Evolution of mortality rates among women of reproductive age in Brazilian municipalities: an ecological analysis using Global Burden of Disease estimates.

OBJECTIVES: Women's mortality at a reproductive age has been a global concern, and its decrease has been incorporated as a target of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The aim of this study was to describe the spatial-temporal evolution of mortality rates among women of reproductive age in Brazilian municipalities by groups of causes and socioeconomic indicators from 2000 to 2018. STUDY DESIGN: Ecological analysis. METHODS: This work was an ecological, descriptive study that analyzed estimates of mortality rates among women of reproductive age (15-49 years) by main groups of causes of death from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study in three consecutive trienniums, T1 (2000-2002), T2 (2009-2011), and T3 (2016-2018). To quantify the temporal evolution in mortality rates, the present study calculated the percentage change for each triennium. The spatial analysis of mortality rates was carried out using Moran's index. The Pearson coefficient was used to analyze the correlation between the data. RESULTS: A significant decline in mortality rates was found for all groups of causes in all regions of the country. Despite the downward trend, the percentage change from 2009 to 2011 to 2016 to 2018 showed a decrease in the group of Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) and external causes. The decline in mortality rates of women due to external causes showed only a minimal change in the North and Northeast regions from T2 to T3, whereas a cluster of neighboring municipalities with high mortality rates persisted in the municipalities of the South region and in the state of Roraima. The ranking of the main causes of death in Brazilian municipalities showed an increase in neoplasms in detriment to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). CONCLUSIONS: The main causes of death in women of reproductive age at a more local level could be used to recognize inequalities and to develop interventions aimed at tackling premature and preventable deaths.

Health of Holochilus chacarius (Rodentia: Cricetidae) in rice agroecosystem in a neotropical wetland assessed by histopathology.

Small mammals have a short lifetime and are strictly associated with their environment. This work aimed to use histopathology to assess the health of Holochilus chacarius in a rice agroecosystem in the Pantanal of Mato Grosso do Sul. During necropsy, fragments of the lung, kidney, skin, liver, and reproductive system of 33 animals were collected and submitted to histological processing. Tissue damages were evaluated as mild, moderate, and severe and arranged in a matrix for further statistical analysis. Furthermore, we used generalized linear models to verify the influence of tissue changes on the body condition, obtained by a regression between body mass and length. In the lungs, we found an intense inflammatory infiltrate associated with anthracosis that had a negative influence on the body's condition. Also, we observed degenerative and inflammatory changes in the liver, kidneys, skin, and reproductive system that ranged from mild to moderate. The histopathological lesions observed in this study may be associated with environmental alterations of anthropic origin such as the exposure to soot from wildfires and heavy metals, evidenced by lesions in the lung, kidney, and liver. The present study provided a histopathological matrix as a new approach that allows to classify and quantify the tissue alterations. Tissue changes when associated with body condition demonstrated to be an effective tool to assess the health of small free-living mammals, showing that these animals can be used as bioindicators of environmental condition.

The relationships among Leishmania infantum and phyllostomid bats assessed by histopathological and molecular assays.

Bats have been reported as reservoir host of Leishmania spp. worldwide, mostly by molecular detection. However, it is still unclear whether bats act as reservoirs of Leishmania infantum to sandflies vectors. In this sense, the investigation of amastigotes forms in the target organs, and the characterization of their associated inflammation, may help to clarify the epidemiological importance of bats in endemic areas for leishmaniasis. The aim of this work was to investigate the host-parasite relationships under microscopic evaluation and predict the epidemiological role of two phyllostomid bats species naturally infected by L. infantum in an endemic area for human leishmaniasis. Fragments of skin, liver and spleen of L. infantum positive and negative bats (Artibeus planirostris and Carollia perspicillata) by qPCR, were studied by histological and immunohistochemical techniques. Both groups, positive and negative, did not show differences in the histopathological study, presenting only discrete tissue changes. Liver and skin showed mild inflammatory reactions. Findings on spleen consisted of reactivity of the lymphoid follicles, expressive presence of apoptotic cells and macrophages containing abundant phagocytic cells debris. We did not find amastigote forms in tissues by histological and IHC techniques in positive qPCR bats. Our results allow us to hypothesize that phyllostomid bats seem to have an important role in reducing the risk of transmission, possibly acting as dead-end host.

Health effects associated with exposure to intimate partner violence against women and childhood sexual abuse: a burden of proof study.

The health impacts of intimate partner violence against women and childhood sexual abuse are not fully understood. Here we conducted a systematic review by comprehensively searching seven electronic databases for literature on intimate partner violence-associated and childhood sexual abuse-associated health effects. Following the burden of proof methodology, we evaluated the evidence strength linking intimate partner violence and/or childhood sexual abuse to health outcomes supported by at least three studies. Results indicated a moderate association of intimate partner violence with major depressive disorder and with maternal abortion and miscarriage (63% and 35% increased risk, respectively). HIV/AIDS, anxiety disorders and self-harm exhibited weak associations with intimate partner violence. Fifteen outcomes were evaluated for their relationship to childhood sexual abuse, which was shown to be moderately associated with alcohol use disorders and with self-harm (45% and 35% increased risk, respectively). Associations between childhood sexual abuse and 11 additional health outcomes, such as asthma and type 2 diabetes mellitus, were found to be weak. Although our understanding remains limited by data scarcity, these health impacts are larger in magnitude and more extensive than previously reported. Renewed efforts on violence prevention and evidence-based approaches that promote healing and ensure access to care are necessary.

Acceso y prácticas de higiene menstrual en América Latina: revisión de alcance / Menstrual hygiene access and practices in Latin America: scoping review / Acesso e práticas de higiene menstrual na América Latina: revisão de escopo

Objetivo: sintetizar la evidencia disponible relacionada con el acceso y las prácticas de higiene menstrual en América Latina y el Caribe. Método: revisión de alcance de la literatura con protocolo de investigación registrado en el Open Science Framework, realizada en las bases de datos bibliográficas: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science y Portal Regional da Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde. Los datos fueron analizados mediante estadística descriptiva simple y análisis temático. Resultados: se incluyeron 15 publicaciones, la mayoría de las cuales trataban sobre adolescentes en Brasil: 12 artículos, dos informes técnicos y una monografía de trabajo de conclusión de curso. Como temas recurrentes en las publicaciones se destacan: acceso a condiciones dignas para el manejo de la higiene menstrual; necesidad de acceso a información sobre el manejo de la higiene menstrual; y prácticas para el manejo de la higiene menstrual. Conclusión: adolescentes informan dificultades para acceder a baños, agua y materiales absorbentes, y falta de información sobre la salud menstrual, incluso en las escuelas, lo que lleva al ausentismo escolar. De esta manera, las lagunas en la literatura científica latinoamericana revelan desigualdades y diversidad en las experiencias menstruales interseccionadas por categorías como género, clase social y etnia.

Objective: to synthesize available evidence related to menstrual hygiene access and practices in Latin America and the Caribbean. Method: literature scoping review with research protocol registered in the Open Science Framework, carried out in the bibliographic databases: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Portal Regional da Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde. Data were analyzed using simple descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Results: 15 publications were included, the majority of which addressed adolescents in Brazil: 12 articles, two technical reports and a course conclusion monograph. As recurring themes in the publications, the following stand out: Access to dignified conditions for managing menstrual hygiene; Need for access to information on menstrual hygiene management; and Practices for managing menstrual hygiene. Conclusion: adolescents report difficulties in accessing toilets, water and absorbent materials, and lack of information about menstrual health, including in schools, leading to school absenteeism. Thus, gaps in the Latin American scientific literature reveal inequalities and diversity in menstrual experiences intersected by categories such as gender, social class and ethnicity

Objetivo: sintetizar evidências disponíveis relacionadas ao acesso e práticas de higiene menstrual na América Latina e Caribe. Método: revisão de escopo da literatura com protocolo de pesquisa registrado no Open Science Framework, realizada nas bases de dados bibliográficas: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science e Portal Regional da Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde. Os dados foram analisados por estatística descritiva simples e análise temática. Resultados: foram incluídas 15 publicações, cuja maioria abordava adolescentes no Brasil: 12 artigos, dois relatórios técnicos e uma monografia de trabalho de conclusão de curso. Como temas recorrentes nas publicações, destacam-se: acesso a condições dignas para o manejo da higiene menstrual; necessidade de acesso à informação sobre manejo da higiene menstrual; e práticas para manejo da higiene menstrual. Conclusão: adolescentes relatam dificuldades de acesso a sanitários, água e materiais absorventes, e falta de informação sobre saúde menstrual, inclusive nas escolas, levando ao absenteísmo escolar. Assim, lacunas na literatura científica latino-americana revelam desigualdades e diversidade nas experiências menstruais interseccionadas por categorias como gênero, classe social e etnia.

Menstrual hygiene access and practices in Latin America: scoping review. / Acceso y prácticas de higiene menstrual en América Latina: revisión de alcance.

OBJECTIVE: to synthesize available evidence related to menstrual hygiene access and practices in Latin America and the Caribbean. METHOD: literature scoping review with research protocol registered in the Open Science Framework, carried out in the bibliographic databases: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Portal Regional da Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde. Data were analyzed using simple descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. RESULTS: 15 publications were included, the majority of which addressed adolescents in Brazil: 12 articles, two technical reports and a course conclusion monograph. As recurring themes in the publications, the following stand out: Access to dignified conditions for managing menstrual hygiene; Need for access to information on menstrual hygiene management; and Practices for managing menstrual hygiene. CONCLUSION: adolescents report difficulties in accessing toilets, water and absorbent materials, and lack of information about menstrual health, including in schools, leading to school absenteeism. Thus, gaps in the Latin American scientific literature reveal inequalities and diversity in menstrual experiences intersected by categories such as gender, social class and ethnicity. HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Lack of access to hygiene products, toilets and water for personal hygiene. (2) Invisibility of the problem of period poverty in Latin America. (3) Lack of physical structure in schools aggravates and leads to school absenteeism. (4) Menstrual health literacy was insufficient for the demands of adolescents. (5) Primary studies on menstrual hygiene in Latin America are scarce.

Corrigendum: Leishmania infantum infecting the carnivore Nasua nasua from urban forest fragments in an endemic area of visceral leishmaniasis in Brazilian Midwest.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.1050339.].

Parental supervision and sexual behavior among Brazilian adolescents / Supervisão dos pais e comportamento sexual entre adolescentes brasileiros

ABSTRACT Objective: to evaluate the association between parental supervision and sexual behaviors among Brazilian adolescents. Methods: Cross-sectional study with data from 102,072 adolescents who responded to the National Adolescent School-based Health Survey. We estimated the prevalence of sexual behaviors (initiation, use of condoms, contraception, and number of partners). Parental supervision was evaluated using a score considering five indicators. We calculated prevalence ratios (PR) adjusted by age and sex in order to estimate the association between parental supervision score and sexual behaviors of adolescents. Results: Prevalence of risky sexual behavior for adolescents with minimum and maximum parental supervision were: sexual initiation (min.: 58.0%; max.: 20.1%), condom use in the last sexual intercourse (min.: 50.9%; max.: 80.2%), use of contraceptives (min.: 40.8; max.: 49.1%), and mean number of partners (min.: 3.25; max.: 2.88). Parental supervision was greater among girls. Those with higher supervision scores had higher prevalence of condom use in the first and last sexual intercourse and of contraceptive methods, and a smaller mean number of partners, even after adjustments for sex and age. Conclusion: The greater the parental supervision, the better the sexual behavior for both sexes, although supervision seems to occur differently between girls and boys. These findings point to the role of the family in providing adolescents with monitoring, along with dialogue and affection, conditions that encourage healthy and risk-free sexual behavior.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar a associação entre a supervisão dos pais e comportamentos sexuais entre os adolescentes brasileiros. Métodos: Estudo transversal com dados de 102.072 estudantes do 9º ano que responderam à Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar de 2015. Estimou-se a prevalência dos comportamentos sexuais (iniciação, uso de preservativo, contracepção e número de parcerias). A supervisão dos pais foi avaliada por meio de escore formado por cinco indicadores. Foram calculadas razões de prevalência ajustadas por sexo e idade para a análise das relações existentes entre o escore de supervisão dos pais e os comportamentos sexuais de adolescentes. Resultados: As prevalências de comportamentos sexuais em adolescentes com mínima e máxima supervisão parental foram: iniciação sexual (mín.: 58,0%; máx.: 20,1%), uso do preservativo na última relação sexual (mín.: 50,9%; máx.: 80,2%), de contraceptivos (mín.: 40,8; máx.: 49,1%) e número de parceiros (mín.: 3,25; máx.: 2,88). A supervisão parental apresentou maior magnitude no sexo feminino. Aqueles com maior escore de supervisão apresentaram maiores prevalências do uso de preservativos na primeira e última relação sexual, de métodos contraceptivos e menor média do número de parceiros, mesmo após ajustes por sexo e idade. Conclusão: Quanto maior a supervisão dos pais, melhores os comportamentos sexuais, para ambos os sexos, apesar de a supervisão ocorrer de forma diferenciada entre os sexos. Esses achados apontam o papel da família em proporcionar aos adolescentes monitoramento simultâneo ao diálogo e ao afeto, condição estimuladora do comportamento sexual saudável e livre de riscos.

Violence Against LGB+ people in Brazil: analysis of the 2019 National Survey of Health / Violência contra pessoas LGB+ no Brasil: análise da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde 2019

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the association between self-reported sexual orientation and violence in the Brazilian population. Methods: This cross-sectional epidemiological study used the 2019 National Survey of Health database. Total violence and its subtypes (psychological, physical, and sexual) were analyzed in the previous 12 months. Prevalence and odds ratio adjusted for age group were estimated, with their respective 95% confidence intervals, according to the self-reported sexual orientation of the Brazilian population aged 18 years and older. Statistical significance was set at 5%. Results: Most of the Brazilian population self-identified as heterosexual (94.75%) and 1.89% as LGB+. This percentage was lower than that of respondents who refused to answer the question (2.28%). The prevalence of violence in the general population of Brazil was 18.27%, and the most common subtype was psychological violence (17.36%). The LGB+ population was more than twice as likely to experience any type of violence. LGB+ women had the highest prevalence in all violence subtypes, and heterosexual men had the lowest. LGB+ women were over three times more likely to experience physical violence compared to heterosexual ones. Meanwhile, the probability of LGB+ men experiencing sexual violence was almost eight times higher than in heterosexual men. Conclusion: The prevalence of violence against the LGB+ population was high in the country. Public policies aimed at this population are necessary to fight discrimination against sexual diversity and ensure the rights of non-heterosexual people.

RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar a associação entre a orientação sexual autoidentificada e a violência na população brasileira. Métodos: Estudo epidemiológico transversal que utilizou base de dados da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde 2019. Analisaram-se a violência total e seus subtipos (psicológica, física e sexual) nos 12 meses anteriores. Estimou-se a prevalência e a odds ratio ajustada por faixa etária, com seus respectivos intervalos de confiança de 95%, segundo orientação sexual autoidentificada da população acima de 18 anos no Brasil. Considerou-se a significância estatística de 5%. Resultados: A população brasileira autoidentificou-se majoritariamente como heterossexual (94,75%), e 1,89% identificou-se como LGB+. Esse percentual foi inferior ao de entrevistados que se recusaram a responder à pergunta (2,28%). A prevalência da violência na população geral do Brasil foi de 18,27%, sendo o subtipo mais comum a violência psicológica (17,36%). A população LGB+ apresentou mais que o dobro de chances de sofrer qualquer tipo de violência. As mulheres LGB+ apresentaram as maiores prevalências de todos os subtipos de violência e os homens heterossexuais, as menores. Mulheres LGB+ tiveram mais de três vezes mais chances de sofrer violência física, comparadas às mulheres heterossexuais. Enquanto isso, homens LGB+ mostraram chances quase oito vezes maiores de sofrer violência sexual que os homens heterossexuais. Conclusão: A violência contra a população LGB+ apresentou alta prevalência no país. São necessárias políticas públicas voltadas a essa população para que se enfrente o preconceito contra a diversidade sexual e seja possível garantir os direitos das pessoas não heterossexuais.

Parental supervision and sexual behavior among Brazilian adolescentes / Supervisão dos pais e comportamento sexual entre adolescentes brasileiros

Objective: to evaluate the association between parental supervision and sexual behaviors among Brazilian adolescents. Methods: Cross-sectional study with data from 102,072 adolescents who responded to the National Adolescent Health Survey. We estimated the prevalence of sexual behaviors (initiation, use of condoms, contraception, and number of partners). Parental supervision was evaluated using a score           considering five indicators. We calculated prevalence ratios (PR) adjusted by age and sex in order to estimate the association between the parental supervision score and the sexual behaviors of the adolescents.  Results: Prevalence of risky sexual behavior for adolescents with minimum and maximum parental supervision were: sexual initiation (min.: 58.0%; max.: 20.1%), condom use in the last sexual intercourse (min.: 50.9%; max.: 80.2%), use of contraceptives (min.: 40.8; max.: 49.1%), and mean number of partners (min.: 3.25; max.: 2.88). Parental supervision was greater among girls. Those with greater supervision score had higher prevalence of condom use in the first and last sexual intercourse, use of contraceptive methods and a lower mean number of partners, even after adjustments for sex and age. Conclusion: The greater parental supervision, the better the sexual behavior for both sexes, although supervision seems to occur differently between girls and boys. These findings point to the role of the family in providing adolescents with monitoring, along with dialogue and affection, conditions that encourage healthy and risk-free sexual behavior.

Objetivo: Avaliar a associação entre a supervisão dos pais e comportamentos sexuais entre os adolescentes brasileiros. Métodos: Estudo transversal com dados de 102.072 estudantes do 9° ano que responderam à Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar de 2015. Estimou-se a prevalência dos comportamentos sexuais (iniciação, uso de preservativo, contracepção e número de parcerias). A supervisão dos pais foi avaliada por meio de escore formado por cinco indicadores. Foram calculadas razões de prevalência (RP) ajustadas por sexo e idade para análise das relações existentes entre o escore de supervisão dos pais e os comportamentos sexuais de adolescentes. Resultados: As prevalências de comportamentos sexuais em adolescentes com mínima e máxima supervisão parental foram: iniciação sexual (min.: 58,0%; máx.: 20,1%), uso do preservativo na última relação sexual (mín.: 50,9%; máx.: 80,2%), de contraceptivos (min.: 40,8; máx.: 49,1%), e número de parceiros (mín.: 3,25; máx.: 2,88). Supervisão parental apresentaram maior magnitude no sexo feminino. Aqueles com maior escore de supervisão, apresentaram maiores prevalências do uso de preservativos na primeira e última relação sexual, de métodos contraceptivos e menor média do número de parceiros, mesmo após ajustes por sexo e idade. Conclusão: Quanto maior a supervisão dos pais melhores os comportamentos sexuais, para ambos os sexos, apesar da supervisão ocorrer de forma diferenciada entre os sexos. Esses achados apontam o papel da família em proporcionar aos adolescentes monitoramento, simultâneo ao diálogo e ao afeto, condições estimuladoras ao comportamento sexual saudável e livre de riscos.

Violence Against LGB+ people in Brazil: analysis of the National Health Survey, 2019 / Violência contra pessoas LGB+ no Brasil: análise da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde, 2019

Objective: To analyze the association between self-reported sexual orientation and violence in the Brazilian population. Methods: Cross-sectional epidemiological study using the 2019 National Health Survey database. Total violence and its subtypes (psychological, physical, and sexual) in the last 12 months were analyzed. Prevalence and Adjusted Odds Ratio by age group were estimated, with their respective 95% confidence intervals, according to self-reported sexual orientation of the population over 18 years in Brazil. Statistical significance of 5% was considered. Results: The Brazilian population report themselves mostly as heterosexual (94.75%), and 1.89% declaring themselves LGB+. This percentage was lower than that of respondents who refused to answer the question (2.28%). The prevalence of violence in Brazil was 18.27%, the most common subtype being psychological violence (17.36%). The LGB+ population was more than twice as likely to experience any type of violence. LGB+ women had the highest prevalence of all subtypes of violence and heterosexual men the lowest. LGB+ women were more than three times more likely to experience physical violence compared to heterosexual women. Meanwhile, LGB+ men were almost eight times more likely to experience sexual violence than heterosexual men. Conclusions: Violence against the LGB+ population was highly prevalent in the country. Public Policies aimed at this population are necessary so that prejudice against sexual diversity is faced and it is possible to guarantee the rights of non-heterosexual people.

Objetivo: Analisar a associação entre a orientação sexual auto identificada e a violência na população brasileira. Métodos: Estudo epidemiológico transversal utilizando base de dados da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde 2019. Analisou-se a violência total e seus subtipos (psicológica, física e sexual) nos 12 meses anteriores. Estimou-se a prevalência e a Odds Ratio Ajustada por faixa etária, com seus respectivos intervalos de confiança de 95%, segundo orientação sexual auto identificada da população acima de 18 anos no Brasil. Considerou-se a significância estatística de 5%. Resultados: A população brasileira se auto identificou majoritariamente como heterossexual (94,75%), sendo que 1,89% se identificaram LGB+. Esse percentual foi inferior ao de entrevistados que se recusaram a responder à pergunta (2,28%). A prevalência da violência na população geral do Brasil foi de 18,27%, sendo o subtipo mais comum a violência psicológica (17,36%). A população LGB+ apresentou mais que o dobro de chances de sofrer qualquer tipo de violência. As mulheres LGB+ apresentaram as maiores prevalências de todos os subtipos de violência e os homens heterossexuais, as menores. Mulheres LGB+ tiveram mais de três vezes mais chances de sofrer violência física, comparadas as mulheres heterossexuais. Enquanto isso, homens LGB+ mostraram chances quase oito vezes maiores de sofrer violência sexual que os homens heterossexuais. Conclusões: A violência contra a população LGB+ apresentou alta prevalência no país. São necessárias Políticas Públicas voltadas a essa população para que se enfrente o preconceito contra a diversidade sexual e seja possível garantir os direitos das pessoas não-heterossexuais.

Brucellosis in the Brazilian Pantanal wetland: threat to animal production and wildlife conservation.

This review was performed to gather knowledge about brucellosis in livestock and wildlife in the Brazilian Pantanal, a biome with a huge biodiversity and extensive livestock production. Following the preferred reporting items for narrative review guidelines and using the terms "Brucella" and "Pantanal," we explored the PubMed, SciELO, Jstor, Science Direct, and Scholar Google databases. Information on host species, diagnostic test, number of positive animals, and positivity rates were acquired. Articles dating from 1998 to 2022 registered 14 studies including cattle, dogs, and the following wildlife species: Ozotoceros bezoarticus, Sus scrofa, Tayassu peccari, Nasua nasua, Cerdocyon thous, Panthera onca, Dasypus novemcintus, Cabassous unicinctus, Euphractus sexcinctus, Priodontes maximus, Myrmecophaga tridactyla and Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris. Brucella occurrence in cattle was demonstrated through the serological confirmatory test 2-mercaptoetanol. Molecular diagnosis detected Brucella abortus in dogs, smooth Brucella in O. beoarticus, and Brucella spp. in T. peccari. Cattle may have a pivotal importance in maintenance and spreading of Brucella spp. due to their high population density, environmental contamination from abortion of infected cows, and eventual excretion of B. abortus S19 strain from vaccinated heifers. The occurrence of Brucella spp. in O. bezoarticus and T. peccari represent a risk for wildlife conservation. These data indicate that Brucella spp. are enzootic in the Pantanal wetland, sustained by a reservoir system including domestic and wild mammals. Due to marked seasonality and large populations of wildlife species sharing same environments with livestock, brucellosis acquires great complexity in Pantanal and, therefore, must be analyzed considering both animal production and conservation.

The outcomes of polyparasitism in stray cats from Brazilian Midwest assessed by epidemiological, hematological and pathological data.

We evaluated the epidemiological, hematological, and pathological data of Leishmania spp., Toxoplasma gondii, Platynosomum illiciens, feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), and feline leukemia virus (FeLV) infections and the coinfections in stray cats of an endemic area for leishmaniasis. The diagnosis was performed by serological tests and necropsy. We described gross lesions and histopathological findings. We used immunohistochemistry and chromogenic in situ hybridization for L. infantum detection. We found infection in 27 out of 50 sampled cats, among them, 14 presented coinfections. A strong correlation between splenomegaly and lymphadenomegaly with FeLV, and an association between hepatic lesions and cachexia with parasitism due to P. illiciens were observed. Moreover, we found a significant increase in the monocyte count in the FeLV-infected and a decrease in the red blood cell count in the FIV-infected animals. Amastigote forms of Leishmania spp. and tissue changes were detected in lymphoid organs of an animal coinfected with P. illiciens, T. gondii, and FIV. Polyparasitism recorded in stray cats of the Brazilian Midwest should be considered in effective control strategies for public health diseases. Moreover, stray cats of Campo Grande may be a source of infection of FIV, FeLV and P. illiciens for populations of domiciled cats.

Covid-19 pandemic impacts on follow-up of child growth and development.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the impact of the covid-19 pandemic on the use of primary health care services to follow-up the child growth and development in Brazil. METHOD: A total of 7.9 million consultations of children (0-2 years old) across Brazil between March 2017 and May 2020 were studied. Differences between medians were analyzed using non-parametric tests, the Global Moran Index (IGM) and the Local Indicators of Spatial Association. RESULTS: During the initial period of the pandemic, the median number of consultations was significantly lower than the same period in previous years, reducing more than 50%. The drop in 2020, compared to 2019, ranged from 49% to 62.2% across all regions of the country, except the South. The percentage reduction registered in 2019-2020 showed significant spatial autocorrelation (IGM = 0.20; p = 0.04), with the presence of low-low (states with reduction between 29% and 51%) and high-high (states with reduction between 55% and 69%) spatial clusters. CONCLUSION: The covid-19 pandemic impacted the follow-up of child growth and development in primary health care services in Brazil, with a geographically uneven reduction.

Prevalência de indicadores de saúde sexual e reprodutiva dos adolescentes brasileiros: análise comparativa da pesquisa nacional de saúde do escolar 2015 e 2019 / Prevalencia de indicadores de salud sexual y reproductiva de los adolescentes brasileños: análisis comparativo de la encuesta nacional de salud escolar 2015 y 2019 / Prevalence of brazilian adolescents' sexual and reproductive health indicators: a comparative analysis of the 2015 and 2019 national school health survey

RESUMO Objetivo: comparar estimativas de prevalência de indicadores de saúde sexual e reprodutiva dos adolescentes brasileiros que participaram das edições 2015 e 2019 da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar (PeNSE). Método: estudo transversal que analisou dados de adolescentes escolares de 13 a 17 anos de idade respondentes da PeNSE 2015 e 2019. Estimou-se a prevalência dos indicadores com intervalos de 95% de confiança de acordo com o sexo, a faixa etária, a dependência administrativa da escola e a região. Resultados: destaca-se o aumento da prevalência de iniciação sexual precoce entre os mais novos, 171,2% entre os meninos e 425,2% entre as meninas. Também houve aumento da prevalência de gravidez na adolescência nas regiões Nordeste (376,9%) e Sudeste (416,6%), entre as mais jovens. Entre os adolescentes de 16 e 17 anos, houve redução do uso de preservativo na última relação e aumento na prevalência de recebimento de orientações sobre prevenção de gravidez e sobre HIV/Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis, entre os estudantes de escolas públicas. Houve redução na prevalência de acesso a essas orientações nas escolas privadas entre os mais jovens. Em 2019, observou-se redução no uso de pílulas anticoncepcionais entre as adolescentes mais novas das regiões Norte, Sudeste e Centro-Oeste. Conclusão: houve piora na prevalência dos comportamentos sexuais de risco em adolescentes brasileiros, incluindo o aumento da gravidez em algumas regiões do país. Ressalta-se a importância da cooperação entre os serviços de saúde e de educação, que devem estar alinhados para promover melhores hábitos de vida, destacando os de saúde sexual e reprodutiva entre os jovens.

RESUMEN Objetivo: comparar las estimaciones de prevalencia de los indicadores de salud sexual y reproductiva de los adolescentes brasileños que participaron en las ediciones 2015 y 2019 de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud Escolar (PeNSE). Método: estudio transversal que analizó los datos de los adolescentes escolares de 13 a 17 años encuestados en la PeNSE 2015 y 2019. La prevalencia de los indicadores se estimó con intervalos de confianza del 95% según el sexo, el grupo de edad, la dependencia administrativa del centro escolar y la región. Resultados: Se distingue el aumento de la prevalencia de la iniciación sexual precoz, entre los más jóvenes, 171,2% entre los chicos y 425,2% entre las chicas. También hubo aumento de la prevalencia de embarazo en la adolescencia en las regiones Nordeste (376,9%) y Sudeste (416,6%), entre los más jóvenes. Entre los adolescentes de 16 y 17 años, hubo reducción del uso del preservativo en la última relación y aumento en la prevalencia de recibir orientación sobre prevención de embarazo y sobre VIH/infecciones sexualmente transmisibles, entre los alumnos de escuelas públicas. La prevalencia del acceso a esta orientación en las escuelas privadas se redujo entre los más jóvenes. En 2019, se redujo el uso de píldoras anticonceptivas entre los adolescentes más jóvenes de las regiones Norte, Sureste y Centro-Oeste. Conclusión: hubo un empeoramiento de la prevalencia de los comportamientos sexuales de riesgo en los adolescentes brasileños, incluyendo un aumento de los embarazos en algunas regiones del país. Se destaca la importancia de la cooperación entre los servicios sanitarios y educativos, que deben estar alineados, para promover mejores hábitos de vida, destacando los de salud sexual y reproductiva entre los jóvenes.

ABSTRACT Objective: to compare prevalence estimates of sexual and reproductive health indicators among Brazilian adolescents who participated in the 2015 and 2019 editions of the National School Health Survey (Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar, PeNSE). Method: a cross-sectional study that analyzed data from in-school adolescents aged from 13 to 17 years old who answered the 2015 and 2019 editions of PeNSE. Prevalence of the indicators was estimated with 95% confidence intervals according to gender, age group, the school's administrative system and region. Results: the increase in the prevalence of early initiation of sexual activity stands out among the youngest adolescents: 171.2% in the boys and 452.2% in the girls. An increase in the prevalence of teenage pregnancy was also recorded in the Northeast (376.9%) and Southeast (416.6%) regions in the youngest subjects. Among the in-school adolescents aged 16 and 17 from public institutions there was a reduction in condom use in the last intercourse and an increase in the prevalence of receiving guidelines on pregnancy prevention and about HIV/Sexually Transmitted Infections. There was a reduction in the prevalence of access to these guidelines in private schools among the youngest students. In 2019, a reduction in the use of contraceptive pills was observed among the youngest female adolescents from the North, Southeast and Midwest regions. Conclusion: the prevalence of risk sexual behaviors worsened among Brazilian adolescents, including an increase in the number of pregnancies in some regions of the country. The importance of cooperation between the health and education services is emphasized, which should be aligned to promote better life habits, with those related to sexual and reproductive health among young people standing out.

Prevalência de violência sexual em escolares no Brasil: dados da pesquisa nacional de saúde do escolar 2019 / Prevalencia de la violencia sexual en estudiantes en Brasil: datos de la encuesta nacional de salud escolar 2019 / Prevalence of sexual violence among schoolchildren in Brazil: data from the 2019 national school health

RESUMO Objetivo: analisar a prevalência de violência sexual entre escolares adolescentes de 13 a 17 anos no Brasil. Métodos: estudo transversal com dados da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar de 2019. Foram analisadas as prevalências de abuso sexual e estupro e seus respectivos intervalos de confiança de 95% (IC95%) envolvendo escolares de 13 a 17 anos no Brasil, de acordo com sexo, faixa etária, tipo de instituição, agressor, região admisnistrativa de residência e unidades federadas. Resultados: a prevalência de abuso sexual entre escolares foi de 14,6% (IC95%:14,2;15,1) e de estupro foi de 6,3% (IC95%:6,0;6,6). Maiores prevalências ocorreram entre adolescentes do sexo feminino e da faixa etária de 16 e 17 anos. O agressor mais comum para ambos indicadores foi namorado(a), ex-namorado(a), ficante ou crush. Entre os escolares que sofreram estupro, mais da metade relatou ter sofrido essa violência antes dos 13 anos de idade (53,2%; IC95%: 51,0;55,4). Conclusão: a violência sexual tem elevada prevalência entre os escolares de 13 a 17 anos no Brasil, além de as agressões serem perpetradas, em sua maior parte, por pessoas do núcleo familiar e das relações íntimas e de afeto. É necessário que haja articulação intersetorial para desenvolver políticas públicas que atuem no enfrentamento ao problema.

RESUMEN Objetivo: analizar la prevalencia de la violencia sexual entre los estudiantes adolescentes de 13 a 17 años en Brasil. Métodos: estudio transversal con datos de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud Escolar 2019. Se analizó la prevalencia de abuso sexual y violación y sus respectivos intervalos de confianza del 95% (IC95%) que involucran a estudiantes de 13 a 17 años en Brasil, según sexo, grupo de edad, tipo de institución, agresor, región administrativa de residencia y unidades federadas. Resultados: la prevalencia de los abusos sexuales entre los estudiantes fue del 14,6% (IC95%:14,2;15,1) y de la violación fue del 6,3% (IC95%:6,0;6,6). La mayor prevalencia se dio entre las adolescentes mujeres y en el grupo de edad de 16 y 17 años. El agresor más común para ambos indicadores fue el novio/novia, ex novio, amante o enamorado. Entre los estudiantes que sufrieron una violación, más de la mitad declaró haber sufrido esta violencia antes de los 13 años (53,2%; IC95%: 51,0;55,4). Conclusión: la violencia sexual tiene una alta prevalencia entre los escolares de 13 a 17 años en Brasil, además de que las agresiones son perpetradas principalmente por personas del núcleo familiar y de las relaciones íntimas y afectivas. Es necesario que haya una articulación intersectorial para desarrollar políticas públicas que actúen para enfrentar el problema.

ABSTRACT Objective: to analyze the prevalence of sexual violence among schoolchildren aged from 13 to 17 years old in Brazil. Methods: a cross-sectional study conducted with data from the 2019 National School Health Survey. The prevalence values for sexual abuse and rape and their respective 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) involving students aged from 13 to 17 years old in Brazil were analyzed according to gender, age group, type of institution, aggressor, administrative region of residence and federated units. Results: the prevalence of sexual abuse among schoolchildren was 14.6% (95% CI: 14.2; 15.1) and the one for rape was 6.3% (95% CI: 6.0; 6.6). Higher prevalence values were found among female adolescents an in the age group of 16 and 17 years old. The most common aggressor for both indicators was boyfriend/girlfriend, ex-boyfriend, date or crush. Among the schoolchildren who were victims of rape, more than half reported having suffered this type of violence before 13 years of age (53.2%; 95% CI: 51.0; 55.4). Conclusion: sexual violence has high prevalence among schoolchildren aged from 13 to 17 years old in Brazil, in addition to the aggressions being mostly perpetrated by people from the family nucleus and by individuals with intimate and affection ties. Intersectoral articulation is necessary to develop public policies that act on coping with the problem.

Polyoxovanadates as new P-glycoprotein inhibitors: insights into the mechanism of inhibition.

A promising strategy to overcome multidrug resistance is the use of inhibitors of ABC drug transporters. For this reason, we evaluated the polyoxovanadates (POVs) [V10 O28 ]6- (V10 ), [H6 V14 O38 (PO4 )]5- (V14 ), [V15 O36 Cl]6- (V15 ) and [V18 O42 I]7- (V18 ) as inhibitors of three major multidrug resistance-linked ABC transporters: P-glycoprotein (P-gp), ABCG2 and MRP1. All of the POVs selectively inhibited P-gp. V10 and V18 were the two most promising compounds, with IC50 values of transport inhibition of 25.4 and 22.7 µm, respectively. Both compounds inhibited P-gp ATPase activity, with the same IC50 value of 1.26 µm. V10 and V18 triggered different conformational changes in the P-gp protein with time-dependent inhibition, which was confirmed using the synthesized salt of V10 with rhodamine B, RhoB-V10 . The hydrophilic nature of POVs supports the hypothesis that these compounds target an unusual ligand-binding site, opening new possibilities in the development of potent modulators of ABC transporters.

Leishmania infantum infecting the carnivore Nasua nasua from urban forest fragments in an endemic area of visceral leishmaniasis in Brazilian Midwest.

Introduction: The aim of the present study was to investigate the occurrence of Leishmania infantum in South American coatis inhabiting two forest fragments in Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Midwest region of Brazil, an endemic area of human and canine visceral leishmaniasis (VL). Material and methods: A total of 110 South American coatis were sampled in the conservation unit "Parque Estadual do Prosa" (PEP) and in the residential area "Vila da Base Aérea" (VBA) from March 2018 to April 2019. As a longitudinal study that include up to six recaptures of the same individual, a total of 190 capture events were obtained. Blood, bone marrow and skin samples were obtained for parasitological (axenic culture), serological (Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay - ELISA and Dual-path Platform immunoassay - DPP® CVL) and molecular diagnostic assays (targeting kDNA for Leishmania spp. and L. infantum; and HSP70 followed by sequence analysis). Results: Seropositivity for L. infantum was found in 33 individuals, six in PEP and 27 in VBA. Furthermore, L. infantum was detected by molecular analysis in 16 individuals, seven from PEP and nine from VBA. We also isolated L. infantum from bone marrow of one individual and detected a single positive skin sample in molecular assay from other individual, both from VBA. Discussion: An overall infection rate of 36.4% (40/110) was observed, significantly higher in the VBA (49.1%) than in the PEP (21.6%), probably because VBA presents: (i) a large number of resident dogs and chickens that would be attracting sandflies; (ii) a denser population of this wild mammal species; and (iii) physical barriers and a lack of functional connectivity in the surroundings, preventing these animals to disperse out. We conclude that South American coati populations living in urban forest fragments of Campo Grande are affected by the epidemiological scenario of VL, known to involve dogs, vectors and humans. We highlight the importance of investigate the parasitism by L. infantum in this and other potential L. infantum reservoirs that inhabit urbanized regions endemic to VL.

Covid-19 pandemic impacts on follow-up of child growth and development

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To analyze the impact of the covid-19 pandemic on the use of primary health care services to follow-up the child growth and development in Brazil. METHOD A total of 7.9 million consultations of children (0-2 years old) across Brazil between March 2017 and May 2020 were studied. Differences between medians were analyzed using non-parametric tests, the Global Moran Index (IGM) and the Local Indicators of Spatial Association. RESULTS During the initial period of the pandemic, the median number of consultations was significantly lower than the same period in previous years, reducing more than 50%. The drop in 2020, compared to 2019, ranged from 49% to 62.2% across all regions of the country, except the South. The percentage reduction registered in 2019-2020 showed significant spatial autocorrelation (IGM = 0.20; p = 0.04), with the presence of low-low (states with reduction between 29% and 51%) and high-high (states with reduction between 55% and 69%) spatial clusters. CONCLUSION The covid-19 pandemic impacted the follow-up of child growth and development in primary health care services in Brazil, with a geographically uneven reduction.

Tick-borne zoonotic agents infecting horses from an urban area in Midwestern Brazil: epidemiological and hematological features.

The emergence of tick-borne diseases has been reported as a serious problem in public health worldwide and many aspects of its epidemiology and effects on the health of its hosts are unclear. We aimed to perform an epidemiological study of tick-borne zoonotic Rickettsia, Borrelia, and Anaplasmataceae in horses from Midwestern Brazil. We also evaluated whether Borrelia spp. and Anaplasmataceae may be associated with hematological disorders in the sampled animals. Blood and serum samples as well as ticks were collected from 262 horses. Serum samples were used to perform serological tests, and hematological analyses were made using whole blood. Furthermore, DNA extracted from whole blood and ticks was used for molecular tests. Campo Grande is enzootic for tick-borne studied bacteria, since we found an overall exposure of 59.9% of the sampled horses, 28.7% of them presented co-exposure. Seropositivity rates of 20.6% for Borrelia spp., 25.6% for Rickettsia spp., and 31.6% for Anaplasmataceae were found in the sampled horses. Considering both molecular and serological tests for Borrelia spp., the infection rate was 48.0% (126/262). None of the tested horses showed molecular positivity for Anaplasma phagocytophilum. The horses sampled displayed 7.2% of parasitism by ixodid ticks in single and coinfestations. We did not find DNA of any studied bacteria in the sampled ticks. Positive horses for Borrelia spp. and Anaplasmataceae agents displayed leukopenia, monocytopenia, and lymphopenia. Together, our results suggest that horses may play a role as sentinel host for zoonotic bacteria and Borrelia spp. and Anaplasmataceae agents can impair the health of horses.