a longitudinal study of 27 European countries 2004 to 2016

Significant gender-based health inequalities have been observed across Europe, with women reporting worse health than men. Still, there has been little examination of how the gender–health gap has changed over time, and how it has been shaped by societal gender equality. We used data from the Statistics on Income and Living Conditions Eurostat database (EU-SILC), involving 2,931,081 participants aged 25–64, for 27 European countries. Logistic regressions were performed to model the association between self-reported bad health and gender, in general and over time. Analyses were stratified by employment, education, and clusters of countries according to levels of Gender Equality Index (GEI). Adjusting for age, year, and country, bad health was 17% more likely among women, but this disadvantage ceased after accounting for education and employment. Gender–health inequalities were larger among countries with higher GEI scores and among low-educated groups. The gender–health gap did not reduce significantly between 2004 and 2016, in general and within subgroups. Although societies are becoming more equal, persistent inequalities in employment and income still lead to sustained health differences between men and women.publishersversionpublishe

The role of mobility in sexual risk behaviour and HIV acquisition among sub-Saharan African migrants residing in two European cities

Background: Migrants from high endemic countries accounted for 18% of newly diagnosed HIV infections in Europe in 2017. Knowledge on the link between HIV risk and post-migration travels and their impact on HIV acquisition is scarce, but critical to inform prevention. This study aims to explore risky sexual behaviour and HIV-acquisition among sub-Saharan African migrants, and to assess post-migration mobility as a determinant of sexual risk behaviour. Methods: Data from two cross-sectional bio-behavioural surveys to assess HIV-prevalence conducted in Lisbon and Antwerp were analysed to explore migration-related characteristics, travel patterns, and sexual risk taking in the host country and abroad. Bi- and multivariate associations were estimated through adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals; multivariable logistic regression determined factors associated with condomless sexual intercourse. Results: Among N = 1508 participants above 18 years (58% males), 68% travelled post-migration (49.2% reported intercourse abroad). The overall proportion of condomless sex at last sexual intercourse was high (68.1%). The odds of condomless sex in the host country was five times higher when the last sexual intercourse abroad was also condomless [OR:5.32; 95% CI:2.98-9.25]. About half of the travellers reported concurrency, i.e. a regular partner in the host country while having other sexual partners abroad. Almost three percent of the participants reported being HIV+, but 5% had a reactive HIV test-result, with similar proportions among travellers and non-travellers. Also, among the n = 75 participants with reactive HIV test-results, condomless sex occurred (n = 40) and was associated with mobility. Conclusions: Sub-Saharan African migrants are mobile and engage in sexual risk behaviours in the countries of residence and while travelling, increasing risk of post-migration HIV-acquisition. A transnational perspective on HIV prevention and sexual health promotion is needed for effectively reducing migrants' HIV risk related to their mobility.publishersversionpublishe

Understanding male (con)tradi(c)tions through an in-depth interview study

This study aims to explore the diversity of male attitudes towards, and experiences of, sexual problems in the context of their relationships, through a qualitative approach on the historically and culturally specific patterns of change in sexual pleasures and experiences over the life course.Merck Sharp & Dohme Foundationinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Resistividade elétrica em filmes finos de ferro crescidos sobre Si (III)

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Síndrome de Pendred causada por mutação em homozigoze no gene SLC26A4 em uma família brasileira consangüínea

ABSTRACTPendred Syndrome (PS) is an autossomal recessive disorder characterized by sensorineural deafness, goiter and iodide organification defect. The hearing loss is associated with inner ear abnormalities, ranging from an isolated enlarged vestibular aqueduct (EVA) to a typical coclear dysplasia. Mutations in the gene that encodes pendrin (SLC26A4), a chloride/iodide transporter, have been shown to be associated with PS. We describe the clinical and molecular characteristics of a large consanguineous family harboring a mutation in the SLC26A4 gene. The proband was a 26-year-old deaf Brazilian woman who presented a bulky multinodular goiter and hypothyroidism since puberty. Five other siblings were deaf: one brother had a similar phenotype, three siblings also had goiters but normal thyroid function tests, and one brother had only a subtle thyroid enlargement. Other 4 siblings had no thyroid or hearing disorder. Parents were first degree cousins and had normal hearing. The mother was healthy, except for subclinical hypothyroidism; the father was deceased. A perchlorate test in the proband showed a discharge of 21% of the incorporated iodide 2h after the administration of 1g of KClO4. Audiological examinations showed profound hearing loss in all deaf subjects; CT and MRI of the temporal bones showed EVA in all of them. Genomic DNA was isolated from whole blood, from the 6 affected and 4 unaffected siblings, the mother and control. The coding region of the PDS gene (exons 2-21), including exon/intron boundaries, were amplified by PCR and sequenced. A single base-pair (T) deletion at position 1197 of exon 10 was detected in homozygous state in the 6 deaf siblings. The mother and 2 unaffected siblings were heterozygous for this mutation, which has been described by Everett et al. The 1197delT mutation is predicted to result in a frameshift and a truncated protein. The existence of PS phenocopies and intrafamilial phenotypic variability are well documented. The definite diagnosis requires molecular analysis. Our study illustrates the value and challenges of mutational analysis in selected patients with PS. __________________________________________________________________________________ RESUMOA syndrome de Pendred (SP) é uma doença autossômica recessiva caracterizada por surdez neurossensorial, bócio e defeito de organificação do iodo. A perda auditiva está associada a anormalidades do ouvido interno, desde a dilatação isolada do aqueduto vestibular (DAV) até uma típica displasia coclear. Mutações no gene que codifica a pendrina (SLC26A4), um transportador de cloreto/iodeto, têm sido associadas à SP. Descrevemos as características clínicas e moleculares de uma grande família consangüínea portadora de uma mutação no gene SLC26A4. O caso-índice era uma paciente do sexo feminino, brasileira, 26 anos, portadora de surdez congênita, que apresentava um volumoso bócio multinodular e hipotireoidismo desde a puberdade. Outros cinco irmãos eram surdos: um irmão tinha fenotipo semelhante, três também tinham bócio, porém com função tiroideana normal e um irmão tinha apenas um discreto aumento da tiróide. Outros quatro irmãos não apresentavam alteração tiroideana ou auditiva. Os pais eram primos de primeiro grau e tinham audição normal. A mãe era saudável, exceto por hipotireoidismo subclínico; o pai era falecido. O teste do perclorato no caso-índice revelou a liberação de 21% do iodo incorporado duas horas após a administração de 1 g de KClO4. Os exames audiológicos mostraram perda auditiva profunda em todos os indivíduos afetados; TC e RMN dos ossos temporais mostraram DAV em todos eles. O DNA genômico foi isolado do sangue total dos seis irmãos afetados e dos quatro não-afetados, da mãe e do controle. A região codificante do gene PDS (éxons 2-21), incluindo as junções éxon/íntron, foram amplificadas por PCR e seqüenciadas. Foi detectada a deleção de uma base (T) na posição 1197 do éxon 10, em homozigoze, nos seis irmãos afetados. A mãe e dois irmãos não-afetados eram heterozigotos para a mutação, que foi descrita inicialmente por Everett e cols. A mutação 1197delT provavelmente resulta em um erro de fase de leitura (frameshift) e em uma proteína truncada. A existência de fenocópias da SP e a variabilidade fenotípica intrafamiliar são bem conhecidas. O diagnóstico definitivo requer análise molecular. O presente estudo ilustra o valor e os desafios da análise mutacional em pacientes selecionados com SP

Magnetômetro de efeito Kerr espectral : primeiros resultados

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Building a Portuguese Coalition for Biodiversity Genomics

The diverse physiography of the Portuguese land and marine territory, spanning from continental Europe to the Atlantic archipelagos, has made it an important repository of biodiversity throughout the Pleistocene glacial cycles, leading to a remarkable diversity of species and ecosystems. This rich biodiversity is under threat from anthropogenic drivers, such as climate change, invasive species, land use changes, overexploitation or pathogen (re)emergence. The inventory, characterization and study of biodiversity at inter- and intra-specific levels using genomics is crucial to promote its preservation and recovery by informing biodiversity conservation policies, management measures and research. The participation of researchers from Portuguese institutions in the European Reference Genome Atlas (ERGA) initiative, and its pilot effort to generate reference genomes for European biodiversity, has reinforced the establishment of Biogenome Portugal. This nascent institutional network will connect the national community of researchers in genomics. Here, we describe the Portuguese contribution to ERGA’s pilot effort, which will generate high-quality reference genomes of six species from Portugal that are endemic, iconic and/or endangered, and include plants, insects and vertebrates (fish, birds and mammals) from mainland Portugal or the Azores islands. In addition, we outline the objectives of Biogenome Portugal, which aims to (i) promote scientific collaboration, (ii) contribute to advanced training, (iii) stimulate the participation of institutions and researchers based in Portugal in international biodiversity genomics initiatives, and (iv) contribute to the transfer of knowledge to stakeholders and engaging the public to preserve biodiversity. This initiative will strengthen biodiversity genomics research in Portugal and fuel the genomic inventory of Portuguese eukaryotic species. Such efforts will be critical to the conservation of the country’s rich biodiversity and will contribute to ERGA’s goal of generating reference genomes for European species.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Avaliação físico-química e microbiológica de águas procedentes de soluções alternativas de abastecimento na Região Metropolitana da Baixada Santista, Estado de São Paulo, Brasil

Water is essential to life but its contamination may endanger public health. This study evaluated the physical-chemical and microbiological quality of alternative water supply solutions located in the Baixada Santista / SP. 67 samples (41 water spouts, 13 springs and 13 wells) were initially collected, and then 22 new collections were made. Total coliforms and Escherichia coli, according to the methodology of APHA (2012) and the contents of chloride, free residual chlorine (in treated waters), apparent color, hardness, iron, fluoride, nitrate, nitrite, odor, pH, total dissolved solids, and sulfate turbidity, were counted according to the techniques described by ANVISA (2005). Of the total of the samples, 56 (83,6%) were not in compliance with Decree 2914/2011 of the Ministry of Health, which refers to the potability of water for human consumption. The tests with the highest percentage of unsatisfactory results were E. coli, 39 (58,2%); apparent color 16 (23,9%) and nitrate, 15 (22,4%). A frequent monitoring of the quality of these waters is suggested – carrying out measures for their treatment, such as chlorination-, as well as a clarification to consumers about the quality of these waters by the competent bodies and the media for the benefit of the population’s health.A água é indispensável e essencial à vida, mas sua contaminação pode colocar em risco a saúde pública. Foram avaliadas a qualidade físico-química e a microbiológica da água de soluções alternativas de abastecimento localizadas na Região Metropolitana da Baixada Santista/SP. Foram coletadas 67 amostras (41 de água de bicas, 13 de nascentes e 13 de poços) e realizadas 22 novas coletas, quanto à pesquisa e contagem de coliformes totais e Escherichia coli, conforme a metodologia da APHA (2012) e os teores de cloreto, cloro residual livre (nas águas tratadas), cor aparente, dureza, ferro, fluoreto, nitrato, nitrito, odor, pH, sólidos totais dissolvidos, sulfato e turbidez, segundo as técnicas descritas pela Anvisa (2005). Do total, 56 (83,6%) foram reprovadas com base na Portaria no 2.914/2011 do Ministério da Saúde, que dispõe sobre a potabilidade da água para consumo humano. Os ensaios com maior percentual de resultados insatisfatórios foram: E. coli, 39 (58,2%); cor aparente, 16 (23,9%) e nitrato, 15 (22,4%). Sugere-se um monitoramento frequente da qualidade das referidas águas, a realização de medidas para o seu tratamento, como a cloração, e um esclarecimento aos consumidores quanto à qualidade dessas águas por parte dos órgãos competentes e da mídia em benefício da saúde da população