Inhaled aprotinin reduces viral load in mild-to-moderate inpatients with SARS-CoV-2 infection

The objective of this work is to expand the information provided in the ATAC study, showing the viral load measurements by means of RT-qPCR in tracheobronchial samples from a group of patients with moderate COVID-19, before and after 5 days of standard treatment with aprotinin compared with standard treatment with placebo. The samples of the current study were rescued from participants of a multicentre, double-blind, parallel-arm, randomized phase III trial, performed in four Spanish hospitals with the same inclusion criteria at baseline. Viral load was compared between placebo group and aprotinin-treated group at two time points. At the pre-time (i.e. day 0 before treatment), no significant differences were observed between groups. However, at post-time (i.e. treatment day 5), viral load levels were significantly lower in the aprotinin-treated group. Additionally, a comparative analysis was performed between the placebo group and the aprotinin group. A significantly shorter treatment time was observed in the aprotinin-treated group (p = 0.032), as well as a greater decrease in viral load (p = 0.016). The remaining variables showed no differences between both groups.

Quality of life according to type of confinement of Chilean university students during COVID-19 pandemic

Background: COVID-19 confinement measures in the population affected the quality of life and sleep. Aims: To determine if confinement is associated with a lower quality of life and sleep. Subjects and Methods: A self-reported survey including questions about type of confinement, time spent in front of a screen, the international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ), the Sleep Self Report questionnaire and the SF-36 quality of life survey, was answered by 621 Chilean university students. Results: Confined and not confined respondents spent a great amount of time in front of a screen, in sedentary activities and sleeping > 8 or < 6 hours per day. Those who were in confinement reported having a poorer quality of sleep and quality of life compared to those who were not in confinement. Those who required mandatory confinement for suspected COVID-19 had the worst quality of sleep and quality of life. Conclusions: University students had sedentary lifestyles regardless of the type of confinement. Those who were in confinement, especially for suspected COVID-19 infection, had the worst quality of sleep and quality of life. © 2022 Sociedad Medica de Santiago. All rights reserved.

Preparation and characterization of antibacterial gels of galactomannan/ZnO nanocomposite in carbopol-based matrix using mesquite seeds as the biopolymer source

Nanocomposite gels are novel materials mainly used in the medical field for the control drug release and distribution. In this study, the effect of the concentration of galactomannan/zinc oxide nanocomposite in a polymeric Carbopol matrix to obtain a functional nanocomposite gel was studied. The swelling, thermogravimetric, rheological, and antibacterial properties against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were evaluated. The results indicate that there is a direct effect between the amount of the employed nanocomposite and the properties studied in the gels. In this regard, we present a formulation that demonstrates that the prepared nanocomposite gel has ideal properties to be used in the medical field as an antibacterial agent.

Factors associated with inactivity during COVID-19 confinement among Latin American adults

Background: The confinement caused by the COVID-19 pandemic changed the lifestyles of the population affecting their levels of physical activity. Aim(s): To determine the factors associated with a low level of physical activity in adults during confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic. Material(s) and Method(s): Adults from Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru were invited through social networks to answer an online survey. Questions about sociodemographic, health status and lifestyle variables were included. The level of physical activity and sedentary behavior were determined through the short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Result(s): The survey was answered by 3,362 adults aged between 18 and 60 years. Respondents more likely to be inactive were women, those with less than eight years of education, those with overweight or obesity, those who smoked at least one cigarette a day, consumed alcohol four or more times a week, slept less than six hours per day and spent more than 6 hours per day in sedentary behaviors. Conclusion(s): These findings provide a sociodemographic and lifestyle profile associated with physical inactivity during the period of confinement in Latin American adults. The results confirm the need to promote healthy lifestyles in the population during periods of confinement. Copyright © 2022 Sociedad Medica de Santiago. All rights reserved.

Use of green areas for physical activity: Descriptive analysis in Chilean schoolchildren during the COVID-19 pandemic

The vegetation of urban centres can provide abundant benefits in the environment and society. In this way, green areas can offer opportunities for the regular practice of physical activity, providing benefits for physical and mental health in the life of the population. Aim: to determine the practice of physical activity and the reasons for non-practice in children aged between 5 to 17 years in green areas of Temuco, Chile. Methods: quantitative approach, cross-sectional and with a non-experimental design and descriptive scope. Instruments: A questionnaire to measure the practice of physical activity in green areas and the reasons for non-practice was applied. Results: Although most of children have green areas near their homes, most of them do not use these areas for physical activities, with the group of girls highlighting in this respect. Regarding the type of activities mainly carried out in green areas were those of recreational nature such as playing, walking and cycling. Conclusion: Spaces for physical activity exist, but children require interest, motivation and mainly family support to practice physical activity in green areas, as well as a greater supply of sports and/or recreational programs related to the practice of physical activity in green areas. © Federación Española de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educación Física (FEADEF).

INCIDENCE OF “NEW-ONSET” CONSTIPATION AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS DURING LOCKDOWN DUE TO THE CORONAVIRUS-19 PANDEMIC

Background: A minimum of physical activity and low liquid intake are factors that havebeen associated with constipation. The health emergency brought on by the COVID-19pandemic has resulted in adopting behavior, such as sheltering-in-place (less mobility) anddietary changes, creating a scenario we believe to be an adequate model for examining theappearance of symptoms of constipation and its associated factors. At present, there are no reports in the literature that establish a relation between a change in bowel movement habitand being under the current lockdown. Thus, the aim of our study was to evaluate theincidence of symptoms of constipation and associated factors during the lockdown implementedto contain the spread of COVID-19 in Mexico.Methods: A cross-sectional and descriptive study was conducted on an open population,applying an electronic survey (4 weeks after lockdown due to COVID-19 in Mexico) toevaluate: demographic characteristics, physical activity, water and fiber intake, appearanceof constipation symptoms (including stool consistency), and quality of life. Incidence (newcases) of constipation after the lockdown (“new-onset” constipation) was calculated and the95% CI was reported. A comparative analysis of the categorical variables and continuousvariables was carried out between the participants with “new-onset” constipation and thosewith no constipation during the lockdown, utilizing the Student’s t test, the Mann-WhitneyU test, the chi-square test, or the Wilcoxon test, as appropriate. Statistical significance wasset a p < 0.05.Results: Out of 678 subjects evaluated, 170 (25%, 95% CI 21.7-28.4) developed symptomsof “new-onset” constipation, with a significant decrease in the number of daily bowelmovements (p<0.05) and stool consistency (p<0.05) during lockdown (Figure 1). Furthermore,in the “new-onset” constipation population, there was a higher proportion of subjects(48%) who stopped exercising during the pandemic compared to the subjects who did notdevelop constipation symptoms (29%, p=0.0005, OR 2.23, CI 95% 1.4-3.48, Figure 2).The multivariate analysis (logistic regression) showed that female sex (p=0.001), water intake(p=0.039), and physical activity (p=0.012) were associated with “new-onset” constipation.Conclusions: In conclusion, in our study we found that one-fourth of the population thatreduced their physical activity and drank less water due to mobility restrictions imposedfor epidemiologic reasons, in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, developed “new-onset”constipation symptoms. Given those results, appropriate physical activity and adequateliquid intake during prolonged periods of lockdown should be recommended to preventsaid symptoms.(Image Presented)Number of bowel movements, days of physical activity and stool consistency before and after the lockdown(Image Presented)Percentage of subjects who stop physical activity during the pandemic among groups.

Chronology and legal development of the contracting of the pharmaceutical company sinovac biotech by the state of São Paulo (Institute butantan) for the production of the coronavac vaccine under the innovation prism

The purpose of this article is to study the legal instruments involved in the contracting of the pharmaceutical company Sinovac Biotech by the State of São Paulo, by Instituto Butantan, for the production of the vaccine named Coronavac. The methodology adopted will be the analysis of the information conveyed regarding the contracts that based the operation, focusing mainly on the legal instruments involving the transfer of technology, scientific and industrial knowledge and any licenses for the use of patented technologies, as the theme of innovation. To this end, we will analyze the development of these legal institutes chronologically from their announcement by the constituted authorities to the current phase, when this study is completed. © 2021, University of Passo Fundo. All rights reserved.

Social economy and feminist resistance: the self-managed and dissident tianguis in oaxaca, mexico

The aim of this research is to analyze the economic, political and cultural expressions of the women who make up the self-managed, feminist and dissident Tianguis in the city of Oaxaca, Mexico. The research is qualitative and is based on the techniques of ethnographic studies. The tianguis is formed by the loss of jobs brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic and recovers the original form of market organization by physically concentrating producers and buyers, where money as a means of exchange is gradually being replaced by barter. The hegemonic, capitalist and patriarchal system extends its domination in a subtle and imperceptible way in society, is built from the bottom up, but it also shows the intolerant and repressive nature of institutional power. This is the only way to explain why the authorities of the municipality of Oaxaca de Juárez violently evicted and recovered the public space occupied by the tianguistas. The study shows that women have had to resist and take a political stance in the absence of agreements with the municipal authorities to be able to continue trading and selling their goods. © 2021, Universidad del Zulia. All rights reserved.

Anosmia in COVID-19 Associated with Injury to the Olfactory Bulbs Evident on MRI.

Patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may have symptoms of anosmia or partial loss of the sense of smell, often accompanied by changes in taste. We report 5 cases (3 with anosmia) of adult patients with COVID-19 in whom injury to the olfactory bulbs was interpreted as microbleeding or abnormal enhancement on MR imaging. The patients had persistent headache (n = 4) or motor deficits (n = 1). This olfactory bulb injury may be the mechanism by which the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2 causes olfactory dysfunction.

Being born and growing up in the ribeirão preto and são luís cohorts

This thematic issue consists of 14 articles derived from studies of the BRISA birth cohort (Ribeirão Preto, State of São Paulo and São Luís, State of Maranhão, northeastern Brazil, a socially and economically less developed region). In these more than 40 years of existence, these cohorts have been able to document the increase in women’s education, the improvement of health conditions, the creation of a public Unified Health System (SUS) that provides universal and free access to health care, eradication of hunger, and transition of the nutritional status characterized by a decrease in malnutrition rates and an increase in obesity in Brazil. Particularly in reproductive health, the country experienced a significant drop in fertility, a decrease in maternal and child mortality, and an increase in breastfeeding rates. Universal access to prenatal care and hospital delivery was accompanied by an excessive number of cesareans without clinical indication and early-term births and premature births, largely due to scheduled cesareans. Articles with a longitudinal and transversal methodological approach are presented, using structural equation analysis and propensity score, together with multivariate regressions, which gave a robust analytical treatment to articles in this thematic issue.