Low occurrence of Hepatitis A virus in water samples from an urban area of Southern Brazil

Hepatitis A virus (HAV), a member of Picornaviridae family, is the main causative agent of acute viral hepatitis in the world, mainly in developing countries. HAV may be present in contaminated water and food and its presence is often associated to a lesser extent with socioeconomic factors and environmental quality. The main goals in the present study were to standardize a cell culture combined to a polymerase chain reaction protocol for the detection and quantification of viral viability and analyze whether the virus could be found in water samples collected in four urban streams of Sinos River watershed. Virus recovery was assayed from known virus concentrations measured in experimentally contaminated raw and ultrapure water (MilliQ®). Recovery rates ranged from 270% in raw water to 15,000% in ultrapure water. In a second step, a qPCR coupled to a previous passage in cells, demonstrated more analytical sensitivity when compared to samples assayed without a previous passage in cell cultures. HAV genome was detected in only 1 of 84 samples analyzed, pointing to a very low occurrence of HAV in water samples in the studied region. These findings are remarkable, since no more than 5% of the domestic sewage in this area is treated pointing to a low occurrence of HAV in the population living nearby during the study period

Verification of the influence of loading and mortar coating thickness on resistance to high temperatures due to fire on load-bearing masonries with clay tiles

Masonry has been widely used as a construction method. However, there is a lack of information on its fire behavior due to the multitude of variables that could influence this method. Thispaperaimedtoidentifytheinfluenceofloadingandmortarcoatingthicknessonthefirebehavior of masonry. Hence, six masonries made of clay tiles laid with mortar were evaluated. The mortar coatinghadathicknessof25mmonthefacenotexposedtohightemperatures,whilethefire-exposed face had thicknesses of 0, 15, and 25 mm. For each mortar coating thickness, two specimens were tested, with and without loading of 10 tf/m. The real-scale specimens were subjected to the standard ISO 834 fire curve for four hours, during which the properties of stability, airtightness, and thermal insulation were assessed. Results showed that loaded specimens yielded smaller deformations than unloadedones. Samplesthatlackedmortarcoatingonthefire-exposedfaceunderwentfireresistance decreaseof27.5%,whiletheoneswith15mmdecreasedby58.1%,andtheoneswith25mmdecreased by 41.0%. As mortar coating thickness increased, the plane deformations decreased from 40 mm to 29 mm and the thermal insulation properties of the walls improved significantly. For specimens with mortarcoatingthicknessof25mm,theloadapplicationresultedinareductionof23.8%ofthethermal insulation, while the unloaded specimen showed a decrease of 43.3%, as well as a modification of its fire-resistance rating

Evaluating steel fiber‐reinforced self‐consolidating concrete performance

The fiber‐reinforced self‐compacting concrete (FR‐SCC) is considered a high‐performance material, clustering characteristics of SCC combined with steel fibers. This paper assessed fresh and hardened state properties of a reference SCC and a FR‐SCC with fibers of three types and three quantities of reinforcement, totalizing 10 mixtures. Fresh state properties of the mixture were evaluated through the tests of slump‐flow, flow rate, filling ability, plastic viscosity by V‐funnel, passing ability by J‐ring and by L‐box; and hardened properties comprised compressive strength, flexural strength, and flexural toughness. Overall, it was observed that increasing the amount and length of fibers hindered the mixture workability. Also, the flexural strength and flexural toughness increased as the length and the amount of fibers increased. Regarding mechanical properties, it was not possible to identify an equivalence between the types of fibers evaluated and the compressive strength of mixtures. The flexural was proportional to the amount of fibers, with increases of up to 30% for concretes with fibers

Environmental assessment of a stream located in Novo Hamburgo, RS

The Luiz Rau stream is one of the main tributaries of the lower reaches of the Sinos River basin, and receives a large part of the city's domestic waste, being recognized by its typical odor and its dark coloration. Thus, the objective of the study was to evaluate the water quality of this water resource. For this, physical-chemical and microbiological analyzes of water were carried out, and in order to better support these results, the Rapid Habitat Assessment Protocol (RAP) was applied at the same sampling site. The results showed values of coliforms, BOD and OD above the limits established by current legislation. A high caffeine value was also identified in the collected sample, which characterizes the presence of domestic discharge in the water. The RAP revealed the presence of anthropic interference at the site, corroborating with the results obtained in the quantitative analysis of the sample. However, other studies are necessary to better evaluate the water quality of this stream

SOLIDÃO, ESTRATÉGIAS DE CUIDADO À SAÚDE DO IDOSO E O ENVELHECIMENTO SAUDÁVEL EM TEMPOS DE PANDEMIA

Introdução: O desenvolvimento de estratégias de cuidado à saúde do idoso em tempos de pandemia inclui mediação por Tecnologias Digitais de Informação e Comunicação (TICs) em redes sociais, educação digital, telessaúde, entre outras. Objetivo: Relatar a experiência de um projeto de extensão para o desenvolvimento de educação em saúde sobre COVID-19, utilizando TICs no cuidado à saúde do idoso, promoção do envelhecimento saudável e prevenção dos impactos negativos da solidão durante a pandemia do SARS-CoV-2. Método: Trata-se de estudo exploratório-descritivo, tipo relato de experiência, sobre projeto de extensão “Brasil sem Corona”, desenvolvido por discentes e docentes do curso de medicina, em Caicó-RN, no período de março a outubro de 2020, integrando resultados institucionais de pesquisa, inovação tecnológica e extensão em contexto pandêmico. Resultados: O projeto cumpriu seus objetivos, como promoção da saúde do idoso de forma qualificada e humanizada, utilizando meio de comunicação popularizado em tempos de distanciamento social. Acrescenta-se aspecto formativo para os estudantes, com desenvolvimento de habilidades de comunicação, pesquisa, levantamento de evidências e engajamento estudantil. Conclusão: O envolvimento discente, publicação de capítulos de livros, comunicação científica em eventos são indicadores da importância do projeto estar listado entre as boas práticas na área da educação médica na pandemia

O Uso de Inibidores de SGLT2 no Tratamento de Pacientes Portadores de Insuficiência Cardíaca

This article addresses the use of SGLT2 inhibitors in the treatment of heart failure. Objective: Patients with IC and diabetes mellitus (DM) had a reduction in hospitalizations for IC after using SGLT2, improved glycemic control and, consequently, improved health status. However, the biological mechanisms of SGLT2 in treating left ventricular ejection fraction are uncertain. Methods: Based on bibliographic research of articles with the descriptors "SGLT2" and "Heart Failure". Data were obtained without language limitations from MEDLINE via PubMed, Lilacs and SciELO. Results: Studies such as DECLARE-TIMI 5814, EMPEROR-REDUCED, DAPA-HF, CANVAS, EMPEROR-PRESERVED and DELIVER were found, whereby SGLT2 proved to be effective in reducing hospitalizations and cardiovascular deaths from HF, whether patients have or not from DM. Concomitantly, there was an improvement in symptoms, cardiac efficiency and cardiac subsidy. Conclusions: Studies on the mechanisms of SGLT2 are still needed, however, benefits are shown for HF associated or not with DM, providing a reduction in hospitalizations due to HF and cardiovascular mortality, an increase in quality of life and a better prognosis, with safety, good tolerance and low rate of adverse effects.Este artigo aborda o uso de inibidores de SGLT2 no tratamento da insuficiência cardíaca. Introdução: Pacientes com IC e diabetes mellitus (DM) apresentaram redução das hospitalizações por IC após uso de SGLT2, melhora no controle glicêmico e, consequentemente, do estado de saúde. Entretanto, são incertos os mecanismos biológicos do SGLT2 ao se tratar de fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo. Objetivo: identificar as evidências disponíveis sobre a utilização de inibidores de SGLT2 para tratamento de pacientes portadores de insuficiência cardíaca. Métodos: Baseado na investigação bibliográfica de artigos com os descritores "SGLT2" e "Insuficiência Cardíaca". Os dados foram obtidos sem limitação de idioma a partir do MEDLINE via PubMed, Lilacs e SciELO. Resultados: Foram encontrados estudos como DECLARE-TIMI 5814, EMPEROR-REDUCED, DAPA-HF, CANVAS, EMPEROR-PRESERVED e DELIVER, pelo qual SGLT2 se mostrou eficaz na diminuição de hospitalizações e mortes cardiovasculares oriundos da IC, sendo os pacientes portadores ou não de DM. Concomitantemente, observou-se correlação com a melhora dos sintomas, da eficiência cardíaca e do débito cardíaco. Conclusões: Ainda são necessários estudos sobre mecanismos do SGLT2, contudo, apresentou-se benéfico para IC associada ou não a DM, apresentando redução de internações por IC e mortalidade cardiovascular, aumento da qualidade de vida e melhor prognóstico, com segurança, boa tolerância e baixa taxa de efeitos adversos

Homozygous Inactivating Mutation In Nanos3 In Two Sisters With Primary Ovarian Insufficiency.

Despite the increasing understanding of female reproduction, the molecular diagnosis of primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) is seldom obtained. The RNA-binding protein NANOS3 poses as an interesting candidate gene for POI since members of the Nanos family have an evolutionarily conserved function in germ cell development and maintenance by repressing apoptosis. We performed mutational analysis of NANOS3 in a cohort of 85 Brazilian women with familial or isolated POI, presenting with primary or secondary amenorrhea, and in ethnically-matched control women. A homozygous p.Glu120Lys mutation in NANOS3 was identified in two sisters with primary amenorrhea. The substituted amino acid is located within the second C2HC motif in the conserved zinc finger domain of NANOS3 and in silico molecular modelling suggests destabilization of protein-RNA interaction. In vitro analyses of apoptosis through flow cytometry and confocal microscopy show that NANOS3 capacity to prevent apoptosis was impaired by this mutation. The identification of an inactivating missense mutation in NANOS3 suggests a mechanism for POI involving increased primordial germ cells (PGCs) apoptosis during embryonic cell migration and highlights the importance of NANOS proteins in human ovarian biology.201478746

The 2023 Latin America report of the Lancet Countdown on health and climate change: the imperative for health-centred climate-resilient development

In 2023, a series of climatological and political events unfolded, partly driving forward the global climate and health agenda while simultaneously exposing important disparities and vulnerabilities to climate-related events. On the policy front, a significant step forward was marked by the inaugural Health Day at COP28, acknowledging the profound impacts of climate change on health. However, the first-ever Global Stocktake showed an important gap between the current progress and the targets outlined in the Paris Agreement, underscoring the urgent need for further and decisive action. From a Latin American perspective, some questions arise: How do we achieve the change that is needed? How to address the vulnerabilities to climate change in a region with longstanding social inequities? How do we promote intersectoral collaboration to face a complex problem such as climate change? The debate is still ongoing, and in many instances, it is just starting. The renamed regional centre Lancet Countdown Latin America (previously named Lancet Countdown South America) expanded its geographical scope adding Mexico and five Central American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Panama, as a response to the need for stronger collaboration in a region with significant social disparities, including research capacities and funding. The centre is an independent and multidisciplinary collaboration that tracks the links between health and climate change in Latin America, following the global Lancet Countdown’s methodologies and five domains. The Lancet Countdown Latin America work hinges on the commitment of 23 regional academic institutions, United Nations agencies, and 34 researchers who generously contribute their time and expertise. Building from the first report, the 2023 report of the Lancet Countdown Latin America, presents 34 indicators that track the relationship between health and climate change up to 2022, aiming at providing evidence to public decisionmaking with the purpose of improving the health and wellbeing of Latin American populations and reducing social inequities through climate actions focusing on health. This report shows that Latin American populations continue to observe a growing exposure to changing climatic conditions. A warming trend has been observed across all countries in Latin America, with severe direct impacts. In 2022, people were exposed to ambient temperatures, on average, 0.38 ◦C higher than in 1986–2005, with Paraguay experiencing the highest anomaly (+1.9 ◦C), followed by Argentina (+1.2 ◦C) and Uruguay (+0.9 ◦C) (indicator 1.1.1). In 2013–2022, infants were exposed to 248% more heatwave days and people over 65 years old were exposed to 271% more heatwave days than in 1986–2005 (indicator 1.1.2). Also, compared to 1991–2000, in 2013–2022, there were 256 and 189 additional annual hours per person, during which ambient heat posed at least moderate and high risk of heat stress during light outdoor physical activity in Latin America, respectively (indicator 1.1.3). Finally, the region had a 140% increase in heat-related mortality from 2000–2009 to 2013–2022 (indicator 1.1.4). Changes in ecosystems have led to an increased risk of wildfires, exposing individuals to very or extremely high fire danger for more extended periods (indicator 1.2.1). Additionally, the transmission potential for dengue by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes has risen by 54% from 1951–1960 to 2013–2022 (indicator 1.3), which aligns with the recent outbreaks and increasing dengue cases observed across Latin America in recent months. Based on the 2023 report of the Lancet Countdown Latin America, there are three key messages that Latin America needs to further explore and advance for a health-centred climate-resilient development. Latin American countries require intersectoral public policies that simultaneously increase climate resilience, reduce social inequities, improve population health, and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The findings show that adaptation policies in Latin America remain weak, with a pressing need for robust vulnerability and adaptation (V&A) assessments to address climate risks effectively. Unfortunately, such assessments are scarce. Up to 2021, Brazil is the only country that has completed and officially reported a V&A to the 2021 Global Survey conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO). Argentina, Guatemala, and Panama have also conducted them, but they have not been reported (indicator 2.1.1). Similarly, efforts in developing and implementing Health National Adaptation Plans (HNAPs) are varied and limited in scope. Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay are the only countries that have an HNAP (indicator 2.1.2). Moreover, self-reported city-level climate change risk assessments are very limited in the region (indicator 2.1.3). The collaboration between meteorological and health sectors remains insufficient, with only Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and Guatemala self-reporting some level of integration (indicator 2.2.1), hindering comprehensive responses to climate-related health risks in the region. Additionally, despite the urgent need for action, there has been minimal progress in increasing urban greenspaces across the region since 2015, with only Colombia, Nicaragua, and Venezuela showing slight improvements (indicator 2.2.2). Compounding these challenges is the decrease in funding for climate change adaptation projects in Latin America, as evidenced by the 16% drop in funds allocated by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) in 2022 compared to 2021. Alarmingly, none of the funds approved in 2022 were directed toward climate change and health projects, highlighting a critical gap in addressing health-related climate risks (indicator 2.2.3). From a vulnerability perspective, the Mosquito Risk Index (MoRI) indicates an overall decrease in severe mosquitoborne disease risk in the region due to improvements in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) (indicator 2.3.1). Brazil and Paraguay were the only countries that showed an increase in this indicator. It is worth noting that significant temporal variation within and between countries still persists, suggesting inadequate preparedness for climate-related changes. Overall, population health is not solely determined by the health sector, nor are climate policies a sole responsibility of the environmental sector. More and stronger intersectoral collaboration is needed to pave development pathways that consider solid adaptation to climate change, greater reductions of GHG emissions, and that increase social equity and population health. These policies involve sectors such as finance, transport, energy, housing, health, and agriculture, requiring institutional structures and policy instruments that allow long-term intersectoral collaboration. Latin American countries need to accelerate an energy transition that prioritises people’s health and wellbeing, reduces energy poverty and air pollution, and maximises health and economic gains. In Latin America, there is a notable disparity in energy transition, with electricity generation from coal increasing by an average of 2.6% from 1991–2000 to 2011–2020, posing a challenge to efforts aimed at phasing out coal (indicator 3.1.1). However, this percentage increase is conservative as it may not include all the fossil fuels for thermoelectric electricity generation, especially during climate-related events and when hydropower is affected (Panel 4). Yet, renewable energy sources have been growing, increasing by an average of 5.7% during the same period. Access to clean fuels for cooking remains a concern, with 46.3% of the rural population in Central America and 23.3% in South America lacking access to clean fuels in 2022 (indicator 3.1.2). It is crucial to highlight the concerning overreliance on fossil fuels, particularly liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), as a primary cooking fuel. A significant majority of Latin American populations, approximately 74.6%, rely on LPG for cooking. Transitioning to cleaner heating and cooking alternatives could also have a health benefit by reducing household air pollution-related mortality. Fossil fuels continue to dominate road transport energy in Latin America, accounting for 96%, although some South American countries are increasing the use of biofuels (indicator 3.1.3). Premature mortality attributable to fossil-fuel-derived PM2.5 has shown varied trends across countries, increasing by 3.9% from 2005 to 2020 across Latin America, which corresponds to 123.5 premature deaths per million people (indicator 3.2.1). The Latin American countries with the highest premature mortality rate attributable to PM2.5 in 2020 were Chile, Peru, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, and Paraguay. Of the total premature deaths attributable to PM2.5 in 2020, 19.1% was from transport, 12.3% from households, 11.6% from industry, and 11% from agriculture. From emission and capture of GHG perspective, commodity-driven deforestation and expansion of agricultural land remain major contributors to tree cover loss in the region, accounting for around 80% of the total loss (indicator 3.3). Additionally, animal-based food production in Latin America contributes 85% to agricultural CO2 equivalent emissions, with Argentina, Brazil, Panama, Paraguay, and Uruguay ranking highest in per capita emissions (indicator 3.4.1). From a health perspective, in 2020, approximately 870,000 deaths were associated with imbalanced diets, of which 155,000 (18%) were linked to high intake of red and processed meat and dairy products (indicator 3.4.2). Energy transition in Latin America is still in its infancy, and as a result, millions of people are currently exposed to dangerous levels of air pollution and energy poverty (i.e., lack of access to essential energy sources or services). As shown in this report, the levels of air pollution, outdoors and indoors, are a significant problem in the whole region, with marked disparities between urban and rural areas. In 2022, Peru, Chile, Mexico, Guatemala, Colombia, El Salvador, Brazil, Uruguay, Honduras, Panama, and Nicaragua were in the top 100 most polluted countries globally. Transitioning to cleaner sources of energy, phasing out fossil fuels, and promoting better energy efficiency in the industrial and housing sectors are not only climate mitigation measures but also huge health and economic opportunities for more prosperous and healthy societies. Latin American countries need to increase climate finance through permanent fiscal commitments and multilateral development banks to pave climate-resilient development pathways. Climate change poses significant economic costs, with investments in mitigation and adaptation measures progressing slowly. In 2022, economic losses due to weather-related extreme events in Latin America were US$15.6 billion –an amount mainly driven by floods and landslides in Brazil–representing 0.28 America’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) (indicator 4.1.1). In contrast to high-income countries, most of these losses lack insurance coverage, imposing a substantial financial strain on affected families and governments. Heat-related mortality among individuals aged 65 and older in Latin America reached alarming levels, with losses exceeding the equivalent of the average income of 451,000 people annually (indicator 4.1.2). Moreover, the total potential income loss due to heat-related labour capacity reduction amounted to 1.34 disproportionately affecting the agriculture and construction sectors (indicator 4.1.3). Additionally, the economic toll of premature mortality from air pollution was substantial, equivalent to a significant portion of regional GDP (0.61 On a positive note, clean energy investments in the region increased in 2022, surpassing fossil fuel investments. However, in 2020, all countries reviewed continued to offer net-negative carbon prices, revealing fossil fuel subsidies totalling US$23 billion. Venezuela had the highest net subsidies relative to current health expenditure (123%), followed by Argentina (10.5%), Bolivia (10.3%), Ecuador (8.3%), and Chile (5.6%) (indicator 4.2.1). Fossil fuel-based energy is today more expensive than renewable energy. Fossil fuel burning drives climate change and damages the environment on which people depend, and air pollution derived from the burning of fossil fuels causes seven million premature deaths each year worldwide, along with a substantial burden of disease. Transitioning to sustainable, zero-emission energy sources, fostering healthier food systems, and expediting adaptation efforts promise not only environmental benefits but also significant economic gains. However, to implement mitigation and adaptation policies that also improve social wellbeing and prosperity, stronger and solid financial systems are needed. Climate finance in Latin American countries is scarce and strongly depends on political cycles, which threatens adequate responses to the current and future challenges. Progress on the climate agenda is lagging behind the urgent pace required. While engagement with the intersection of health and climate change is increasing, government involvement remains inadequate. Newspaper coverage of health and climate change has been on the rise, peaking in 2022, yet the proportion of climate change articles discussing health has declined over time (indicator 5.1). Although there has been significant growth in the number of scientific papers focusing on Latin America, it still represents less than 4% of global publications on the subject (indicator 5.3). And, while health was mentioned by most Latin American countries at the UN General Debate in 2022, only a few addressed the intersection of health and climate change, indicating a lack of awareness at the governmental level (indicator 5.4). The 2023 Lancet Countdown Latin America report underscores the cascading and compounding health impacts of anthropogenic climate change, marked by increased exposure to heatwaves, wildfires, and vector-borne diseases. Specifically, for Latin America, the report emphasises three critical messages: the urgent action to implement intersectoral public policies that enhance climate resilience across the region; the pressing need to prioritise an energy transition that focuses on health co-benefits and wellbeing, and lastly, that need for increasing climate finance by committing to sustained fiscal efforts and engaging with multilateral development banks. By understanding the problems, addressing the gaps, and taking decisive action, Latin America can navigate the challenges of climate change, fostering a more sustainable and resilient future for its population. Spanish and Portuguese translated versions of this Summary can be found in Appendix B and C, respectively. The full translated report in Spanish is available in Appendix D

estudos artísticos

A memória precisa dos que a motivam e dos que a visitam. Uns, criadores no seu tempo, escrevem as suas delicadas articulações sem saber o seu destino. Outros, nos tempos vindouros, tentam captar a intentio auctoris sabendo que ela se esconde no tecido da criação, nos processos dos artistas. Estes talvez possam ter um ponto de vista que acrescenta algo de novo á matéria do conhecimento. A cultura, a memória dos outros, é também a nossa memória, aqui considerada em perigo. Para salvaguardar a memória pode-se revisitá-la, registá-la, criticá-la, revivê-la. Os espaços discursivos não são assim tantos, mas decerto que a Revista Gama é um deles: aqui se guardam visitas a criadores, se anotam e registam, aqui se resiste. Assim se convocam os artigos que compõem este número da revista Gama. O objetivo é presente: criar discursos de salvaguarda das propostas artísticas mais ou menos dispersas, mais ou menos em perigo, mais ou menos em desligamento. São reativações, renovações de olhares, releiturasinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio