Desafios e adaptações de uma Liga Acadêmica de Clínica Médica à pandemia de Covid-19: um relato de experiência

INTRODUÇÃO: A pandemia de coronavírus trouxe impactos socioculturais, econômicos, políticos e epidemiológicos em escala global, impondo mudanças nos hábitos e rotinas. Com o isolamento social imposto pelas autoridades, houve alteração na oferta dos cursos de graduação, interferindo diretamente na rotina acadêmica. OBJETIVOS: Apresentar os desafios e adaptações de uma Liga Acadêmica de Clínica Médica (LACM) ao período de pandemia de Coronavírus no Brasil. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Esse artigo baseia-se na análise de uma experiência de atividade extracurricular promovida pela LACM frente ao cenário de isolamento social imposto pela pandemia. RESULTADOS: Com a inviabilização da prática clínica, ao participar das discussões de casos propostas pela LACM, percebe-se que o estudante mantém um papel ativo no seu processo de aprendizagem. Além disso, as atividades estimularam a manutenção de hábitos favoráveis para o estudante como a integração com colegas, o desenvolvimento de habilidades pessoais e a manutenção de uma rotina acadêmica, diminuindo o tempo ocioso. CONCLUSÃO: Ao dispor de ferramentas tecnológicas, a LACM não só estimulou o desenvolvimento do raciocínio clínico necessário para a atuação do médico generalista, como também impactou positivamente no bem-estar dos estudantes durante a período de pandemia de Coronavírus no Brasil

Caracterização da microbiota associada a formigas capturadas em ambiente hospitalar

RESUMO: Inúmeros veículos de transmissão de microrganismos são conhecidos e tem seu papel na cadeia de infecção bem esclarecido dentro da comunidade científica, como os ratos, piolhos, pulgas e os mosquitos. Entretanto, formigas são vetores pouco considerados como fonte de infecção, mas possuem a mesma importância, principalmente quando se fala de infecção hospitalar. Diversos pesquisadores já demonstraram que esses artrópodes realizam simbiose com bactérias, sendo, portanto, vetores mecânicos destas. A partir disso, infecções nosocomiais se tornam possíveis em consequência do fato de as formigas circularem livremente pelas instalações hospitalares, entrando em contato com material infectado e logo depois com pacientes, medicamentos, aparelhos e utensílios, sala de Unidade de Terapia Intensiva (UTI), entre outros, disseminando os microrganismos patogênicos. O objetivo deste trabalho é analisar quais microrganismos potencialmente patogênicos são carreados nos corpos de formigas em dois hospitais da cidade de Anápolis – Goiás. O estudo será realizado a partir da captura das formigas em tubos de ensaio, após essa etapa será realizado o isolamento e identificação de bactérias no laboratório de microbiologia da UniEvangélica. As bactérias isoladas, então, serão submetidas ao teste de antibiograma por difusão em disco. Assim, pretende-se contribuir para o reconhecimento do mecanismo vetorial mediado por formigas em ambiente hospitalar e identificar a relação entre os microrganismos carreados e seu comportamento frente ao tratamento antibiótico padrão, além de fornecer respaldo científico para elaboração de novos procedimentos de segurança por controle de vetores em ambiente hospitalar. &nbsp

Repercussões epidemiológicas da Demência no Brasil: um perfil dos últimos 5 anos

Introduction: Dementia is a syndrome characterized by persistent cognitive deficits that affect daily activities, especially in the elderly. Its incidence has increased with population aging. Objective: To investigate the epidemiological repercussions of dementia in Brazil in the last 5 years. Methods: Descriptive observational study based on data from the Hospital Information System (SIH) of SUS and bibliographic databases. The number of hospitalizations and deaths due to dementia between 2018 and 2022 were analyzed. Results: The Southeast region concentrated the highest number of hospitalizations due to dementia (56.22%), due to the high population and elderly density. The most affected age group was 80 years or older (26.65%), reflecting aging and risks associated with dementia. Males showed a slight predominance in hospitalizations (51.57%), possibly due to risk factors. Urgent care prevailed (72.48%) due to the progressive nature of the disease and acute complications. As for deaths, 54.65% occurred in the age group of 80 years or older, related to greater vulnerability at this age. Conclusion: The study revealed significant patterns of the epidemiological repercussions of dementia in Brazil. These conclusions highlight the importance of preventive interventions and multidisciplinary management of dementia, as well as public health policies that address its complex health and social implications.Introdução: A demência é uma síndrome caracterizada por déficits cognitivos persistentes que afetam as atividades diárias, principalmente em idosos. Sua incidência tem aumentado com o envelhecimento populacional. Objetivo: Investigar as repercussões epidemiológicas da demência no Brasil nos últimos 5 anos. Métodos: Estudo observacional descritivo com base em dados do Sistema de Informações Hospitalares (SIH) do SUS e bases de dados bibliográficas. Foram analisados número de internações e óbitos por demência entre 2018 e 2022. Resultados: A região Sudeste concentrou o maior número de internações por demência (56,22%), devido à alta densidade populacional e idosa. A faixa etária mais afetada foi a de 80 anos ou mais (26,65%), refletindo o envelhecimento e riscos associados à demência. O sexo masculino apresentou ligeira predominância nas internações (51,57%), possivelmente devido a fatores de risco. O atendimento de urgência prevaleceu (72,48%) devido à natureza progressiva da doença e complicações agudas. Quanto aos óbitos, 54,65% ocorreram na faixa etária dos 80 anos ou mais, relacionados à maior vulnerabilidade nessa idade. Conclusão: O estudo revelou padrões significativos das repercussões epidemiológicas da demência no Brasil. Essas conclusões destacam a importância de intervenções preventivas e gerenciamento multidisciplinar da demência, além de políticas de saúde pública que abordem suas complexas implicações sociais e de saúde

Before Direct-Acting Antivirals for Hepatitis C Virus: Evaluation of Core Protein R70Q and L/C91M Substitutions in Chronically Infected Brazilian Patients Unresponsive to IFN and/or RBV

Although chronic hepatitis C has been effectively treated with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), the use of conventional therapy with peg-interferon (Peg-IFN) or (predominantly) ribavirin (RBV), remains widespread. R70Q/H and L/C91M amino acid substitutions in the hepatitis C virus (HCV) core protein may modulate responses to IFN and/or RBV, and are associated with cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), insulin resistance, and liver steatosis. We evaluated the R70Q/H and L/C91M substitutions, clinical and epidemiological profiles, and risk factors of Brazilian patients chronically infected with HCV subgenotypes 1a and 1b (HCV-GT1a and HCV-GT1b) unresponsive to IFN and/or RBV therapy. Sequencing and pyrosequencing analyses and sociodemographic and clinical predictive variables were used to assess the relationship between R70Q/H and L/C91M substitutions. Leukocyte counts, ALT levels, and ALT/AST ratios were significantly reduced in treated individuals, but more of these patients had advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis. L91M was more prevalent (19.7%), occurring only in HCV-GT1b, followed by R70Q/P (11.5%) and R70P (1.4%). R70Q/P exhibited higher mean AST, ALT, and GGT values, whereas L91M showed higher mean GGT values. Pyrosequencing of the L91M position revealed mutant subpopulations in 43.75% of samples

NEOTROPICAL XENARTHRANS: a data set of occurrence of xenarthran species in the Neotropics

Xenarthrans—anteaters, sloths, and armadillos—have essential functions for ecosystem maintenance, such as insect control and nutrient cycling, playing key roles as ecosystem engineers. Because of habitat loss and fragmentation, hunting pressure, and conflicts with domestic dogs, these species have been threatened locally, regionally, or even across their full distribution ranges. The Neotropics harbor 21 species of armadillos, 10 anteaters, and 6 sloths. Our data set includes the families Chlamyphoridae (13), Dasypodidae (7), Myrmecophagidae (3), Bradypodidae (4), and Megalonychidae (2). We have no occurrence data on Dasypus pilosus (Dasypodidae). Regarding Cyclopedidae, until recently, only one species was recognized, but new genetic studies have revealed that the group is represented by seven species. In this data paper, we compiled a total of 42,528 records of 31 species, represented by occurrence and quantitative data, totaling 24,847 unique georeferenced records. The geographic range is from the southern United States, Mexico, and Caribbean countries at the northern portion of the Neotropics, to the austral distribution in Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay. Regarding anteaters, Myrmecophaga tridactyla has the most records (n = 5,941), and Cyclopes sp. have the fewest (n = 240). The armadillo species with the most data is Dasypus novemcinctus (n = 11,588), and the fewest data are recorded for Calyptophractus retusus (n = 33). With regard to sloth species, Bradypus variegatus has the most records (n = 962), and Bradypus pygmaeus has the fewest (n = 12). Our main objective with Neotropical Xenarthrans is to make occurrence and quantitative data available to facilitate more ecological research, particularly if we integrate the xenarthran data with other data sets of Neotropical Series that will become available very soon (i.e., Neotropical Carnivores, Neotropical Invasive Mammals, and Neotropical Hunters and Dogs). Therefore, studies on trophic cascades, hunting pressure, habitat loss, fragmentation effects, species invasion, and climate change effects will be possible with the Neotropical Xenarthrans data set. Please cite this data paper when using its data in publications. We also request that researchers and teachers inform us of how they are using these data

Brazilian Flora 2020: Leveraging the power of a collaborative scientific network

International audienceThe shortage of reliable primary taxonomic data limits the description of biological taxa and the understanding of biodiversity patterns and processes, complicating biogeographical, ecological, and evolutionary studies. This deficit creates a significant taxonomic impediment to biodiversity research and conservation planning. The taxonomic impediment and the biodiversity crisis are widely recognized, highlighting the urgent need for reliable taxonomic data. Over the past decade, numerous countries worldwide have devoted considerable effort to Target 1 of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC), which called for the preparation of a working list of all known plant species by 2010 and an online world Flora by 2020. Brazil is a megadiverse country, home to more of the world's known plant species than any other country. Despite that, Flora Brasiliensis, concluded in 1906, was the last comprehensive treatment of the Brazilian flora. The lack of accurate estimates of the number of species of algae, fungi, and plants occurring in Brazil contributes to the prevailing taxonomic impediment and delays progress towards the GSPC targets. Over the past 12 years, a legion of taxonomists motivated to meet Target 1 of the GSPC, worked together to gather and integrate knowledge on the algal, plant, and fungal diversity of Brazil. Overall, a team of about 980 taxonomists joined efforts in a highly collaborative project that used cybertaxonomy to prepare an updated Flora of Brazil, showing the power of scientific collaboration to reach ambitious goals. This paper presents an overview of the Brazilian Flora 2020 and provides taxonomic and spatial updates on the algae, fungi, and plants found in one of the world's most biodiverse countries. We further identify collection gaps and summarize future goals that extend beyond 2020. Our results show that Brazil is home to 46,975 native species of algae, fungi, and plants, of which 19,669 are endemic to the country. The data compiled to date suggests that the Atlantic Rainforest might be the most diverse Brazilian domain for all plant groups except gymnosperms, which are most diverse in the Amazon. However, scientific knowledge of Brazilian diversity is still unequally distributed, with the Atlantic Rainforest and the Cerrado being the most intensively sampled and studied biomes in the country. In times of “scientific reductionism”, with botanical and mycological sciences suffering pervasive depreciation in recent decades, the first online Flora of Brazil 2020 significantly enhanced the quality and quantity of taxonomic data available for algae, fungi, and plants from Brazil. This project also made all the information freely available online, providing a firm foundation for future research and for the management, conservation, and sustainable use of the Brazilian funga and flora

Growing knowledge: an overview of Seed Plant diversity in Brazil

Abstract An updated inventory of Brazilian seed plants is presented and offers important insights into the country's biodiversity. This work started in 2010, with the publication of the Plants and Fungi Catalogue, and has been updated since by more than 430 specialists working online. Brazil is home to 32,086 native Angiosperms and 23 native Gymnosperms, showing an increase of 3% in its species richness in relation to 2010. The Amazon Rainforest is the richest Brazilian biome for Gymnosperms, while the Atlantic Rainforest is the richest one for Angiosperms. There was a considerable increment in the number of species and endemism rates for biomes, except for the Amazon that showed a decrease of 2.5% of recorded endemics. However, well over half of Brazillian seed plant species (57.4%) is endemic to this territory. The proportion of life-forms varies among different biomes: trees are more expressive in the Amazon and Atlantic Rainforest biomes while herbs predominate in the Pampa, and lianas are more expressive in the Amazon, Atlantic Rainforest, and Pantanal. This compilation serves not only to quantify Brazilian biodiversity, but also to highlight areas where there information is lacking and to provide a framework for the challenge faced in conserving Brazil's unique and diverse flora