Emotional contagion behavior in a group of young girls in a secondary school in Maputo, Mozambique.

BACKGROUND: Emotional Contagion Behavior (ECB), the synchronized expression of emotional symptoms among members of a group, has been observed globally. In Mozambique, there have been numerous reports of ECB in recent years. Since 2010 several girls from a secondary school in Maputo City, Mozambique exhibited ECB which involved repeated fainting spells, sometimes including verbal aggression and threats to colleagues and teachers. We conducted a study to analyze sociodemographic and clinical characteristics associated with ECB. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 154 females aged from 16 to 24 years old. We considered emotional contagion behavior as repeated fainting spells, sometimes including verbal aggression and threats to others (colleagues and teachers). Participants responded to a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Beck Anxiety Scale, and the revised Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ-R). Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models analyzed sociodemographic and clinical characteristics associated with EBC. RESULTS: Among study participants, 57 presented ECB and 97 did not. The likelihood of ECB was higher among those with previous history of ECB (OR = 8.28, 95% CI [2.51, 27.30]; p ⩽ .001) and extroverted personality profile (OR = 1.15, 95% CI [1.01, 1.30]; p = .038). Having a romantic relationship was related to lower likelihood of having ECB (OR = 0.04, 95% CI [0.01, 0.19]; p = .001). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that ECB may repeat over time and be related to challenges pertaining to personality development, the presence of sexual life, and close relationships with peers faced by adolescent girls.

Psychiatry and mental health teaching programs of eight portuguese-speaking schools of medicine: A comparative analysis.

Background: Improvement of teaching methods in psychiatry has been the subject of permanent adaptation and innovation. Strengthening graduate education skills in psychiatry and mental health will allow physicians to have the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to carry out early diagnosis and treatment at primary healthcare settings, taking into consideration that the population should benefit from the best interventions by general practitioners. Objective: The objective of this study was to examine how the undergraduate program of psychiatry and mental health subject in the schools of medicine of the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries in the three continents is structured. Methods: The methods include a narrative description of the program of psychiatry, the workload, the delivery and assessment methods, and the ethical and socio-cultural aspects in psychiatry and research made by the director of the course of psychiatry in Portugal, Brazil, and Mozambique. Results: Eight schools of medicine from Portugal, Brazil, and Mozambique participated in the study. All these schools use standards which are defined by the regulatory bodies of their countries. The teaching year varied between the third and the sixth. The workload varied between 140 and 224 h. Topics were addressed in presence or virtual methods. Combined qualitative and quantitative assessment is done to encompass competencies, skills and knowledge based on clinical histories, ongoing assessment, seminars, and final written tests. Ethical and socio-cultural aspects in various strands are taught to be linked to the local reality. Research is encouraged by using grants. Conclusion: Teaching psychiatry follows global and national standards and is organized according to the reality of each country. Psychiatry departments from these three continents invest in teaching methodologies that encourage self-knowledge and the development of critical thinking, which is evaluated in a holistic context. The authors consider that the programs should have a workload according to the current burden of mental illness.

The Impact of Mental Illness Stigma on Psychiatric Emergencies.

Psychiatric emergencies are severe behavioral changes secondary to worsening mental illness. Such situations present a risk to the patient and other people, so they need immediate therapeutic intervention. They are associated with feelings of fear, anger, prejudice, and even exclusion. The attitudes of professionals and factors related to the workplace culture in health can help to perpetuate stereotypes and interfere with the quality of care. Stigma has undesirable consequences in patients with mental disorders. Certain measures can reduce stigma and provide a more dignified way for patients to recover from the crisis. This article aims to discuss the causes of stigma, ways of dealing with it, and achievements that have been made in psychiatric emergency care settings.

Cognition As a Therapeutic Target in the Suicidal Patient Approach.

The current considerations about completed suicides and suicide attempts in different cultures call the attention of professionals to this serious public health problem. Integrative approaches have shown that the confluence of multiple biological and social factors modulate various psychopathologies and dysfunctional behaviors, such as suicidal behavior. Considering the level of intermediate analysis, personality traits and cognitive functioning are also of great importance for understanding the suicide phenomenon. About cognitive factors, we can group them into cognitive schemas of reality interpretation and underlying cognitive processes. On the other hand, different types of primary cognitive alterations are related to suicidal behavior, especially those resulting from changes in frontostriatal circuits. Among such cognitive mechanisms can be highlighted the attentional bias for environmental cues related to suicide, impulsive behavior, verbal fluency deficits, non-adaptive decision-making, and reduced planning skills. Attentional bias consists in the effect of thoughts and emotions, frequently not conscious, about the perception of environmental stimuli. Suicidal ideation and hopelessness can make the patient unable to find alternative solutions to their problems other than suicide, biasing their attention to environmental cues related to such behavior. Recent research efforts are directed to assess the possible use of attention bias as a therapeutic target in patients presenting suicide behavior. The relationship between impulsivity and suicide has been largely investigated over the last decades, and there is still controversy about the theme. Although there is strong evidence linking impulsivity to suicide attempts. Effective interventions address to reduce impulsivity in clinical populations at higher risk for suicide could help in the prevention. Deficits in problem-solving ability also seem to be distorted in patients who attempt suicide. Understanding cognitive changes in patients who attempt suicide open an important perspective in the approach of patients with mental disorders. Identifying cognitive deficits in these patients, along with personality traits, depressive symptoms, and suicidal cognitive schemas may indicate to the psychiatrist the need for emergency care. Behavioral and cognitive interventions have been associated with reductions in suicide ideation, as well as suicide attempts in different populations.

Molecular and morphologic characterization of Sarcocystis felis (Apicomplexa: Sarcocystidae) in South American wild felids from Brazil.

Wild felids are thought to share parasites with domestic cats. However, little is known of the coccidian parasites of wild felids. We investigated the presence of Sarcocystis spp. in tissues of 6 species of 90 Neotropical small felids killed in road accidents in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil by using microscopic and molecular techniques. Formalin-fixed tissues from 28 felids were examined, and Sarcocystis felis-like sarcocysts were detected in 4 wild cats (2 Puma yagouaroundi and 2 Leopardus guttulus). By transmission electron microscopy, sarcocysts from a P. yagouaroundi were identical to S. felis from domestic cats in the USA. Direct sequencing of PCR amplicons resulted the unambiguous sequences of the ITS-1 region from 18 of the 31 PCR positive wild cats; 5 sequences from each P. yagouaroundi, and Leopardus geoffroyi, 4 sequences from L. guttulus, and 2 sequences from each Leopardus wiedii, and Leopardus colocolo. Sequences analysis of ITS-1 region revealed the highest identiy (97-99%) with that of previously describe isolates of S. felis from domestic cats in the USA and identified them as S. felis. Tissues of 1 Leopardus pardalis tested by PCR and histology were negative. The phylogenetic relationship indicated that S. felis is quite different to species which employ opossums as their definitive host. This is the first report of S. felis infection in small wild felids from Brazil.

Prevalência da infecção por Giardia sp. em cães do município de Porto Alegre-RS, comparação entre duas populações: cães de rua e cães com proprietário provenientes de áreas de vulnerabilidade social / Prevalence of infection by Giardia sp. in dogs in the municipality of Porto Alegre-RS, comparison between two populations: street dogs and dogs with owner in areas of social vulnerability

Determinar a prevalência da infecção por Giardia sp. na população de cães com proprietário provenientes de áreas de periferia do município de Porto Alegre, comparando com a prevalência de cães de rua, recolhidos ao canil municipal. Métodos - O ensaio foi realizado através da análise de amostras de fezes pelo método de centrífugo-flutuação em sulfato de zinco 33% - técnica de Faust et al. Foi avaliada a relevância das variáveis: idade, sexo, convivência com outros animais no domicílio, acesso à via pública e higiene do ambiente no risco da infecção por este parasito. Entre as duas populações estudadas foram analisadas 454 amostras de fezes. Resultados - A prevalência encontrada foi de 18,50%. Não foi identificada diferença estatística significativa entre os resultados de cães com proprietário, 20% (47/235) e os de rua 16,89% (37/219). Na análise das variáveis foi observada maior prevalência entre os cães com menos de 12 meses: 32,56% (32/98) do que a encontrada em cães com 12 meses ou mais: 14,60% (52/356). Quanto ao gênero, não foi identificada diferença significativa na prevalência entre ambos os sexos. Conclusões - Na avaliação das variáveis ambientais e de manejo, somente a condição de higiene foi identificada como fator de risco para a infecção por este parasito...

To finding out the prevalence of infection by Giardia sp. in the population of dogs with owner in areas of the periphery of the city of Porto Alegre, compared with the prevalence of street dogs, kennel collected. Methods - The analysis was done on samples of feces using the 33% zinc sulfate centrifugal flotation method which is a technique of Faust et al. The prevalence of street dogs was compared with the ones with owner and the relevance of variables such as age, sex, coexistence with other animals at home, access to public roads and the hygiene of the place where the dogs live was assessed regarding the risk of infection by this parasite. Four hundred fifty four samples of feces were examined. Results - The prevalence found was of 18.50%. No significant statistical difference between the results of dogs with owner 20% (47/235) and street dogs 16.89% (37/219) was identified. In the analysis of the variables it was observed greater prevalence among dogs with less than 12 months old (32.56% - 32/98) than the one found in dogs with 12 months old or more (14.60% - 52/356). Regarding sex, it was not identified significant difference in prevalence. Conclusions - In the assessment of environmental and handling variables, only the condition of hygiene was identified as a risk factor for infection by the parasite analyzed...

Toxoplasma gondii in small neotropical wild felids / Toxoplasma gondii em pequenos felinos silvestres neotropicais

In the last decade, studies on wildlife worldwide have discovered key epidemiological aspects of the sylvatic cycleof Toxoplasma gondii. However, despite the known role of wild felines as definitive hosts in the transmission andmaintenance of this parasite, few studies have focused on the involvement of these animals. Brazil exhibits the largestnumber of wild felid species in the Americas, all of which have a critical conservation status. However, serologicaldetections, epidemiological studies and some molecular characterizations of T. gondii have primarily used Neotropicalfelid populations that are maintained in captivity, which does not reflect the disease behavior in free-living conditions. Asystematic review of the worldwide scientific literature was conducted focusing on toxoplasmosis in small Neotropicalfelids. This review covered a number of aspects, including the state of scientific research, parasite transmission in thewild, the genetic characteristics of isolates, the relationship between these genetic characteristics and the pathogenicityof the parasite, and the risk factors linked to conflicts with humans. The present review shows the relevance of studyingthese felid populations based on their frequent interactions with humans in peri-urban areas and the need for furthercomprehensive studies to establish the real significance of T. gondii in public and animal health in tropical and temperateregions

Na ultima década, pesquisas em animais silvestres no mundo todo, tem demonstrado aspectos importantes na epidemiologia do ciclo silvestre de Toxoplasma gondii. No entanto, apesar do papel conhecido dos felinos silvestres como hospedeiros definitivos na transmissão e manutenção desse parasita, há poucos estudos sobre o envolvimento desses animais. O Brasil possui a maior quantidade de espécies de felinos silvestres do continente americano, todas em estado crítico de conservação. Porém, a detecção sorológica, pesquisas epidemiológicas e algumas caracterizações moleculares do T. gondii nestas espécies, utilizaram principalmente populações de felinos neotropicais mantidos em cativeiro, o que não reflete o comportamento da doença em condições de vida livre.Uma revisão sistemática da literatura cientifica mundial foi realizada focando a toxoplasmose em pequenos felinos neotropicais, abrangendo aspectos como o estado da pesquisa cientifica, transmissão do parasita na vida silvestre, características genéticas dos isolados e sua relação com a patogenicidade, além dos fatores de risco ligados aos conflitos com o homem. Esta revisão mostra a importância do estudo dessas populações de felinos, em função das frequentes interações com o homem em áreas peri-urbanas e a necessidade de estudos mais abrangentes, que estabeleçam a real importância do T. gondii no tangente á saúde pública e saúde animal nas regiões tropicais e temperadas.

Biomphalaria species distribution and its effect on human Schistosoma mansoni infection in an irrigated area used for rice cultivation in northeast Brazil.

The role of irrigated areas for the spread of schistosomiasis is of worldwide concern. The aim of the present study was to investigate the spatial distribution of the intermediate snail host Biomphalaria in an area highly endemic for schistosomiasis due to Schistosoma mansoni, evaluating the relationship between irrigation and types of natural water sources on one hand, and the influence of place and time of water exposure on the intensity of human infection on the other. A geographical information system (GIS) was used to map the distribution of the intermediate snail hosts in Ilha das Flores, Sergipe, Brazil, combined with a clinical/epidemiological survey. We observed a direct correlation between the intensity of human infection with S. mansoni and irrigation projects. Malacological studies to identify snail species and infection rates showed that B. glabrata is the main species responsible for human schistosomiasis in the municipality, but that B. straminea also plays a role. Our results provide evidence for a competitive selection between the two snail species in rice fields with a predominance of B. glabrata in irrigation systems and B. straminea in natural water sources.

Neurological disability in leprosy: incidence and gender association in Sergipe, Brazil.

The environmental impact assessment process is over 40 years old and has dramatically expanded. Topics, such as social, health and human rights impact are now included. The main body of an impact analysis is generally hundreds of pages long and supported by countless technical appendices. For large, oil/gas, mining and water resources projects both the volume and technical sophistication of the reports has far exceeded the processing ability of host communities. Instead of informing and empowering, the reports are abstruse and overwhelming. Reinvention is required. The development of a visual integrated impact assessment strategy that utilizes remote sensing and spatial analyses is described.

Soroepidemiologia de Neospora caninum em cães de área urbana no município de Porto Alegre-RS

Neospora caninum é um protozoário do filo Apicomplexa que causa infecções associadas com aborto, mortalidade neonatal e alterações neurológicas em várias espécies animais. Este estudo, conduzido na área urbana do município de Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, teve como objetivos: verificar a prevalência de anticorpos classe IgG para N. caninum em cães através da técnica de imunofluorescência indireta (RIFI) e avaliar os fatores de risco relacionados com o manejo e características individuais dos animais, através de questionário epidemiológico. Foram constituídos três grupos de cães: domiciliados (n= 145); errantes (n= 70) e de criatórios comerciais (n=45). A frequência de anticorpos total foi 13,84% (36/260) e entre os grupos foi de 15,8% para domiciliados, 17,1% para errantes e 2,2% para cães de criatório comerciais. Os títulos sorológicos observados variaram de 50 (44%) a 3200 (3%). Observou-se associação entre a soropositividade e os fatores alimentação (p

[Epidemiological characteristics and geographical distribution of schistosomiasis and geohelminths, in the State of Sergipe, according to data from the Schistosomiasis Control Program in Sergipe]. / Aspectos epidemiológicos e distribuição geográfica da esquistossomose e geo-helmintos, no Estado de Sergipe, de acordo com os dados do Programa de Controle da Esquistossomose.

INTRODUCTION: Schistosomiasis is endemic in Brazil, with high prevalence in the State of Sergipe, despite the existence of the Schistosomiasis Control Program (PCE). METHODS: The data from Sergipe's PCE between 2005 and 2008 were surveyed. From the raw information, a database was created on a spreadsheet using the Access software. The frequency and geographic distribution of infections due to Schistosoma mansoni and other intestinal parasites were analyzed. These data were exported to the Spring 5.0.5 software for georeferencing and preparation of thematic maps of the spatial and temporal distribution according to year of evaluation. RESULTS: In 2005, 13.6% (14,471/106,287) of the tests were positive for S. mansoni, 11.2% (16,196/145,069) in 2006, 11.8% (10,220/86,824) in 2007 and 10.6% (8,329/78,859) in 2008. Analysis on the maps showed that there was high prevalence of the disease in Sergipe, and particularly in the municipalities of Ilha das Flores, Santa Rosa de Lima, Santa Luzia do Itanhi and São Cristóvão. Furthermore, we evaluated the association between the frequencies of these parasitic diseases and social and developmental indicators in the different municipalities, according to data from the Brazilian Institute for Geography and Statistics (IBGE) and the Department of Water Resources (SRH). We found that municipalities with schistosomiasis prevalence higher than 15% had lower coverage of sewage systems (hygiene index) (p = 0.05). Additionally, municipalities with hookworm prevalence higher than 10% had lower educational HDI (p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: The importance of greater control over environmental risk and educational factors needs to be emphasized in attempts to reduce the prevalence of these parasitic diseases.

Aspectos epidemiológicos e distribuição geográfica da esquistossomose e geo-helmintos, no Estado de Sergipe, de acordo com os dados do Programa de Controle da Esquistossomose / Epidemiological characteristics and geographical distribution of schistosomiasis and geohelminths, in the State of Sergipe, according to data from the Schistosomiasis Control Program in Sergipe

INTRODUÇÃO: A esquistossomose é endêmica no Brasil, com elevada prevalência no Estado de Sergipe, apesar da existência do Programa de Controle da Esquistossomose (PCE). MÉTODOS: Foi realizado levantamento de dados do PCE-Sergipe de 2005 a 2008. A partir da matriz bruta formulou-se planilha de dados no software Access e analisou-se frequência e distribuição geográfica das infecções por Schistosoma mansoni e outros enteroparasitos. Estes dados foram exportados para o software Spring 5.0.5 para georreferenciamento e confecção de mapas temáticos de distribuição espacial e temporal por ano de avaliação. RESULTADOS: Foram positivos para S. mansoni 13,6 por cento (14471/106287) de exames nos anos de 2005, 11,2 por cento (16196/145069) em 2006, 11,8 por cento (10220/86824) em 2007 e 10,6 por cento (8329/78859) em 2008. A análise de mapas mostrou elevada prevalência da doença em Sergipe, em particular nos municípios Ilha das Flores, Santa Rosa de Lima, Santa Luzia do Itanhi e São Cristóvão. Além disso, avaliamos a associação entre as frequências dessas doenças parasitárias com indicadores sociais e de desenvolvimento dos diferentes municípios, de acordo com os dados do Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) e da Superintendência de Recursos Hídricos (SRH). Observamos que os municípios com prevalência da esquistossomose maior do que 15 por cento têm menor concentração de rede de esgotos (índice de higiene); p = 0,05. Adicionalmente, os municípios com prevalência de infecção por ancilostomídeos maior do que 10 por cento apresentam um menor IDH educacional; p = 0,04. CONCLUSÕES: Ressalta-se a importância de maior controle dos fatores de risco ambientais e educacionais, na tentativa de reduzir prevalências dessas doenças parasitárias.

INTRODUCTION: Schistosomiasis is endemic in Brazil, with high prevalence in the State of Sergipe, despite the existence of the Schistosomiasis Control Program (PCE). METHODS: The data from Sergipe's PCE between 2005 and 2008 were surveyed. From the raw information, a database was created on a spreadsheet using the Access software. The frequency and geographic distribution of infections due to Schistosoma mansoni and other intestinal parasites were analyzed. These data were exported to the Spring 5.0.5 software for georeferencing and preparation of thematic maps of the spatial and temporal distribution according to year of evaluation. RESULTS: In 2005, 13.6 percent (14,471/106,287) of the tests were positive for S. mansoni, 11.2 percent (16,196/145,069) in 2006, 11.8 percent (10,220/86,824) in 2007 and 10.6 percent (8,329/78,859) in 2008. Analysis on the maps showed that there was high prevalence of the disease in Sergipe, and particularly in the municipalities of Ilha das Flores, Santa Rosa de Lima, Santa Luzia do Itanhi and São Cristóvão. Furthermore, we evaluated the association between the frequencies of these parasitic diseases and social and developmental indicators in the different municipalities, according to data from the Brazilian Institute for Geography and Statistics (IBGE) and the Department of Water Resources (SRH). We found that municipalities with schistosomiasis prevalence higher than 15 percent had lower coverage of sewage systems (hygiene index) (p = 0.05). Additionally, municipalities with hookworm prevalence higher than 10 percent had lower educational HDI (p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: The importance of greater control over environmental risk and educational factors needs to be emphasized in attempts to reduce the prevalence of these parasitic diseases.

Soroepidemiologia de Toxoplasma gondii em gatos domiciliados atendidos em clínicas particulares de Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil / Seroepidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii in domestic cats treated in private clinics of Porto Alegre, Brazil

Com o objetivo de contribuir com dados sobre freqüência de anticorpos para Toxoplasma em felinos domiciliados da cidade de Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, soros de 245 animais foram testados pelas técnicas sorológicas de Hemaglutinação Indireta (HAI) e Imunofluorescência Indireta (IFI). Informações sobre o animal, tais como raça, sexo, idade, acesso ou não à rua e tipo de alimentação, foram avaliadas por meio de questionário epidemiológico e análise estatística para correlacionar com os resultados obtidos na sorologia. Os resultados dos testes mostraram que os valores encontrados foram de 26,9 por cento (HAI) e 37,9 por cento (IFI), inferindo que esses gatos em algum momento de sua vida foram fonte de contaminação ambiental, sendo eliminadores potenciais de oocistos, principalmente aqueles que tiveram livre acesso à rua.

The sera of 245 cats from Porto Alegre, southern Brazil, were tested by indirect hemagglutination (IHA) and indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) in order to determine the frequency of Toxoplasma antibodies. Information such as breed, sex, age and access or not to the street and dietary habits were assessed using an epidemiological questionnaire and also statistical analysis for correlation with the serological results obtained. The test results showed rates of 26,9 and 37,9 percent for IHA and IIF, respectively, suggesting that these cats have acted as a source of environmental contamination at some time during the course of their lifetime, possibly shedding oocysts, especially those with free access to the street.

Drugs of abuse and sexual functioning.

The use of mind-altering substances can be found in very different cultures and traced back thousands of years; the same is true for the searching of drugs that could increase sexual functioning. In this text, we explore the relation between drugs of abuse and sexuality in three domains: drugs and sexual dysfunctions, drugs and risky sexual behavior and drugs used as sexual aids. Although some drugs can increase sexual response in the early stages of the addiction career, particularly in those with a previous sexual dysfunction, the chronic use of substances tends to deteriorate all stages of sexual response in both male and female abusers. There is sufficient evidence for considering that drug use before or during sexual intercourse can, in certain circumstances, elevate the risk of unwanted pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases. Specific prevention strategies should be addressed to this population. Some psychotropic drugs are sometimes used as sexual aids. This can have some risks and should alert the therapist to a possible underlying and undiagnosed sexual problem.

Mapping of quantitative trait loci using the skew-normal distribution / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

In standard interval mapping (IM) of quantitative trait loci (QTL), the QTL effect is described by a normal mixture model. When this assumption of normality is violated, the most commonly adopted strategy is to use the previous model after data transformation. However, an appropriate transformation may not exist or may be difficult to find. Also this approach can raise interpretation issues. An interesting alternative is to consider a skew-normal mixture model in standard IM, and the resulting method is here denoted as skew-normal IM. This flexible model that includes the usual symmetric normal distribution as a special case is important, allowing continuous variation from normality to non-normality. In this paper we briefly introduce the main peculiarities of the skew-normal distribution. The maximum likelihood estimates of parameters of the skew-normal distribution are obtained by the expectation-maximization (EM) algorithm. The proposed model is illustrated with real data from an intercross experiment that shows a significant departure from the normality assumption. The performance of the skew-normal IM is assessed via stochastic simulation. The results indicate that the skew-normal IM has higher power for QTL detection and better precision of QTL location as compared to standard IM and nonparametric IM.

Avaliação sorológica de anticorpos para Leishmania spp. na população canina em região de foco de leishmaniose tegumentar americana na Lomba do Pinheiro, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande Do Sul, Brasil / Serological evaluation for antibodies against Leishmania SPP. in a canine population from a tegumentary Leishmaniosis focus in Lomba do Pinheiro, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil

Através da realização do estudo podemos concluir que 3,5 por cento dos cães estudados apresentaram positividade na IFI; a soro-positividade baixa associada ao fato de os animais positivos terem sido assintomáticos, não descartam o seu papel como fonte de infecção e potencial risco à saúde pública. Assim sendo, os resultados encontrados evidenciam a possibilidade da existência do protozoário na população canina da região, tornando necessárias novas pesquisas, utilizando técnicas diagnósticas mais sensíveis, para comprovação dos resultados obtidos.