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Background: India is rich in tribal population including north-east India. This research of ours is based on viral hepatitis diagnosis (HBV, HCV, HDV. HAV. HEV) and prevalence in the eight north eastern states of India (namely Assam, Arunachal, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura, Meghalaya, Manipur, and Mizoram) that are in locations bordering other countries like Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal. The article intercompares the viral hepatitis prevalence pattern in tribal and non-tribal patients in the north eastern states of India as well as the overall prevalence pre-COVID-19 and during the COVID-19. Methodology: This cross-sectional study data on prevalence of viral hepatitis conducted in the 8 north eastern states of India between 2018-2022 has data. two years before the onset of COVID-19 (2018-2019) and 2 years during the COVID-19 (2020-2022). This manuscript presents retrospective comparison on viral hepatitis prevalence between the recruited viral hepatitis patients of tribal and non-tribal origin. This work also compares viral hepatitis prevalence pre-COVID19 and during COVID-19 with no planned work done on COVID-19 diagnostics. Results: In this study, it was observed that younger adult tribal viral hepatitis patients in northeast India had higher prevalence of viral hepatitis than non-tribal patents of the same age group whereas older adult non-tribal patients had higher prevalence of viral hepatitis than tribal patients of the same age group. Certain tribes like Lushai of Mizoram had higher prevalence of HDV, HCV, HEV. Hepatitis B vaccination status was better in non-tribals than tribals in the recruited patients. Further in certain states like Manipur and Tripura exhibited significant difference in the diagnostic marker prevalence in hepatocellular carcinoma patients and liver cirrhosis patients before COVID and during COVID. Conclusion: There were differences in the prevalence and risk factors of viral hepatitis between tribal and non-tribal patients of viral hepatitis in northeast India. Further COVID-19 did have influence on the viral hepatitis prevalence in northeast India.

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Resumo O artigo trata das impressões compartilhadas de pesquisadores e sua experiência no trabalho de campo no Nordeste do Brasil, no âmbito do projeto Promoção da saúde no contexto da epidemia de zika: atores e cenários nos processos de tomada de decisão (FIOCRUZ/ZIKAlliance). Aqui procuramos compartilhar impressões de campo sobre uma pesquisa acerca da epidemia de Zika vírus, em dois municípios situados em diferentes localidades do Nordeste. Evidenciamos a importância do caderno de campo na pesquisa qualitativa e tecemos reflexões acerca dos resultados das entrevistas realizadas com mulheres em idade reprodutiva, gestantes, profissionais de saúde, mães e pais de crianças acometidas por microcefalia e trabalhadores autônomos. A partir dos depoimentos, foi possível observar aproximações, identificações e estranhamentos dos sujeitos de pesquisa com os pesquisadores, constituindo importante termômetro para nossa percepção do campo e das possibilidades de produção de conhecimento científico sobre a epidemia do Zika no Nordeste do Brasil.

Abstract O artigo trata das impressões compartilhadas de pesquisadores e sua experiência no trabalho de campo no Nordeste do Brasil, no âmbito do projeto Promoção da saúde no contexto da epidemia de zika: atores e cenários nos processos de tomada de decisão (FIOCRUZ/ZIKAlliance). Aqui procuramos compartilhar impressões de campo sobre uma pesquisa acerca da epidemia de Zika vírus, em dois municípios situados em diferentes localidades do Nordeste. Evidenciamos a importância do caderno de campo na pesquisa qualitativa e tecemos reflexões acerca dos resultados das entrevistas realizadas com mulheres em idade reprodutiva, gestantes, profissionais de saúde, mães e pais de crianças acometidas por microcefalia e trabalhadores autônomos. A partir dos depoimentos, foi possível observar aproximações, identificações e estranhamentos dos sujeitos de pesquisa com os pesquisadores, constituindo importante termômetro para nossa percepção do campo e das possibilidades de produção de conhecimento científico sobre a epidemia do Zika no Nordeste do Brasil.Abstract: This article deals with the shared impressions of researchers and their experience in fieldwork in Northeast Brazil, within the project's scope: Health promotion in the context of the Zika epidemic: actors and scenarios in decision-making processes (FIOCRUZ/ZIKAlliance). Here, we seek to share field impressions of research on the Zika Virus in two municipalities located in different locations in the Northeast. We highlight the importance of the field notebook in qualitative research and reflect on the results of interviews conducted with women of reproductive age, pregnant women, health professionals, mothers and fathers of children affected by microcephaly, and self-employed workers. From the testimonies, it was possible to observe similarities, identifications, and estrangements between the research subjects and the researchers, constituting a vital thermometer for our perception of the field and the possibilities of producing scientific knowledge about the Zika epidemic in Northeastern Brazil.

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Abstract Culicoides is a small dipteran genus of Ceratopogonidae Family with worldwide distribution. Due to their hematophagous habits, species within this genus are a biting nuisance to humans and domestic animals. They also transmit protozoa, filarial worms, and several arboviruses. The Northeastern region of Brazil is characterized by a semi-arid climate and few bodies of water, which does not favor breeding sites for ceratopogonids. In addition to the climatic factor, studies on Biting Midges Culicoides are scarce in this geographic region. The municipality of Pacoti, located in Serra de Baturité, in Ceará, is an important area for agricultural production and ecotourism; also, Pacoti is located in an environmental protection area. Due to the medical and veterinary importance of these biting midges, a survey was conducted in Pacoti. For capture, CDC-type light traps were used near forested areas, where collections were carried out during two periods: March 2015, and August 2022. Of the 17 species found, 12 are new records for the municipality of Pacoti, nine are new records for the state of Ceará, and four are recorded for the first time for the Northeast region. Of the registered incriminated vectors, we found C. paraensis, C. insignis, and C. pusillus. The knowledge of biodiversity and geographic distribution update of Culicoides may contribute to prevention and control measures for vector-borne diseases in Ceará.

Resumo O gênero Culicoides é um diminuto diptero da família Ceratopogonidae com distribuição mundial. Devido aos seus hábitos hematófagos, as espécies desse gênero são um incômodo para os humanos e animais domésticos transmitem protozoários, vermes filariais, bem como, diversos arbovírus. A região Nordeste do Brasil é caracterizada por clima semiárido e poucos corpos d'água, o que não favorece criadouros de ceratopogonídeos. Além do fator climático, estudos sobre mosquitos picadores são escassos nesta região geográfica. O município de Pacoti, localizado na Serra de Baturité, no Ceará, é uma importante área de produção agrícola e ecoturismo; além disso, Pacoti está localizada na área de preservação ambiental. Devido à importância médica e veterinária desses maruins, foi então realizada uma pesquisa em Pacoti. Para a captura das amostras foram utilizadas armadilhas luminosas do tipo CDC em áreas florestadas is, onde as coletas foram realizadas em dois períodos: março de 2015 e agosto de 2022. Das 17 espécies encontradas nesse estudo, 12 são novos registros para o município de Pacoti, nove são novos registros para o estado do Ceará e quatro são registrados pela primeira vez para a região Nordeste. Das espécies vetoras incriminadas temos: C. paraensis, C. insignis e C. pusillus. O conhecimento da biodiversidade e a atualização da distribuição geográfica dos Culicoides poderão contribuir para medidas de controle de doenças transmitidas por vetores no Ceará.

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ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the trend and spatial pattern of intimate partner rape reports against women in Northeast Brazil. Methods: Ecological time-series study and spatial analysis with secondary data from the Notifiable Diseases Information System between 2013 and 2022. Gross rape rates were calculated by type of intimate partner and by age group of the victim. Prais-Winsten regression was used to calculate the trend, and the global and local Moran indices were used for spatial analysis. Results: A total of 5,542 cases of intimate partner rape were reported. Spousal rates ranged from 0.34/100,000 women in 2013 to 0.51/100,000 in 2017, with greater increases between 2018 (1.04/100 thousand) and 2022 (1.28/100 thousand). There was an upward trend in the Northeast as a whole (APC=19.47; 95%CI 15.88-23.22) and in almost all states, except Paraíba and Sergipe. Cases perpetrated by boyfriends (APC=23.90; 95%CI 12.80-36.09) and among women aged 15 to 19 years (APC=22.63; 95%CI 4.18-44.35) showed the highest annual variation. A concentration of high rates was observed in several municipalities in the northwest of Ceará and southeast of Pernambuco. Conclusion: The trend in intimate partner rape rates against women increased in the Northeast, especially among younger women and by boyfriends, with a greater agglomeration of notifications in Ceará and Pernambuco.

RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar a tendência e o padrão espacial das notificações de estupro por parceiro íntimo contra mulheres no Nordeste do Brasil. Métodos: Estudo ecológico de série temporal e análise espacial com dados secundários do Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (SINAN) entre 2013 e 2022. Foram calculadas taxas brutas de estupro por tipo de parceiro íntimo e por faixa etária da vítima. Para o cálculo de tendência, utilizou-se a regressão de Prais-Winsten e, para a análise espacial, adotou-se o índice global e local de Moran. Resultados: Foram notificados 5.542 casos de estupro pelo parceiro íntimo. As taxas perpetradas pelo cônjuge variaram de 0,34/100 mil mulheres em 2013 para 0,51/100 mil em 2017, com maiores elevações entre 2018 (1,04/100 mil) e 2022 (1,28/100 mil). Houve tendência de aumento no Nordeste como um todo (VPA=19,47; IC95% 15,88-23,22) e em quase todos os estados, exceto Paraíba e Sergipe. Os casos perpetrados por namorados (VPA=23,90; IC95% 12,80-36,09) e entre mulheres de 15 a 19 anos (VPA=22,63; IC95% 4,18-44,35) exibiram maior variação anual. Observou-se concentração de altas taxas em diversos municípios no noroeste do Ceará e no sudeste de Pernambuco. Conclusão: A tendência das taxas de estupro contra mulheres perpetrado pelo parceiro íntimo aumentou no Nordeste, principalmente entre as mais jovens e por namorados, tendo maior aglomerado de notificações no Ceará e em Pernambuco.

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Introdução:A pandemia do COVID-19 foi responsável por um número significativo de mortes em todo o mundo. No Brasil, o país atingiu o terceiro lugar no ranking mundial em número de casos, em um curto período de tempo. A região nordeste por sua vez apresenta altas taxas de incidência e mortalidade. Objetivo:Analisar a mortalidade por COVID-19 na região Nordeste do Brasil entre os anos de 2020 e 2021. Metodologia:Trata-se de um estudo ecológico, retrospectivo com abordagem quantitativa, utilizando dados secundários, disponíveis no Portal de Transparência do Registro Civil, considerando os registros das Semanas Epidemiológicas (SE). Foram incluídas as variáveis: quantidade de óbitos, sexo, faixa etária, estados e semana epidemiológica. Resultados:Observou-se a ocorrência de dois picos acentuados de óbito durante as SE 18ª e 30ª e 7ª e 25, nos anos de 2020 e 2021, respectivamente. O estado do Ceará manteve os maiores índices nas duas curvas, seguido da Paraíba e Sergipe. Quanto a faixa etária, a população idosa foi mais acometida e prevaleceu os óbitos entre sexo masculino. Conclusões:Os dados mostraram a magnitude da pandemia na região nordeste, fornecendo informações para subsidiar possíveis medidas sanitárias pelas autoridades competentes (AU).

Introduction:The pandemic of COVID-19 was responsible for a significant number of deaths worldwide. In Brazil, the country reached the third place in the world ranking in number of cases in a short period of time. The northeast region in turn has high incidence and mortality rates. Objective:To analyze the mortality from COVID-19 in the Northeast region of Brazil between the years 2020 and 2021. Methodology:This is an ecological, retrospective study with a quantitative approach, using secondary data available at the Civil Registry Transparency Portal, considering the records of the Epidemiological Weeks (SE). The variables were included: quantity of deaths, sex, age group, states and epidemiological week. Results: It was observed the occurrence of two sharp peaks of deaths during the SE 18th and 30th and 7th and 25th, in the years 2020 and 2021, respectively. The state of Cearamaintained the highest rates in the two curves, followed by Paraiba and Sergipe. As for the age bracket, the elderly population was more affected and male deaths prevailed.Conclusions:The data showed the magnitude of the pandemic in the northeast region, providing information to support possible health measures by the competent authorities (AU).

Introducción: La pandemia de COVID-19 fue responsable de un importante número de muertes en todo el mundo. En Brasil, el país alcanzó el tercer puesto del ranking mundial en número de casos en un corto periodo de tiempo. A su vez, la región del noreste presenta altas tasas de incidencia y mortalidad.Objetivo: Analizar la mortalidad por COVID-19 en la región Nordeste de Brasil entre los años 2020 y 2021. Metodología: Se trata de un estudio ecológico, retrospectivo con abordaje cuantitativo, utilizando datos secundarios, disponibles en el Portal de Transparencia del Registro Civil, considerando los registros de las Semanas Epidemiológicas (SE). Se incluyeron las variables: cantidad de muertes, género, grupo de edad, estados y semana epidemiológica. Resultados: Se observó la ocurrencia de dos picos agudos de muertes durante los días 18 y 30 y 7 y 25 de la SE, en los años 2020 y 2021, respectivamente. El estado de Ceará mantuvo las tasas más altas en las curvas, seguido de Paraíba y Sergipe. En cuanto al grupo de edad, la población anciana estaba más afectada y predominaban las muertes de hombres. Conclusiones: Los datos mostraron la magnitud de la pandemia en la región noreste, proporcionando información paraapoyar posibles medidas sanitarias por parte de las autoridades competentes (AU).

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Length-weight relationships (LWR) are reported for four indigenous fish species of longshen stream, Indo-Myanmar boundary line North-Eastern Ghats of Indian region, for the period of June 2020 to September 2022. Specimen species were collected during different exploratory surveys, using through traditional bamboo made fishing gears. The b value for LWRs varied from 2.09(Barilius vagra) to 2.63(Garra lissorhynchus). R2 values varied from 0.85 to 0.95, indicating unique values. The results providing baseline information for the need of sustainable ecological as well as economical management and conservation of indigenous fish species in Indo-Myanmar borderlines

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Shifting cultivation has a long history that predates the development of agriculture as a whole. Locally known as jhum farming in Northeast India, this system's farmers are referred to as jhummias. The strategy is based on crop planting during the wet season and cutting and burning vegetation during the dry season. After growing crops for two to three years, the land is left fallow for a number of years before being further cultivated. The locations and area under various jhum cycles are currently inadequate. This was the first attempt to use GIS and remote sensing tools to generate data on various shifting cultivation fellow cycle periods in Mokokchung district of Northeast India between 1991 and 2012. To locate moving farmed areas, IRS sensor data for the year 2002, 2005, 2008 and 2012 were used. While for the years 1991, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999, and 2000, Land-sat TM satellite imagery was used. ERDAS envision and Arc GIS 10.0 software tool were used to determine the area under different jhum cycles, namely 20, 10, and 5 years, and to create the map. For the purpose of determining the spatial extent of the current shifting agricultural areas over the course of 20 years, visual interpretation of the images has been carried out and verified with field checking. Our findings indicate that the Northeast Indian district of Mokokchung's jhum lands declined from 8.99% to 6.31% of its overall geographic area. The highest jhum area in the research region was likewise estimated to be under 20 years cycle (817.23 ha), followed by 5 years cycle (783.02 ha), 10 years cycle (591.9 ha), and 15 years cycle (684.55 ha). A correct fallow cycle of shifting agriculture may help to increase watershed conservation while maximizing crop productivity, according to the fundamental concept of our work.

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Background: Post Partum Depression (PPD) is a very common mental health issue emerging in pregnant woman worldwide. This research tries to find out prevalence of post-partum depression and factors leading to its development.Methods: A structured interview was conducted involving 178 pregnant women of age >18 years. During their intra-natal period they were given an EPDS questionnaire and then after 2 weeks they were reassessed through telephonic interview. The results of two EPDS scores and variables was obtained on paper and analysed on Microsoft Excel.Results: This study shows a prevalence of PPD to be 54.49%. It was also found in this study that Post-Partum Depression is very closely associated with history of miscarriage in previous pregnancies (p=0.042).Conclusions: Prevalence of PPD is very high in Northeast India specially in urban areas. This study included in-patients and found 54.49% prevalence of PPD. Miscarriage being strongly associated.

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Frugivorous primates in temperate and subtropical regions often experience a shortage or complete absence of fruits for several months of the year. We studied the foraging ecology of a group of stump-tailed macaques Macaca arctoides in a subtropical forest during winter, when fruit abundance was low. We conducted this study in the Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary, Assam, India, from December 2015 to April 2016. We estimated the time–activity budgets, diet, and habitat use of the study troop and also conducted vegetation sampling and phenological monitoring of the study area. The stump-tailed macaque troop spent about 73.2% of its time foraging and feeding, with seasonal differences in food species intake and in habitat use. Open degraded forests were primarily used in December, January, and February, when the macaques largely fed on shoots of the bamboo Schizostachyum polymorphum and roots of the herb Forrestia (= Amischotolype) mollissima, while they mostly utilised F. mollissima in canopy-covered, degraded forests in March and April. There was a major shift from a primary diet of fruits in the wet season, reported from earlier studies, to possibly relatively poor-quality, but abundant, shoots and roots in winter. This suggests that the consumption of these poor-quality fallback food species is a key dietary adaptation of the macaques to periods of fruit scarcity. Although our preliminary study suggests that the feeding behaviour of the stump-tailed macaque in its subtropical semi-evergreen forest habitat appears to be similar to that of its congeneric species in temperate forests, further investigations are needed to firmly establish the observed foraging patterns of this vulnerable cercopithecine species in its last lowland rainforest refuge in northeastern India.

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Background:Acute undifferentiated febrile illness (AUFI / AFI) is a common cause for patients seeking hospital care in tropical countries like India. Non-specificity of symptoms and lack of appropriate diagnostics pose a challenge, especially in resource-limited settings. Investigation into the etiology and trends of AUFI provide valuable public health data to target clinical workup and guide optimal treatment.Method: A record-based descriptive study was conducted on all AFI cases presented to a Government tertiary care centre in a tribal hilly state of Northeast India in the year 2021. Result: Under five children were the most affected and respiratory infections were the most common cause of fever.Enteric fever and scrub typhus were the most common cause of undifferentiated fever.However, it was a remarkable finding that no case of malaria or dengue was reported from this region. Fevers remained undetermined in 28% of cases.Undetermined fevers and scrub typhus had higher occurrence during winters while no seasonality was observed with enteric fever. The majority of the patients recovered and were discharged. The case fatality rate was 0.35%. Conclusion:The local epidemiology of AUFI can help guide presumptive diagnosis and deliver optimal patient management in these settings.Typhoid and scrub typhus are to be considered differentials for AUFI in this region.

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Leprosy is a chronic granulomatous disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae. Histoid leprosy is considered an uncommon multibacillary form of leprosy characterized by presence of histoid lepromas which present as erythematous round or oval shaped glistening nodules. Most commonly this form of leprosy is seen in patients on irregular therapy with MDT. In this series we report a total of three cases with their clinical, histopathological and dermoscopic findings.

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Background & objectives: Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are transmembrane proteins that recognize specific molecular patterns and activate downstream cytokine production usually for the eradication of invading pathogens. The objective of this study was to evaluate the genetic polymorphism of TLR2 Arg753Gln (rs 5743708) and soluble cytokines and TLR2 expression levels in malaria disease cases. Methods: The study included prospectively collected 2 ml blood samples from 153 individuals clinically suspected for malaria and confirmed by microscopy and RDT from Assam. Stratification of the study groups was done as healthy control (HC, n=150), uncomplicated malaria (UC-M, n=128) and severe malaria (SM, n=25). The PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method was applied for the analysis of TLR2 Arg753Gln polymorphism and following the ELISA for soluble serum TLR2 (sTLR2) and its associated downstream cytokines, viz. tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-? and interferon (IFN)-? levels. Results: Variation in TLR2 Arg753Gln gene showed no association with the susceptibility and the severity of malarial infection. Soluble TLR2 expression was significantly higher in uncomplicated malaria (UC-M) cases compared to healthy controls (P=0.045) and in terms of SM cases, the expression was also found to be higher in UC-M cases (P=0.078). The TNF-? expression was significantly higher in SM cases compared to both UC-M and control (P=0.003 and P=0.004). Similarly, significantly elevated expression of IFN-? was noted in SM cases compared to both UC-M (P=0.001) and healthy controls (P<0.001). Interpretation & conclusions: The present study suggests the association of deregulated TLR2 pathway that leads to the deleterious downstream immune response in the development of malarial pathogenicity.

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The inheritance of the mitochondria genome and its diversity is unique for genetic and evolutionary studies relative to nuclear genomes. Northeast India and Himalayan regions are considered as one of the centres of indica rice origin. Also, rice diversity in northeast India is very distinct and highly suited for evolutionary studies. Although reports are available on the genetic diversity of indigenous northeast rice landraces, its relationship with the wild relatives is not yet properly explored and understood. In an attempt, mitochondrial markers were used to study the evolutionary relationship between the 68 landraces of northeast India and wild relatives (O. rufipogon and O. nivara) along with IR64 (indica) and Nipponbare (japonica) were taken as reference cultivars. Phylogenetically, the findings include two distinct clusters in the indigenous northeast India landraces representing indica and japonica groups. Further, the wild relatives and *60% of northeast India landraces were identified to be closely related to the Nipponbare cluster. Besides, landraces of northeast India grouping with the indica group (IR64) are characterized by the absence of wild relatives. This indicates that there are two distinct evolutionary paths in the origin of northeast Indian rice landraces based on mitochondrial markers diversity and it is proposed that the inheritance of mitochondria, mitonuclear genome interactions, and bottleneck events could have genetically separated these two phylogenetically unique groups of northeast rice landraces.

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Background: The clinical importance of the supratrochlear foramen (STF) of the humerus, an anatomical variation, has been recognised because of its association with low-impact fractures of the distal end and narrow medullary canal of the humerus. According to the literature, STF prevalence varies between ethnic groups and even between individuals of the same ethnic group. Many studies in India also reflect variations in the prevalence of STF in different regions. However, the study of STF is still a rarity in northeast India, where different indigenous peoples are living. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study of dry humerus bones was conducted a medical institute in Manipur. The presence of STF, its shape, maximum dimensions (transverse and vertical), and distances from the medial and lateral epicondyles were observed. Results: STF was present in 28.57% of bones, of which 53.85% were observed in the left humerus and 46.15% in the right humerus. STF was found in different shapes, including oval (46.15%), round (19.23%), irregular (19.23%), and triangular (15.38%). The 66.67% of the STF were situated more medially in the right humerus, while 78.57% of the STF were also located more medially in the left humerus. Conclusions: The study of STF showed a prevalence of 28.57%. The oval-shaped foramen was the most common. The majority of the STF was placed more medially in both the right and left humeri.

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Leprosy is a pathology known to mankind for centuries. The clinical manifestations of leprosy depend on the patient’s immune reaction against Mycobacterium leprae, ranging from small hypochromic lesions and hypoesthesia to progressive and diffuse infiltrations of the skin, involvement of upper airway mucosa and involvement of cutaneous as well as nerve trunks. In some cases, and especially during reactions there are several manifestations and signs and symptoms of systemic involvement. The objective of the present study was to analyse the incidence of leprosy and the epidemiological parameters in the period from 2011 to 2021, in the Northeast of Brazil. The Notifiable Diseases Information System-SINAN of Brazil was consulted and is being reported on the detected cases of leprosy. The various parameters being discussed in the present study include sociodemographic aspects, types of injuries, clinical form, treatment regimen, degree of disability and clinical evolution. We were all during a global pandemic in 2020-21. The 2020-21 global pandemic of COVID-19 compromised the monitoring and recording of several diseases, which were left in the background. This fact may have contributed to the drop in the number of leprosy cases registered between 2020 and 2021 in the present study. There were 168,848 reported cases, of which 55.57% were males 62.87% were multiracial, most with low education level, until primary education, 35.63% had multiple skin lesions, 68.51% received treatment for the multibacillary type of disease, 26.83% (24.468) had neuronal impairment and, 71.74%, were considered cured. Despite the drop in the global number of cases observed in the region, several factors are still worrying, these require actions that contribute to the eradication of leprosy in the region, and these include programs that eradicate poverty, implementation of health programs that favour early diagnosis and treatment of leprosy cases, reduction of stigma and social exclusion of affected patients.

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Abstract Ceratocampinae (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) is the second most diverse subfamily of Saturniidae with 300 species described in 30 genera from southern Canada to northern Argentina. Species of this subfamily are widely distributed in Southeast Brazil, with many endemics to the Cerrado, and important as indicators of ecosystem quality. Specimens of Ceratocampinae were collected in the Parque Estadual do Mirador, Maranhão state, Brazil. Adeloneivaia acuta (Schaus, 1896), Adeloneivaia schubarti Barros & O. Mielke, 1970, Eacles penelope (Cramer, 1775) and Megaceresa pulchra (Bouvier, 1923) are recorded for the first time in Maranhão state and Northeast Brazil and Eacles fairchildi May & Oiticica, 1941, only for Maranhão. The record of five Ceratocampinae (Saturniidae) species increases the knowledge on the diversity and the importance of preserving those of this subfamily in the Cerrado biome of Maranhão state and the Northeast region of Brazil.

Resumo Ceratocampinae (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) é a segunda subfamília mais diversa de Saturniidae com 300 espécies descritas em 30 gêneros do sul do Canadá ao norte da Argentina. Espécies desta subfamília estão amplamente distribuídas no Sudeste do Brasil, com muitas endêmicas do Cerrado e importantes como indicadores da qualidade do ecossistema. Espécimes de Ceratocampinae foram coletados no Parque Estadual do Mirador, estado do Maranhão, Brasil. Adeloneivaia acuta (Schaus, 1896), Adeloneivaia schubarti Barros & O. Mielke, 1970, Eacles penelope (Cramer, 1775) e Megaceresa pulchra (Bouvier, 1923) são registradas pela primeira vez no estado do Maranhão e Nordeste do Brasil e Eacles fairchildi May & Oiticica, 1941 apenas para o Maranhão. O registro de cinco espécies de Ceratocampinae (Saturniidae) aumenta o conhecimento sobre a diversidade e a importância da preservação das espécies dessa subfamília no bioma Cerrado maranhense e na região Nordeste do Brasil.

ABSTRACT

As parasitoses intestinais ainda constituem um problema de saúde pública no Brasil, especialmente nas regiões onde o saneamento básico e condições socioeconômicas são frágeis, como na região Nordeste. São um conjunto de doenças causadas por parasitas helmínticos ou protozoários, que acometem o intestino humano, causando sintomas, como diarreia, dor abdominal, astenia, náuseas, vômitos, entre outros. Seu diagnóstico é feito pelo parasitológico de fezes e o tratamento é baseado no uso de anti-protozoários ou anti-helmínticos. Objetivo: analisar os principais aspectos das parasitoses intestinais presentes no Nordeste, identificando aquelas mais prevalentes e as populações de maiores riscos. Metodologia: o estudo foi do tipo descritivo, utilizando-se uma revisão integrativa de literatura do período de 2012 a 2021, nas bases de dados eletrônicas Scielo, BVS e Google Acadêmico. Para o processo de busca e análise dos artigos, foi utilizado o diagrama flow. Todos os dados da pesquisa foram analisados no Microsoft Word e, posteriormente os resultados foram transformados em quadros e tabelas para melhor organização e interpretação das informações colhidas. Resultados: observou-se, a partir da análise dos 10 artigos, uma variação de 26,00% a 92,85% na taxa de infecções por parasitas intestinais na região Nordeste, em diversas populações, desde pré-escolares, escolares e adultos. Os fatores de risco que estiveram associados ao desenvolvimento, foram: falta de higiene pessoal e dos alimentos, ausência ou precariedade dos serviços de saneamento básico, baixa escolaridade e renda dos pais, qualidade da água de beber e práticas de andar descalço por parte das crianças. Considerações finais: Os resultados apontam para a necessidade de medidas preventivas e tratamento das enteroparasitoses, como mudanças de hábitos de higiene e melhorias nas condições de vida, como o acesso à água tratada e saneamento básico adequado. Além disso, é importante que surjam mais estudos epidemiológicos para subsidiar medidas de controle e prevenção adequadas e eficazes.

Intestinal parasites are still a public health problem in Brazil, especially in regions where basic sanitation and socioeconomic conditions are fragile, as in the Northeast region. They are a set of diseases caused by helminthic or protozoan parasites, which affect the human intestine, causing symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, asthenia, nausea, vomiting, among others. Its diagnosis is made by fecal parasitology and treatment is based on the use of anti-protozoal or anthelmintic agents. Objective: to analyze the main aspects of intestinal parasites present in the Northeast, identifying the most prevalent ones and the populations at greatest risk. Methodology: the study was descriptive, using an integrative literature review from 2012 to 2021, in the electronic databases Scielo, BVS and Google Scholar. For the process of searching and analyzing the articles, the flow diagram was used. All survey data were analyzed in Microsoft Excel and, later, the results were transformed into graphs and tables for better interpretation of the collected information. RESULTS: from the analysis of the 10 articles, a variation from 26.00% to 92.85% was observed in the rate of infections by intestinal parasites in the Northeast region, in different populations, from preschoolers, schoolchildren and adults. The risk factors that were associated with development were: lack of personal hygiene and food, absence or precariousness of basic sanitation services, low parental education and income, quality of drinking water and practices of walking barefoot by children. Final Considerations: The results point to the need for preventive measures and treatment of intestinal parasites, such as changes in hygiene habits and improvements in living conditions, such as access to treated water and adequate basic sanitation. In addition, it is important that more epidemiological studies appear to support appropriate and effective control and prevention measures.

Las parasitosis intestinales siguen siendo un problema de salud pública en Brasil, especialmente en regiones donde el saneamiento básico y las condiciones socioeconómicas son frágiles, como en la región Nordeste. Son un conjunto de enfermedades causadas por parásitos helmínticos o protozoarios, que afectan el intestino humano, causando síntomas como diarrea, dolor abdominal, astenia, náuseas, vómitos, entre otros. Su diagnóstico se realiza mediante parasitología fecal y el tratamiento se basa en el uso de agentes antiprotozoarios o antihelmínticos. Objetivo: analizar los principales aspectos de los parásitos intestinales presentes en el Nordeste, identificando los más prevalentes y las poblaciones de mayor riesgo. Metodología: el estudio fue descriptivo, utilizando una revisión bibliográfica integradora de 2012 a 2021, en las bases de datos electrónicas Scielo, BVS y Google Scholar. Para el proceso de búsqueda y análisis de los artículos, se utilizó el diagrama de flujo. Todos los datos de la encuesta fueron analizados en Microsoft Excel y, posteriormente, los resultados fueron transformados en gráficos y tablas para una mejor interpretación de la información recogida. Resultados: a partir del análisis de los 10 artículos, se observó una variación de 26,00% a 92,85% en la tasa de infecciones por parásitos intestinales en la región Nordeste, en diferentes poblaciones, desde preescolares, escolares y adultos. Los factores de riesgo que se asociaron al desarrollo fueron: falta de higiene personal y alimentaria, ausencia o precariedad de servicios de saneamiento básico, baja escolaridad e ingresos de los padres, calidad del agua de consumo y prácticas de caminar descalzo por parte de los niños. Consideraciones Finales: Los resultados apuntan a la necesidad de medidas preventivas y de tratamiento de los parásitos intestinales, como cambios en los hábitos de higiene y mejoras en las condiciones de vida, como el acceso a agua tratada y a un saneamiento básico adecuado. Además, es importante que aparezcan más estudios epidemiológicos que respalden medidas de control y prevención adecuadas y eficaces.

ABSTRACT

ABSTRACT Insects are fundamental to biodiversity conservation in almost all ecosystems, and their population decline, and extinction directly result from environmental impacts. These facts are aggravated by the lack of knowledge of insect biodiversity, the so-called biodiversity deficits, especially the Linnean and Wallacean shortfalls. In freshwater ecosystems, biodiversity loss is higher among aquatic insects, and caddisflies comprise one of the most vulnerable orders. In this way, research focusing on describing new caddisfly species and understanding their distribution ranges will increase knowledge of caddisfly biodiversity. In the past 14 years, the team from the Laboratório de Entomologia Aquática "Prof. Dr. Claudio Gilberto Froehlich" (LEAq, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Brazil) and collaborators have been addressing these issues, resulting in 55 described species of caddisflies. Taxa in other insect orders have also received attention and an additional 16 species have been described (eight mayflies, four stoneflies, four neuropteran spongillaflies, and antlions). Here, eight caddisfly species are described and illustrated (Atopsyche froehlichi sp. nov., Austrotinodes zeferina sp. nov., Cernotina kariri sp. nov., Neoathripsodes froehlichi sp. nov., Notalina claudiofroehlichi sp. nov., Oecetis marcus sp. nov., Phylloicus froehlichi sp. nov., and Polycentropus claudioi sp. nov.), five of them in honor of LEAq's patron. In addition, new distributional data are presented for 10 known species. A checklist of the caddisfly fauna of Bahia state is also presented, with 138 species, around 75% and 30% of them recorded and described by the LEAq team, respectively. Currently, for caddisflies, Bahia is the fifth most species-rich state in Brazil, and the first in the Brazilian Northeast region.

ABSTRACT

Dibrugarh Health and Demographic Surveillance System (Dibrugarh-HDSS), was started in the year 2019 with the objective to create the health and demographic database of a population from a defined geographical area and a surveillance system for providing technical assistance for the implementation of programmes and formulating intervention strategies for reducing disease morbidities and mortalities in the population. Dibrugarh-HDSS adopted a panel design and covered 60 contiguous villages and 20 tea gardens. Line listing of all the households was conducted and a unique identification number detailing State, district, village/tea garden and serial number was provided along with geotagging. Detailed sociodemographic variables, anthropometric measurements (subjects ?five years) and blood pressure data (subjects ?18 yr), disease morbidity and mortality were collected. All data were collected in pre-designed and pre-tested questionnaires using a mobile application package developed for this purpose. Dibrugarh-HDSS included a total of 106,769 individuals (rural: 46,762, tea garden: 60,007) with 52,934 males (49.6%) and 53,835 females (50.4%). The number of females per thousand males were significantly higher (1042 in tea garden vs. 985 in rural populations) in the tea-garden community as compared to the village population. More than one-third (35.1%) of tea populations were illiterate compared to the rural population (17.1%). Villagers had significantly higher body mass index than the tea-garden community. The overall prevalence of hypertension (adjusted for age) was 29.4 vs. 28.2 per cent, respectively, for the village and tea-garden population. For both these communities, males (village=30.8%, tea garden=31.1%) showed a higher prevalence of hypertension (adjusted for age) than females (village=28.2%, tea garden=25.8%). The findings of the present study give an insight into the profile of the native rural and tea-garden populations that will help to identify risk factors of different health problems, review the effectiveness of different ongoing programmes, implement intervention strategies for reducing morbidity and mortality and assist the State health authorities in prioritizing their resource allocation and implementation strategies.

ABSTRACT

Background & objectives: Contrary to overall declining trend in smokeless tobacco (SLT) use in India, an increase is observed in north-east (NE) India. This study examined the predictors of daily SLT use by gender and assessed the demographic and socio-economic characteristics that contribute to gender differences in SLT use in NE India. Methods: Data collected from 15,259 and 13,574 adults in the two rounds of Global Tobacco Adult Survey 1 and 2 for NE India during 2009-2010 and 2016-2017 were analyzed. Relative change, multivariable binary logistic regression and Blinder-Oaxaca decomposition analysis were used for analysis. Results: The findings suggest that among women in NE India, the daily SLT use significantly increased by 58 per cent between 2009-2010 to 2016-2017. Women residing in Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura were 3.5 and 2.5 times, respectively more likely to be daily SLT users compared to those in Assam. While age, education and wealth were the significant predictors of SLT use in both women and men, increased odds of SLT use were observed with women’s type of occupation and the State of residence. The majority of the gender differences in daily SLT use was explained by differences in work status (44%), age (26%), education (14%) and wealth status (9%) between men and women. Interpretation & conclusions: Increasing prevalence of SLT use amongst women in the NE States necessitates integration of gender-specific messages on harmful effects of SLT in the ongoing tobacco control programmes and development of culturally appropriate community-based interventions for cessation of SLT use.