults with Cardiovascular Diseases Study (SARCOS). Three hundred and thirty-two subjects over 65 years of age were evaluated. Sarcopenia was determined by EWGSOP flowchart and Osteoporosis was established by WHO's criteria. Physical function, comorbidities and medications were evaluated. Results: Women were older (79.8 ± 7.2 years) than men (78.21 ± 6.7 years) (p = 0.042). Osteoporosis occurred in 24.8% of men, and in 42.7% of women (p < 0.001); sarcopenia occurred in 25.5% of men and in 17.7%, of women (p = 0.103). Osteoporosis was diagnosed in 68% of sarcopenic women, however only 20.7% (p = 0.009) of women with osteoporosis had sarcopenia; in older men, 44.7% of individuals with sarcopenia presented osteoporosis and 42.9% (p = 0.013) of men with osteoporosis showed sarcopenia. In an adjusted logistic regression analyses for sarcopenia, osteoporosis presented a statistically significant association with sarcopenia in men [OR: 2.930 (95% CI: 1.044-8.237; p = 0.041)] but not in women [OR: 2.081 (0.787-5.5; p = 0.142)]; in the adjusted logistic regression analyses for osteoporosis, a statistically significant association occurred in men [OR: 2.984 (95% CI: 1.144-7.809; p = 0.025)], but not in women [OR: 2.093 (0.962-3.714; p = 0.137)]. Conclusion: According to sex, there are significant differences in the association between sarcopenia EWGSOP and osteoporosis in outpatient older adults. It is strong and significant in males; in females, despite showing a positive trend, it was not statistically significant

Development and validation of PCR-based assays for diagnosis of American cutaneous leishmaniasis and identificatio nof the parasite species

In this study, PCR assays targeting different Leishmania heat-shock protein 70 gene (hsp70) regions, producing fragments ranging in size from 230-390 bp were developed and evaluated to determine their potential as a tool for the specific molecular diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). A total of 70 Leishmania strains were analysed, including seven reference strains (RS) and 63 previously typed strains. Analysis of the RS indicated a specific region of 234 bp in the hsp70 gene as a valid target that was highly sensitive for detection of Leishmania species DNA with capacity of distinguishing all analyzed species, after polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorfism (PCR-RFLP). This PCR assay was compared with other PCR targets used for the molecular diagnosis of leishmaniasis: hsp70 (1400-bp region), internal transcribed spacer (ITS)1 and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6pd). A good agreement among the methods was observed concerning the Leishmania species identification. Moreover, to evaluate the potential for molecular diagnosis, we compared the PCR targets hsp70-234 bp, ITS1, G6pd and mkDNA using a panel of 99 DNA samples from tissue fragments collected from patients with confirmed CL. Both PCR-hsp70-234 bp and PCR-ITS1 detected Leishmania DNA in more than 70% of the samples. However, using hsp70-234 bp PCR-RFLP, identification of all of the Leishmania species associated with CL in Brazil can be achieved employing a simpler and cheaper electrophoresis protocol