RESUMO

Health personnel (HP) have been universally recognized as especially susceptible to COVID-19. In Mexico, our home country, HP has one of the highest death rates from the disease. From the beginning of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, an office for initial attention for HP and a call center were established at a COVID-19 national reference pediatric hospital, aimed at early detection of COVID-19 cases and stopping local transmission. The detection and call center implementation and operation, and tracing methodology are described here. A total of 1,042 HP were evaluated, with 221 positive cases identified (7.7% of all HP currently working and 26% of the HP tested). Community contagion was most prevalent (46%), followed by other HP (27%), household (14%), and hospitalized patients (13%). Clusters and contact network analysis are discussed. This is one of the first reports that address the details of the implementation process of contact tracing in a pediatric hospital from the perspective of a hybrid hospital with COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 areas.

RESUMO

The Abrolhos bank is home of the richest coral reef system of the Southwestern Atlantic, where endemic coral species are found. It has been reported that Abrolhos' corals are under intense stress due to increasing of Marine Heat Waves during the last decades. Additionally, anthropic interventions along the adjacent coastal regions are a factor of concern since they contribute to the increase in the sediment load and to organic debris input in the reef domain. In November 2015, the collapse of the Fundão mining tailings dam resulted in the release of approximately 50 million m3 of iron oxide and quartz-rich slurry into the Doce River. Aiming at using a fingerprint of the tailings and to assess the presence of traces of the Fundão dam material from this event on the Abrolhos bank, this work presents new 87Sr/86Sr and 143Nd/144Nd isotope ratios of marine suspended sediment samples collected between 2016 and 2020 from a network of sediment traps throughout the reef and complementary suspended material at sea. In parallel, we monitored meteo-oceanographic parameters and modeled surface marine currents as an attempt to identify the sediment transport between the Doce River mouth and Abrolhos bank. The r isotopes were used as provenance proxies based on the fact that minerals and rocks tend to have specific isotopic signatures reflecting their own geological derivation. In this context, the isotopic ratios of various potential regional sources for the sedimentation in Abrolhos bank were evaluated. Our monitoring and isotopic measurements indicate that Doce River signatures are detected at Abrolhos bank, following the seasonal Doce River discharge at sea. Isotopic signature of Doce River at Abrolhos bank was also observed during the austral winter (July-August) when cold fronts migrate at the Brazilian coast with higher frequency and energy.

Assuntos

Antozoários , Colapso Estrutural , Animais , Brasil , Recifes de Corais , Sedimentos Geológicos , Isótopos

RESUMO

Class-I restricted T cell-associated molecule (CRTAM) is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily, and it is closely related to nectin-like protein. CRTAM is expressed in activated CD8 T cells, NKT cells, NK cells and in a subpopulation CD4 T cells. In this study, we produce as recombinant proteins, the Ig-domains of CRTAM (IgV-IgC), the IgV, and the IgC. These proteins were successfully purified in the soluble fraction only if the stalk region was included. The recombinant CRTAM recognizes its ligand nectin-like 2 in a cell-free system. We also demonstrate that the IgC domain of CRTAM is recognized by the anti-hCRTAM monoclonal antibody C8 with a 0.62 nM affinity. In conclusion, the stalk region of CRTAM provides solubility for the expression of its Ig-domains as recombinant proteins.

Assuntos

Molécula 1 de Adesão Celular/genética , Sistema Livre de Células/química , Domínios de Imunoglobulina/genética , Imunoglobulinas/genética , Animais , Anticorpos Monoclonais/biossíntese , Anticorpos Monoclonais/química , Sítios de Ligação , Molécula 1 de Adesão Celular/imunologia , Molécula 1 de Adesão Celular/metabolismo , Clonagem Molecular , Escherichia coli/genética , Escherichia coli/metabolismo , Feminino , Expressão Gênica , Vetores Genéticos/química , Vetores Genéticos/metabolismo , Humanos , Hibridomas/química , Imunoglobulinas/imunologia , Imunoglobulinas/metabolismo , Células Jurkat , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos BALB C , Ligação Proteica , Proteínas Recombinantes/genética , Proteínas Recombinantes/imunologia , Proteínas Recombinantes/metabolismo

RESUMO

Purpose This research analyzes the cases of five women living along the U.S.-Mexico border who overcame challenges during pregnancy or parenting with the support of a federally funded Healthy Start program, designed to eliminate disparities in perinatal health in disadvantaged communities with the poorest birth outcomes. Study objectives were to: (1) identify common factors that affect healthy maternal and child outcomes for Healthy Start participants; and (2) identify a shared definition of what success looks like for Healthy Start participants and opportunities for further study. Description Five border Healthy Start sites (CA, AZ, NM, and TX) contributed case stories from participants who had overcome access barriers to achieve positive pregnancy, birth or parenting outcomes. Case studies were collected using review of successful participant cases and non-structured interviews by Healthy Start staff, and analyzed using participatory methods and thematic analysis. Assessment Common barriers were: lack of insurance; isolation or unsupportive family relationships; timidness and lack of self-advocacy. Healthy Start programs have been successful in securing supportive relationships through the community health worker model; reducing isolation; obtaining insurance access and a medical home; building self-advocacy skills; and supporting participants to pursue their goals. Conclusion Identified barriers are in line with available literature on health care access and provide a U.S.-Mexico border-specific view. The Healthy Start model is effective at helping women to overcome barriers. Learning from this research may contribute to development of shared measures for more impactful evaluation of Healthy Start and similar programs.

Assuntos

Acessibilidade aos Serviços de Saúde/estatística & dados numéricos , Programas Gente Saudável/organização & administração , Mães , Assistência Centrada no Paciente , Determinantes Sociais da Saúde , Adulto , Criança , Agentes Comunitários de Saúde , Feminino , Humanos , Entrevistas como Assunto , México , Avaliação de Resultados em Cuidados de Saúde , Poder Familiar , Parto , Assistência Perinatal , Período Pós-Parto , Pobreza , Gravidez , Avaliação de Programas e Projetos de Saúde , Pesquisa Qualitativa , Estados Unidos

RESUMO

Background First trimester prenatal care (FTPNC) is associated with improved birth outcomes. U.S.-Mexico border Hispanic women have lower FTPNC than non-border or non-Hispanic women. This study aimed to identify (1) what demographic, knowledge and care-seeking factors influence FTPNC among Hispanic women in border counties served by five Healthy Start sites, and (2) what FTPNC barriers may be unique to this target population. Healthy Starts work to eliminate disparities in perinatal health in areas with high poverty and poor birth outcomes. Methods 403 Hispanic women of reproductive age in border communities of California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas were surveyed on knowledge and behaviors related to prenatal care (PNC) and basic demographic information. Chi square analyses and logistic regressions were used to identify important relationships. Results Chi square analyses revealed that primiparous women were significantly less likely to start FTPNC than multiparous women (χ2 = 6.8372, p = 0.0089). Women with accurate knowledge about FTPNC were more likely to obtain FTPNC (χ2 = 29.280, p < .001) and more likely to have seen a doctor within the past year (χ2 = 5.550, p = .018). Logistic regression confirmed that multiparity was associated with FTPNC and also that living in Texas was negatively associated with FTPNC (R2 = 0.066, F(9,340) = 2.662, p = .005). Among 27 women with non-FTPNC, barriers included late pregnancy recognition (n = 19) and no medical insurance (n = 5). Conclusions This study supports research that first time pregnancies have lower FTPNC, and demonstrated a strong association between delayed PNC and late pregnancy recognition. Strengthened investments in preconception planning could improve FTPNC in this population.

Assuntos

Acessibilidade aos Serviços de Saúde/estatística & dados numéricos , Aceitação pelo Paciente de Cuidados de Saúde/estatística & dados numéricos , Complicações na Gravidez/prevenção & controle , Primeiro Trimestre da Gravidez , Cuidado Pré-Natal/estatística & dados numéricos , Adolescente , Adulto , Arizona/epidemiologia , California/epidemiologia , Feminino , Hispânico ou Latino/estatística & dados numéricos , Humanos , México , New Mexico/epidemiologia , Gravidez , Texas/epidemiologia , Estados Unidos , Saúde da Mulher , Adulto Jovem

RESUMO

Small GTPases are signalling molecules that regulate important cellular processes. GTPases are deactivated by GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs). While human GAPs have been intensively studied, no GAP has yet been characterized in Entamoeba histolytica. In this study, we identified and characterized a novel nucleocytoplasmic RhoGAP in E. histolytica termed EhRhoGAPnc. In silico analyses of the domain structure revealed a previously undescribed peptide region within the carboxy-terminal region of EhRhoGAPnc capable of interacting with phosphatidic acid and phosphatidylinositol 3,5-bisphosphate. The full structural GAP domain showed increase GAP activity compared with the minimum region able to display GAP activity, as analysed both by experimental assays and molecular dynamics simulations. Furthermore, we identified amino acid residues that promote interactions between EhRhoGAPnc and its target GTPases EhRacC and EhRacD. Immunofluorescence studies revealed that EhRhoGAPnc colocalized with EhRacC and EhRacD during uroid formation but not during erythrophagocytosis. Interestingly, during erythrophagocytosis of red blood cells, EhRhoGAPnc colocalized with phosphatidic acid and phosphatidylinositol 3,5-bisphosphate. Overexpression of EhRhoGAPnc in E. histolytica led to inhibition of actin adhesion plate formation, migration, adhesion of E. histolytica to MDCK cells and consequently to an impairment of the cytopathic activity.

Assuntos

Entamoeba histolytica/patogenicidade , Proteínas Ativadoras de GTPase/fisiologia , Proteínas de Protozoários/fisiologia , Proteínas rac de Ligação ao GTP/metabolismo , Sequência de Aminoácidos , Sítios de Ligação , Núcleo Celular/metabolismo , Sequência Conservada , Citoplasma/metabolismo , Entamoeba histolytica/enzimologia , Eritrócitos/parasitologia , Proteínas Ativadoras de GTPase/química , Humanos , Simulação de Dinâmica Molecular , Fagocitose , Transporte Proteico , Proteínas de Protozoários/química

RESUMO

In the present paper, lithium was determined in river sediment using slurry sampling and electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ET AAS) after L'vov platform coating with zirconium (as a permanent chemical modifier). The performance of this modifier and its distribution on the L'vov platform after different heating cycles were evaluated using synchrotron radiation X-ray fluorescence (SRXRF) and imaging scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. The analytical conditions for lithium determination in river sediment slurries were also investigated and the best conditions were obtained employing 1300 and 2300 degrees C for pyrolysis and atomization temperatures, respectively. In addition, 100mg of sediment samples were prepared using 4.0moll(-1) HNO(3). The Zr-coating permitted lithium determination with good precision and accuracy after 480 heating cycles using the same platform for slurry samples. The sediment samples were collected from five different points of the Cachoeira river, São Paulo, Brazil. The detection and quantification limits were, respectively, 0.07 and 0.23mugl(-1).