SARS-CoV-2 variant N. 9 identified in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

BACKGROUND The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) B.1.1.33-derived lineage named N.9 was described recently in Brazil and it's considered a potential variant of interest (VOI) due to the presence of E484K substitution at the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the Spike (S) protein. OBJECTIVE To describe the first detection of variant N.9 in Rio de Janeiro State. METHODS SARS-CoV-2 N.9 was confirmed by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), whole-genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. FINDINGS Here, we report two SARS-CoV-2 N.9 lineage strains in Rio de Janeiro. One of them had only the E484K substitution of the six N.9 lineage-defining mutations. Other three strains pre-defined as N.9 have the same genomic profile. These four strains are grouped within the B.1.1.33 lineage and basal to the N.9 lineage in our phylogenetic analysis, and we call them "N.9-like/B.1.1.33 + E484K". MAIN CONCLUSIONS The phylogenetic analysis shows four independent introductions of N.9 in the state of Rio de Janeiro in October and December 2020, January and March 2021. SARS-CoV-2 N.9 dissemination in the Rio de Janeiro could have been limited by the emergence and dominance of other variants, mainly by the lineage P.2 VOI Zeta that emerged in the same period and co-circulated with N.9, as observed in the neighboring State of São Paulo.

Tecnologia baropodométrica utilizada para analisar tipos de suporte de peso durante postura ortostática hemiparética / Baropodometric technology used to analyze types of weight-bearing during hemiparetic upright position

INTRODUCTION: Although baropodometric analysis has been published since the 1990s, only now it is found a considerable number of studies showing different uses in the rehabilitation. OBJECTIVE: To amplify the use of this technology, this research aimed to analyze baropodometric records during upright position of subjects with hemiparesis, describing a way to define weight-bearing profiles in this population. METHOD: 20 healthy subjects were matched by gender and age with 12 subjects with chronic spastic hemiparesis. This control group was formed to establish the limits of symmetry during weight-bearing distribution in the hemiparesis group. Next, hemiparesis group was submitted to procedures to measure baropodometric records used to provide variables related to the weight-bearing distribution, the arch index and the displacements in the center of pressure (CoP). Data were used to compare differences among kinds of weight-bearing distribution (symmetric, asymmetric toward non-paretic or paretic foot) and coordination system for CoP displacements. RESULTS: Hemiparesis group was compounded by eight symmetrics, eight asymmetrics toward non-paretic foot and four asymmetric toward paretic foot. Significant differences in the weight-bearing distributions between non-predominantly and predominantly used foot did not promote differences in the other baropodometric records (peak and mean of pressure, and support area). Mainly in the asymmetry toward non-paretic foot it was observed significant modifications of the baropodometric records. CONCLUSION: Baropodometric technology can be used to analyze weight-bearing distribution during upright position of subjects with hemiparesis, detecting different kinds of weight-bearing profiles useful to therapeutic programs and researches involving subjects with this disability.

INTRODUÇÃO: Embora análises baropodométricas sejam encontradas desde a década de 1990, somente agora é observado número considerável de estudos mostrando usos na reabilitação. OBJETIVOS: Para ampliar o uso dessa tecnologia, objetivou-se analisar registros baropodométricos durante a posição ortostática de sujeitos com hemiparesia, descrevendo o suporte de peso nessa população. MÉTODOS: 20 sujeitos saudáveis foram pareados por gênero e idade com 12 sujeitos com hemiparesia espástica crônica. Controles foram formados para estabelecer limites de simetria na distribuição do suporte de peso no grupo hemiparesia. Em seguida, o grupo hemiparesia foi submetido a procedimentos usados para fornecer variáveis como: distribuição no suporte de peso, índice de arqueamento e deslocamentos no centro de pressão (CoP). Os dados diferenciaram tipos de distribuição do suporte de peso (simétrico, assimétrico em direção ao pé não parético ou parético) e estabeleceram sistemas de coordenadas para deslocamentos do CoP. RESULTADOS: O grupo hemiparesia apresentou oito simétricos, oito assimétricos em direção ao pé não parético e quatro em direção ao pé parético. Distribuição assimétrica do suporte entre os pés não predominantemente ou predominantemente usados não promoveram diferenças em registros baropodométricos (pico e média de pressão e área de suporte). Principalmente para a assimetria em direção ao pé não parético, observou-se modificações significativas nos registros baropodométricos. CONCLUSÃO: Tecnologia baropodométrica pode ser usada para analisar a distribuição no suporte de peso durante a posição ortostática de sujeitos com hemiparesia, detectando diferentes tipos de suporte de peso, úteis para serem usados em programas terapêuticos e em pesquisas envolvendo sujeitos com essa incapacidade.

Comparação entre medidas de descarga, simetria e transferência de peso em indivíduos com e sem hemiparesia / Comparison between bearing, symmetry, and transfer weight measurements in subjects with or without hemiparesis

Avaliação da Simetria e Transferência de Peso (ASTP) foi indicada para se fazer associação entre simetria e atividades funcionais nas hemiparesias, apontando simétricos como mais capacitados. Contudo, tais relações não são claras e divergem com evidências que sugerem assimetrias como estratégias funcionais. Assim, objetivou-se verificar se as medidas subjetivamente determinadas pela ASTP concordam com medidas calculas pela descarga de peso entre os pés. Realizou-se estudo observacional do tipo transversal para amostra de sujeitos com hemiparesia (n=20) pareados por idade e gênero a controles (n=20). Os participantes submeteram-se a procedimentos para obtenção de escore determinado pela ASTP e para cálculo da razão de simetria (RS) na descarga de peso entre os pés obtido por meio de duas balanças digitais. Os resultados obtidos pela ASTP identificaram apenas um sujeito com hemiparesia apresentando simetria, dentre os quatro sujeitos identificados pela RS como simétricos. Ainda, a ASTP não diferenciou assimetrias com sobrecarga para o lado afetado e apresentou correlação significativa somente quando os escores foram analisados com os valores de RS<1(sobrecarga para o lado não afetado). Conclui-se que a ASTP não foi concordante em identificar sujeitos hemiparéticos com descarga de peso compatível com simetria. Ainda, não identificou sobrecargas para o lado afetado que poderia conduzir a análises equivocadas da associação entre simetria e desempenho funcional.

Assessment of symmetry and weight-transfer (ASWT) was indicated to relate symmetry and functional activity in the hemiparesis, pointing as the most qualified symmetrical. However, such relationships are not clear and disagree with evidences suggesting asymmetries as strategies for functional strategies. Then, it was proposed to verify the measurements subjectively determined by ASWT agree with measurements calculated by weight-bearing distribution for each foot. It was applied observational study with transversal design for sample of subjects with hemiparesis (n=20) matched by age and gender with controls (n=20). Participants were included in procedures toobtain scores by ASWT and to calculate symmetry ratio (SR) in the weight-bearing between feet by digital scales. The results obtained by ASWT indicated only one subject with hemiparesis presenting symmetry among four subjects identified as symmetric by SR. Besides, the ASWT did not differ overweight toward the affected side and presented significant correlation only when the scores were analyzed with values of SR<1(overweight toward the non-affected side). It was concluded that the ASWT was not agreementto identify weight-bearing distribution compatible with symmetry. Moreover, it did not identify overweight toward the affected side that could to drive to mistaken analysis of the relationship between symmetries and functional performance.

A transient increase in total head phosphotyrosine levels is observed upon the emergence of Aedes aegypti from the pupal stage

Phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of protein tyrosine residues constitutes a major biochemical regulatory mechanism for the cell. We report a transient increase in the total tyrosine phosphorylation of the Aedes aegypti head during the first days after emergence from the pupal stage. This correlates with an initial reduction in total head protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) activity. Similarly, phosphotyrosine (pTyr)-containing bands are seen in extracts prepared from both male and female heads and are spread among a variety of structures including the antennae, proboscis and the maxillary palps combined with the proboscis. Also, mosquitoes treated with sodium orthovanadate, a classical PTP inhibitor, show reduced blood-feeding activity and higher head tyrosine phosphorylation levels. These results suggest that pTyr-mediated signalling pathways may play a role in the initial days following the emergence of the adult mosquito from the pupal stage.