Abstract Since the inception of COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a challenging race for the development of precise diagnostic tests. Specific SARS-CoV-2 serological assays are the main tools used to estimate the rate of past infections or herd immunity in epidemiological studies, in addition to being helpful in guiding public health management policies. In this study, an in-house ELISA based on the construct of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid (N) proteins, named rCoV2, rCoV4, and rCoV7, showed diagnostic performance for the detection of IgG antibodies. Sensitivity was evaluated in serum samples from patients with mild to moderate or severe COVID-19 infections, which were collected at different time points, while specificity was evaluated using pre-pandemic sera. In samples from mild to moderate cases obtained ≥16 days after the onset of symptoms, the sensitivities for rCoV2, rCoV4, and rCoV7 were 66.7%, 75%, and 77.8%, respectively. For samples from severe cases, the sensitivity was above 80% for all constructs. All proteins showed high specificity (94-98%). Overall, rCoV7 (C-terminus N-protein portion) showed better diagnostic performance, with 62.3% sensitivity in moderate and severe cases and 96.6% specificity. The SARS-CoV-2 ELISA using N-protein-based constructs could be a promisor tool for investigate the epidemiology of COVID-19 and monitor population-level serosurveillance. COVID19 COVID 19 COVID-1 pandemic tests SARSCoV2 SARSCoV SARS CoV 2 SARS-CoV- studies policies study inhouse house N (N rCoV2 rCoV rCoV4 antibodies points prepandemic pre sera 16 ≥1 symptoms 667 66 7 66.7% 75 75% 778 77 8 77.8% respectively 80 9498%. 9498 94 98% . 98 (94-98%) Overall Cterminus C terminus Nprotein protein portion 623 62 3 62.3 966 96 6 96.6 Nproteinbased populationlevel population level serosurveillance COVID1 1 COVID- SARS-CoV ≥ 66.7 77.8 9498% 949 9 (94-98% 62. 96. 66. 77. (94-98 (94-9 (94- (94 (9 (

ABSTRACT Introduction: Pulse wave velocity is used to diagnose central arterial stiffness (CAS) and quantify healthy vascular aging (HVA). Objective: To evaluate the CAS and HVA in elderly patients with systemic blood pressure levels classified as optimal/normal. Methods: A total of 102 patients without comorbidities and with systolic pressure (SP) < 120 mmHg and diastolic pressure (DP) < 80 mmHg were selected from the EVOPIU database (Pulse Wave Velocity of Elderly Individuals in an Urban area of Brazil). The carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (c-fPWV) and the central and peripheral pressures were evaluated in all patients. The patients were divided into four groups: G1: (n = 19, with c-fPWV < 7.6 m/s, without medication), G2 (n = 26, c-fPWV ≥ 7.6 m/s; without medication), G3 (n = 25, c-fPWV < 7.6 m/s with antihypertensive medication), and G4 (n = 32, c-fPWV ≥ 7.6 m/s with antihypertensive medication). Results: In our sample, 56.7% of patients had c-fPWV ≥ 7.6 m/s. The central systolic pressure in G1 [99 (10) mmHg] was lower than that found in the other three groups [vs. 112 (14) mmHg, 111 (15), 112 (20) mmHg; P < 0.05)]. Conclusion: Older people with optimal arterial blood pressure do not necessarily have HVA and could have c-fPWV values close to the limits established for CAS diagnosis. Introduction (CAS HVA. . (HVA) Objective optimalnormal normal optimal/normal Methods 10 SP (SP 12 DP (DP 8 Brazil. Brazil Brazil) carotidfemoral carotid femoral cfPWV c fPWV (c-fPWV G n 19 76 7 6 7. ms m s medication, medication , medication) 26 25 32 medication. Results sample 567 56 56.7 99 [9 (10 vs. vs [vs 11 14 (14 15, 15 (15) 20 (20 0.05. 005 0.05 0 05 0.05)] Conclusion diagnosis (HVA 1 2 3 5 56. 9 [ (1 (15 (2 00 0.0 0.05) ( 0.

RESUMO Introdução: A velocidade da onda de pulso é usada para diagnosticar a rigidez arterial central (RAC) e quantificar o envelhecimento vascular saudável (EVS). Objetivo: Avaliar a RAC e o EVS em pacientes idosos com níveis pressóricos sistêmicos classificados como ideais/normais. Métodos: Um total de 102 pacientes sem comorbidades e com pressão sistólica (PS) < 120 mmHg e pressão diastólica (PD) < 80 mmHg foram selecionados do banco de dados EVOPIU (Estudo da Velocidade de Onda de Pulso em Idosos em área Urbana no Brasil). Foram avaliadas a velocidade da onda de pulso carotídeo-femoral (VOPcf) e as pressões central e periférica em todos os pacientes. Os pacientes foram divididos em quatro grupos: G1: (n = 19; com VOPcf < 7,6 m/s; sem medicação), G2 (n = 26; VOPcf ≥ 7,6 m/s; sem medicação), G3 (n = 25; VOPcf < 7,6 m/s com medicação anti-hipertensiva), e G4 (n = 32; VOPcf ≥ 7,6 m/s com medicação anti-hipertensiva). Resultados: Em nossa amostra, 56,7% dos pacientes apresentaram VOPcf ≥ 7,6 m/s. A pressão sistólica central no G1 [99 (10) mmHg] foi inferior à encontrada nos outros três grupos [vs. 112 (14) mmHg, 111 (15), 112 (20) mmHg; P < 0,05)]. Conclusão: Pessoas idosas com pressão arterial ideal não necessariamente têm EVS e podem apresentar valores de VOPcf próximos aos limites estabelecidos para o diagnóstico de RAC. Introdução (RAC EVS. . (EVS) Objetivo ideaisnormais ideais normais ideais/normais Métodos 10 PS (PS 12 PD (PD 8 Estudo Brasil. Brasil Brasil) carotídeofemoral carotídeo femoral (VOPcf G n 19 76 7 6 7, ms m s medicação, , medicação) 26 25 antihipertensiva, antihipertensiva anti hipertensiva anti-hipertensiva) 32 antihipertensiva. Resultados amostra 567 56 56,7 99 [9 (10 vs. vs [vs 11 14 (14 15, 15 (15) 20 (20 0,05. 005 0,05 0 05 0,05)] Conclusão (EVS 1 2 anti-hipertensiva 3 5 56, 9 [ (1 (15 (2 00 0,0 0,05) ( 0,

RESUMO Objetivo Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo verificar as associações entre o consumo de nutrientes antioxidantes e as alterações lipídicas e o risco cardiometabólico em adolescentes. Métodos Trata-se de estudo transversal com 327 adolescentes de 14 a 19 anos de idade. Investigaram-se dados sociodemográficos, antropométricos, pressóricos, bioquímicos e de consumo alimentar. O risco cardiometabólico foi calculado por meio da agregação dos fatores de risco, expressa pela soma dos escores Z. Realizou-se a regressão de Poisson para estimar as razões de prevalência. Resultados O baixo consumo de zinco associou-se a elevados níveis de CT e triglicérides para os meninos, e a níveis baixos de HDL-c e elevados de LDL-c e CT para as meninas, demonstrando risco. Além disso, a baixa ingestão de cobre associou-se a altos níveis de triglicérides e risco cardiometabólico para as meninas. A razão de prevalência nos níveis elevados de LDL-c, CT e risco cardiometabólico foi maior entre os adolescentes que apresentavam baixa ingestão de vitamina A. Foram observadas também associações, no sexo feminino, da menor ingestão de vitamina A com altos níveis de triglicérides. A baixa ingestão de vitamina C nos meninos mostrou associações com LDL-c e triglicérides elevado, enquanto nas meninas essa vitamina associou-se com menores níveis de HDL-c. O baixo consumo de vitamina E, para as meninas, apresentou associações com níveis baixos de HDL-c e elevados de CT. Conclusão As associações entre os micronutrientes antioxidantes e as alterações lipídicas e risco cardiometabólico ressaltam a importância de estimular o consumo de alimentos que sejam fonte desses nutrientes, com o objetivo de modular as alterações lipídicas e o risco cardiometabólico.

ABSTRACT Objective This study aimed at validating the associations between the consumption of antioxidant nutrients as well as lipid alterations and cardiometabolic risks in adolescents. Methods This cross-sectional study included 327 adolescents aged 14-19 years. Sociodemographic and dietary information, anthropometric and blood pressure measurements, and biochemical data were obtained. Cardiometabolic risk was calculated by aggregating the risk factors, which were expressed as the sum of Z-scores. Poisson regression was performed to estimate the prevalence ratios. Results In boys, low intake of zinc was associated with elevated total cholesterol and triglyceride levels, whereas it was associated with low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and total cholesterol levels in girls, thus indicating a cardiometabolic risk. Furthermore, low intake of copper was associated with high triglyceride levels and cardiometabolic risk in girls. The high prevalence ratios of high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and total cholesterol levels and cardiometabolic risk were higher in those with low intake of vitamin A. Among girls, associations were also observed between lower intake of vitamin A and high triglyceride levels. Low intake of vitamin C among boys was associated with elevated high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Among girls, the intake of this vitamin was associated with lower low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. In girls, low intake of vitamin E was associated with low low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and high total cholesterol levels. Conclusion The associations between antioxidant micronutrients as well as lipid alterations and cardiometabolic risk emphasize the importance of encouraging the consumption of foods that are rich in these nutrients to modulate lipid alterations and cardiometabolic risk.

RESUMO: Botulismo é uma intoxicação causada por neurotoxinas botulínicas (BoNTs). Os sorotipos C e D de BoNTs estão envolvidos em surtos de botulismo em bovídeos em vários países. Apesar do elevado número de búfalos em todo o mundo, o real impacto do botulismo em búfalos não é conhecido; pois não é uma doença de notificação obrigatória no Brasil e poucos estudos avaliaram a incidência desta doença em búfalos. Além disso, estes estudos não realizaram testes diagnósticos para confirmar a presença de BoNTs. O objetivo do presente estudo foi descrever três surtos de botulismo em búfalos na região amazônica brasileira, considerando dados epidemiológicos e clínicos, bem como o diagnóstico laboratorial para confirmar a presença de BoNTs. Os resultados do bioensaio em camundongos foram negativos em todos os tecidos e nas amostras de alimentos testados; no entanto foram positivos para BoNT C nas amostras de água. A confirmação da ocorrência de botulismo em búfalos permite a implementação de estratégias preventivas nos rebanhos. O botulismo hídrico nos búfalos pode ser prevenido assegurando-se que coleções de água fossem mantidas limpas, sem a presença de animais mortos e ossadas no seu interior e não permitindo o acúmulo de matéria orgânica e condições de anaerobiose favoráveis à multiplicação de Clostridium. botulinum. Outra medida que pode ser adotada é o sombreamento das pastagens, a fim de manter o conforto térmico dos búfalos e assim evitar o excesso de sua permanência dentro das fontes de água.

ABSTRACT: Botulism is a poisoning caused by botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs). BoNTs serotypes C and D are involved in botulism outbreaks in cattle in several countries. Despite the high number of buffaloes worldwide, the real impact of botulism in buffaloes is not known, because it is not a notifiable disease in Brazil and only few studies have evaluated the occurrence of the disease in buffaloes. Those studies did not conduct diagnostic tests to confirm the presence of BoNTs. The objective of the present study was to describe three outbreaks of botulism in buffaloes in the Brazilian Amazon region considering epidemiological and clinical data as well as laboratory diagnosis to confirm the presence of BoNTs. The results of the bioassay were negative in the tissues and in feed samples, but positive for BoNT C in water samples. Confirmation of the occurrence of botulism in buffaloes allows the implementation of preventive strategies in susceptible herds. Waterborne botulism in buffaloes is prevented by ensuring the constant circulation of water collections and restricting the presence of dead animals and bones in order to prevent the accumulation of organic matter and the development of anaerobic conditions, which might favor the replication of Clostridium botulinum. Another measure that can be adopted is the shading of the pasture, in order to maintain the thermal comfort for the buffaloes and to avoid the excess of permanence of them in the water pools.

Antecedentes: los pollos de engorde pasan la mayoría de su vida en contacto con la cama; la calidad de la cama puede afectar la salud y desempeño del ave. Objetivo: fueron evaluados los efectos de diferentes tratamientos de la cama sobre el desempeño y lesiones en la canal de pollos de engorde durante cinco lotes consecutivos con 640 aves cada uno. Métodos: se empleó un modelo completamente aleatorizado con ocho tratamientos y cuatro repeticiones. Los tratamientos incluyeron (1) cama no tratada, (2) cama sometida a compostaje en el galpón, (3) cama tratada (CT) con sulfato de aluminio, (4) CT con yeso agrícola, (5) CT con cal, (6) CT con calcáreo dolomítico, (7) CT con zeolita y (8) CT con carbón vegetal. Heno de pasto elefante picado fue usado como cama en todos los lotes. Resultado: los tratamientos no influenciaron el desempeño ni las lesiones en la canal de los pollos en ningún lote. Además, ninguno de los tratamientos de las camas fue económicamente viables. Conclusión: el tratamiento de la cama de pollo no solo no afecta el desempeño ni las lesiones en la canal de los pollos sino que eleva los costos de producción de las aves.

Background: broilers spend most of their lives in contact with litter; litter quality can affect their health and performance. Objective: the effects of litter treatment on performance and carcass lesions were evaluated in five consecutive flocks with 640 male broilers each. Methods: a completely randomized model was used comprising eight treatments and four replicates. The treatments included (1) untreated litter, (2) litter subjected to in-house composting, (3) litter treated (LT) with aluminum sulfate, (4) LT with gypsum, (5) LT with quicklime, (6) LT with dolomitic limestone, (7) LT with zeolite, and (8) LT with charcoal. Chopped elephant-grass hay was used as poultry litter in all flocks. Results: none of the litter treatments were found to influence the performance and carcass lesions of the male broilers in all five flocks. Furthermore, poultry litter treatments were not economically viable. Conclusion: poultry litter treatments did not affect the performance and scores of carcass lesions of male broilers, but increased the cost of poultry production.

Antecedentes: os frangos de corte passam a maioria de suas vidas em contato com a cama e a qualidade desta pode afetar a saúde e o desempenho produtivo da ave. Objetivo: Avaliou-se os efeitos dos tratamentos da cama de frango sobre o desempenho no crescimento e lesões na carcaça de frangos de corte. Métodos: avaliaram-se 640 aves por lote, durante cinco lotes consecutivos, analisaram-se empregando um modelo completamente casualizado com oito tratamentos e quatro repetições. Os tratamentos consistiram de (1) cama não tratada, (2) cama submetida a compostagem no galpão, (3) cama tratada (CT) com sulfato de alumínio, (4) CT com gesso agrícola, (5) CT com cal virgem, (6) CT com calcário dolomítico, (7) CT com zeolita e (8) CT com carvão vegetal. Feno de capim elefante picado foi usado como cama em todos os lotes. Resultado: os diferentes tratamentos não influenciaram o desempenho na produção e as lesões na carcaça dos frangos em nenhum lote, entretanto, os tratamentos da cama foram economicamente inviáveis. Conclusão: o tratamento da cama de frango não afeta o desempenho produtivo e os escores de lesões na carcaça dos frangos de corte, além, eleva os custos da produção avícola.

Hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus and human immunodeficiency virus share a similar transmission pathway and are often diagnosed in the same patient. These patients tend to have a faster progression of hepatic fibrosis. This cross-sectional study describes the demographic features and clinical profile of human immunodeficiency virus/hepatitis co-infected patients in Parana, Southern Brazil. A total of 93 human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients attending a tertiary care academic hospital in Southern Brazil were included. Clinical, demographic and epidemiological data were evaluated. Hepatitis B virus and/or hepatitis C virus positive serology was found in 6.6% of patients. The anti-hepatitis C virus serum test was positive in 85% (79/93) of patients, and the infection was confirmed in 72% of the cases. Eighteen patients (19%) were human immunodeficiency virus/hepatitis B virus positive (detectable HBsAg). Among co-infected patients, there was a high frequency of drug use, and investigations for the detection of co-infection were conducted late. A low number of patients were eligible for treatment and, although the response to antiretroviral therapy was good, there was a very poor response to hepatitis therapy. Our preliminary findings indicate the need for protocols aimed at systematic investigation of hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients, thus allowing for early detection and treatment of co-infected patients.

La interpretación conjunta de la fenología y el metabolismo nutricional proporciona datos importantes sobre la reacción de tejidos vegetales y el período de inducción de agallas. En el estado de Goiás, Brasil se estudió una población de Aspidosperma macrocarpon Apocynaceae con agallas foliares inducidas por un Pseudophacopteron sp. Psylloidea. Suponiendo que la similitud morfológica entre las hojas del hospedero y las agallas intralaminares genera un gradiente de hojas sin agallas hacia hojas con agallas, se establece un continuo morfo-fisiológico. La fenología, la infestación de las agallas y el contenido de carbohidratos y nitrógeno se evaluaron mensualmente en 10-20 individuos, de septiembre 2009 a septiembre 2010. El objetivo fue analizar el estado nutricional y el establecimiento de un continuo fisiológico entre las hojas que producen agallas y las hojas sin agallas de A. macrocarpon. El período de emergencia de hojas coincidió con los niveles más altos de nitrógeno en las hojas nuevas, y los niveles más bajos de carbohidratos.Los nutrientes se consumieron previamente por las hojas en crecimiento, en el momento de inducción de las agallas. Los niveles de carbohidratos fueron más altos en las hojas con agallas que en aquellas sin agallas, en análisis basados en tiempo, lo que indica su ciclo de funcionalidad potencial. Las hojas hospederas se infestaron en octubre, el desarrollo y la senescencia de las agallas se llevó a cabo entre marzo y septiembre, en las hojas hospederas. Estas primeras hojas senescentes causaron mortalidad de insectos. Hay mayor disponibilidad de nutrientes en el momento de la inducción de las agallas y parece ser importante no sólo para el establecimiento del insecto que produce agallas, sino también para la capacidad de respuesta de los tejidos de la planta hospedera.

The joint interpretation of phenology and nutritional metabolism provides important data on plant tissues reactivity and the period of gall induction. A population of Aspidosperma macrocarpon Apocynaceae with leaf galls induced by a Pseudophacopteron sp. Psylloidea was studied in Goiás state, Brazil. Assuming the morphological similarity between host leaves and intralaminar galls, a gradient from non-galled leaves towards galls should be generated, establishing a morpho-physiological continuum. The phenology, infestation of galls, and the carbohydrate and nitrogen contents were monthly evaluated in 10-20 individuals, from September 2009 to September 2010. Our objective was to analyze the nutritional status and the establishment of a physiological continuum between the galls and the non-galled leaves of A. macrocarpon. The period of leaf flushing coincided with the highest levels of nitrogen allocated to the new leaves, and to the lowest levels of carbohydrates. The nutrients were previously consumed by the growing leaves, by the time of gall induction. The levels of carbohydrates were higher in galls than in non-galled leaves in time-based analyses, which indicateed their potential sink functionality. The leaves were infested in October, galls developed along the year, and gall senescence took place from March to September, together with host leaves. This first senescent leaves caused insect mortality. The higher availability of nutrients at the moment of gall induction was demonstrated and seems to be important not only for the establishment of the galling insect but also for the responsiveness of the host plant tissues.

O trabalho teve o objetivo de relacionar a coloração do carpídio e a morfologia interna de sementes de salsa com a germinação, por meio da classificação visual por coloração e do teste de raios X. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi inteiramente casualizado, com quatro repetições por tratamento, constituídos de quatro lotes (A, B, C e D) e três colorações dos carpídios (verde, amarela e preta) em esquema fatorial 4×3. As sementes foram radiografadas (60 s; 20 kV), utilizando o equipamento digital Faxitron X-ray, modelo MX-20 DC12 e, em seguida, foram submetidas ao teste de germinação. Verificou-se que os frutos de coloração amarela foram os que apresentaram as maiores taxas de germinação e índice de velocidade de germinação (IVG). Os frutos com carpídio de coloração verde apresentaram deformações e má formação do embrião, enquanto os frutos de coloração amarela e preta apresentaram-se sem deformações e com o embrião bem formado. Pode-se concluir que há relação entre a germinação e a coloração dos carpídios das sementes de salsa. Embriões mal formados e tegumentos deformados estão relacionados aos carpídios de coloração verde.

The objective of the present study was to establish a relationship between mericarps color and internal morphology of parsley with the germination, using sorting by coloration and the X-ray test. The completely randomized design was used, with four replications per treatment. The treatments were constituted of four lots (A, B, C and D) and three mericarps colors (green, yellow and black) in 4×3 factorial experiment. The mericarps were exposed to X-ray test (60s; 20kV), being used the digital equipment Faxitron X-ray, model MX-20 DC12 and then, the irradiated mericarps were submitted to the germination test. The yellow mericarps showed higher germination and speed germination index. The green mericarps showed deformations and impaired formation of embryo, while black and yellow mericarps showed up without deformation and with a well-formed embryo. We concluded that there is a relationship between parsley seed germination and mericarps color. Poorly formed embryos and misshapened seed coats are related to green mericarps.