19th Seminar on Tropical Pathology and Public Health 12th Biotechnology Week 1st Physical Therapy Week, Virtual, 23-25 November 2022

These proceedings comprise 85 articles spanning diverse fields such as bacteriology, molecular biology, biotechnology, dermatology, infectious and parasitic diseases, epidemiology, physiotherapy, immunology, mycology, parasitology, pathology, collective health, and virology. The articles delve into a wide range of research topics, from repurposing drugs for Mycobacterium abscessus complex infections to utilising artificial intelligence for SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis. In bacteriology, investigations explore the correlation between smoking and Helicobacter pylori infection in gastric adenocarcinoma patients, as well as the resistance profiles of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in tracheostomised children. Molecular biology studies focus on gene polymorphisms related to diseases like paracoccidioidomycosis. Biotechnology research emphasises bioactive molecules in species like Croton urucurana and the development of computational models for cytotoxicity prediction. Dermatology articles address stability characterisation in vegetable oil-based nanoemulsions. The section on infectious and parasitic diseases encompasses studies on COVID-19 vaccine response in pregnant women and the impact of infection prevention measures in rehabilitation hospitals. Epidemiology investigations analyse trends in premature mortality, tuberculosis in diabetic patients, and public adherence to non-pharmacological COVID-19 measures. Physiotherapy research covers topics such as telerehabilitation through a developed game and the prevalence of congenital anomalies. Immunology studies explore immune responses in HIV and Leishmaniasis, whilst mycology investigates the biotechnological potential of fungi from the cerrado biome. Parasitology research evaluates treatment efficacy against vectors parasites such as Aedes aegypti and Toxoplasma gondii. Pathology articles discuss intentional intoxication in cattle and the influence of curcumin on acute kidney injury therapy. Collective health studies focus on intervention plan development in healthcare settings and pesticide use in horticulture. Lastly, virology research investigates parvovirus occurrence in hospitalised children during the COVID-19 pandemic, hidden hepatitis B virus infection in inmates, and the prevalence of HPV and HTLV-1/2 infections in specific populations.

Frequency of human papilomavirus and associated factors in gypsy and quilombola women : Human papillomavirus in gypsy and quilombola women.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection in the general population is widely known, however, there are still few studies related to this infection in minority groups, Thus, the objective is to analyze the frequency of human papillomavirus and associated factors in quilombola and gypsy women. METHODS: Cross-sectional research with 145 quilombola and gypsy women from Caxias, Maranhão. Two Pap smear collections were performed and a questionnaire with 46 questions was applied between January, 2020 and March, 2021. Descriptive analysis and Odds Ratio with 95% confidence interval were performed. The research was approved by the ethics committee. RESULTS: There were 09 cases of atypia. The frequency of human papillomavirus was 41.37%, with a higher risk in quilombolas 55 (91.70%). Multiple infections were prevalent (53%) with high-risk genotypes 21 (35%). Types 16 and 18 together accounted for 42.85% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of human papillomavirus infection was higher than those recorded in the Northeast and Brazil, and therefore type 16 predominated. Due to limitations, the virus lineages and sublineages were not evaluated. Quilombola women had a higher rate of infection than gypsies.

Computational predictors of the predominant protein function: SARS-CoV-2 case

In this chapter, we describe the main molecular features of SARS-CoV-2 that cause COVID-19 disease, as well as a high-efficiency computational prediction called Polarity Index Method®. We also introduce a molecular classification of the RNA virus and DNA virus families and two main classifications: supervised and non-supervised algorithms of the predictions of the predominant function of proteins. Finally, some results obtained by the proposed non-supervised method are given, as well as some particularities found about the linear representation of proteins. © 2022 Scrivener Publishing LLC.

Vaccine success and challenges in northern Australia. (Special Issue: Infectious diseases in northern Australia.)

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in rural and remote Australia have lower vaccine coverage rates and experience higher rates of notification and hospitalisations for vaccine preventable diseases than non-Aboriginal people. This paper explores important public health and research activities being undertaken in the Northern Territory to reduce this disparity in vaccine program performance, with a particular focus on rotavirus, meningococcal, human papilloma virus and COVID-19 vaccines.

Discovery of novel papillomaviruses in the critically endangered Malayan and Chinese pangolins.

Pangolins are scaly and toothless mammals which are distributed across Africa and Asia. Currently, the Malayan, Chinese and Philippine pangolins are designated as critically endangered species. Although few pangolin viruses have been described, their viromes have received more attention following the discovery that they harbour sarbecoviruses related to SARS-CoV-2. Using large-scale genome mining, we discovered novel lineages of papillomaviruses infecting the Malayan and Chinese pangolins. We were able to assemble three complete circular papillomavirus genomes with an intact coding capacity and five additional L1 genes encoding the major capsid protein. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that seven out of eight L1 sequences formed a monophyletic group which is the sister lineage to the Tupaia belangeri papillomavirus 1, isolated from Yunnan province in China. Additionally, a single L1 sequence assembled from a Chinese pangolin was placed in a clade closer to Alphapapillomavirus and Omegapapillomavirus. Examination of the SRA data from 95 re-sequenced genomes revealed that 49.3% of Malayan pangolins and 50% of Chinese pangolins were positive for papillomavirus reads. Our results indicate that pangolins in South-East Asia are the hosts of diverse and highly prevalent papillomaviruses, and highlight the value of in silico mining of host sequencing data for the discovery of novel viruses.

9th Annual Symposium on Global Cancer Research;Global Cancer Research and Control: Looking Back and Charting a Path Forward, 10-11 March 2021

These proceedings contains 114 articles that discuss building toward resilient health systems as the main topic of the first ASGCR plenary. Speakers stressed the significance of collaborations, adaptation, and innovation while highlighting crucial gaps that have appeared in the face of serious threats and emergencies like COVID-19, climate change, and political shifts. In order to close the gap between research and practice in cancer prevention and control in LMICs, this workshop covered evidence-based and cutting-edge solutions. The sometimes transient nature of many programs and initiatives was discussed, along with the difficulties of sustainability in the face of conflicting priorities and dangers to reliable health systems. Nevertheless, even as it discussed past failings, the event also recognised significant gains and started a conversation about resilient building patterns. The second plenary addressed equality in international cancer research, acknowledging the inequalities in the field's translational capacity. Research in LMICs has frequently led to important advances in cancer science, such as the early Burkitt lymphoma treatment trials in Uganda and the human papillomavirus immunisation trials in Costa Rica. The LMIC groups who contributed to these triumphs have frequently not received the rewards of this progress fairly. Inequities in cancer between high-income countries (HIC) and low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) also lead to research that fails to take into account the entire scientific worth of studies carried out in LMICs as well as the worldwide burden of disease. Established power imbalances that are frequently related to funding sources can hinder the development of HIC's career and local knowledge. To ensure the translation of research findings, suggestions included multisectoral stakeholder engagement across entire health systems, such as finance and education, as well as proper humility and listening on the part of HIC researchers and funders. Additionally, the chance for two-way information exchange and learning, respecting local knowledge, and developing trust to ensure successful relationships were noted. In turn, successful collaborations and active community involvement were considered as the way to effectively translate and disseminate research findings.

Routine vaccination coverage - worldwide, 2020

This report, which updates previous reports, presents estimates of global, regional, and national vaccination coverage and trends as of 2020. It describes the changes in vaccination coverage and the numbers of unvaccinated and undervaccinated children as measured by receipt of the first and third doses of diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis-containing vaccine (DTP)in 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic began, compared with 2019. Global coverage estimates with the third dose of DTP (DTP3) and a polio vaccine (Pol3) fell from 86% in 2019 to 83% in 2020. Similarly, MCV1 coverage fell from 86% in 2019 to 84% in 2020. The last year the coverage estimates were at 2020 levels was 2009 for DTP3 and 2014 for both MCV1 and the third dose of Pol (Pol3). Worldwide, 22.7 million children(17% of the target population) did not receive DTP in 2020, compared with 19.0 million (14%) in 2019. Children who did not receive the first DTP dose (DTP1) by age 12 months (zero-dose children) accounted for 95%of the increased number. Among those who did not receive DTP3 in 2020, approximately 17.1 million (75%)were zero-dose children. Global coverage decreased in 2020 compared with 2019 estimates for the completion of Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), hepatitis B vaccine (HepB), human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV),and rubella-containing vaccine (RCV). To reach full coverage with all recommended vaccines, tailored strategies will be needed, especially to reach communities with a lot of children who haven't had any or enough vaccines.

"Fuzheng Quxie" and antiviral effect of Ganoderma (Lingzhi)

"Fuzheng Quxie" is an important theory of TCM related to prevention and cure of diseases. By enhancing the body immunity, Ganoderma (Lingzhi) indirectly inhibits the virus invasion, proliferation and destruction in the human body ("Fuzheng" means strengthening and consolidating body resistance). It can also directly inhibit and kill viruses ("Quxie" means dispelling evil). Lingzhi and its active components have antiviral effects on influenza virus, herpes virus, hepatitis B virus, human immunodeficiency virus, Newcastle disease virus, dengue virus and enterovirus. Lingzhi preparations alone or with antiviral drugs can treat hepatitis B, herpes zoster, recurrent genital herpes, condyloma acuminatum, infectious mononucleosis of children, cervical papillomavirus infection and AIDS. In addition, the possibility of preventing and treating COVID-19 (corona virus disease 2019) with Lingzhi was discussed.

The seasonal and demographic trends of national cervical cancer screening program: the effects of COVID 19 pandemic

Objective: Worldwide applied national HPV screening programmes are the most efficient, reliable and cost-effective method in prevention of cervical cancer by detecting persistent HPV infection before the formation of precancerous lesions. The primary aim of this study is to investigate the screening percentages, screening numbers based on districts, HPV percentage in women enrolled for screening and the distribution of HPV genotypes in Nigde. The secondary aim is to investigate the effects of COVID-19 pandemic on HPV screening program.

Vitamin A and viral infection in critical care

Vitamin A is fat-soluble compounds of retinoid derivate, consisting of retinol, retinal, and retinyl esters. Vitamin A also affects cell growth and differentiation, playing a critical role in the normal formation and function of the heart, lungs, kidneys, and other organs. According to the role of vitamin A in enhancing immune function, it is known as an anti-inflammatory agent. Also, vitamin A supplementation by reducing morbidity and mortality in different infectious diseases, such as measles, diarrheal disease, measles-related pneumonia, human immunodeficiency virus infection, and malaria considered as a crucial factor against infection. So vitamin A deficiency can be life-threatening, because of impairing the response to infection and significant risk of development of severe respiratory infections in infants and young children. In this paper, we have discussed the effects of vitamin A in modulating immune responses in viral infections and the direct effects of this vitamin on viral replication by comparing its role during different types of viral infections.

Special Issue: Predictive, preventive and personalised (3P) medical approach in population health: life-style and sleep quality, periodontal health, microbiome, anti-cancer and anti-COVID-19 protection. (Special Issue: Predictive, preventive and personalised (3P) medical approach in population health: life-style and sleep quality, periodontal health, microbiome, anti-cancer and anti-COVID-19 protection.)

This special issue contains 8 articles that discuss topics such as: blood transcriptome profiling as potential biomarkers of suboptimal health status;periodontal health related-inflammatory and metabolic profiles of patients with end-stage renal disease;population health in focus of predictive, preventive and personalised (3P) medical approach;metabolomics platform for lifestyle monitoring supporting the development of novel strategies in predictive, preventive and personalised medicine;flavonoids as an effective sensitizer for anti-cancer therapy;positive influence of gut microbiota on the effects of Korean red ginseng in metabolic syndrome;the interplay between the vaginal microbiome and innate immunity in the focus of predictive, preventive, and personalized medical approach to combat HPV-induced cervical cancer;and sleep quality and COVID-19 outcomes.

Study on the potential mechanism of Fufang Yinhua Jiedu granules based on network pharmacology in the treatment of novel coronavirus

Objective To explore the potential effect and mechanism of Fufang Yinhua Jiedu Granules against the coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) by means of network pharmacology, and then to verify its anti-coronavirus effect through in vitro models.