Yellow Fever Virus Maintained by Sabethes Mosquitoes during the Dry Season in Cerrado, a Semiarid Region of Brazil, in 2021.

In recent decades, waves of yellow fever virus (YFV) from the Amazon Rainforest have spread and caused outbreaks in other regions of Brazil, including the Cerrado, a savannah-like biome through which YFV usually moves before arriving at the Atlantic Forest. To identify the vectors involved in the maintenance of the virus in semiarid environments, an entomological survey was conducted after confirmation of yellow fever (YF) epizootics at the peak of the dry season in the Cerrado areas of the state of Minas Gerais. In total, 917 mosquitoes from 13 taxa were collected and tested for the presence of YFV. Interestingly, mosquitoes of the Sabethes genus represented 95% of the diurnal captured specimens, displaying a peak of biting activity never previously recorded, between 4:30 and 5:30 p.m. Molecular analysis identified three YFV-positive pools, two from Sabethes chloropterus-from which near-complete genomes were generated-and one from Sa. albiprivus, whose low viral load prevented sequencing. Sa. chloropterus was considered the primary vector due to the high number of copies of YFV RNA and the high relative abundance detected. Its bionomic characteristics allow its survival in dry places and dry time periods. For the first time in Brazil, Sa. albiprivus was found to be naturally infected with YFV and may have played a role as a secondary vector. Despite its high relative abundance, fewer copies of viral RNA were found, as well as a lower Minimum Infection Rate (MIR). Genomic and phylogeographic analysis showed that the virus clustered in the sub-lineage YFVPA-MG, which circulated in Pará in 2017 and then spread into other regions of the country. The results reported here contribute to the understanding of the epidemiology and mechanisms of YFV dispersion and maintenance, especially in adverse weather conditions. The intense viral circulation, even outside the seasonal period, increases the importance of surveillance and YFV vaccination to protect human populations in affected areas.

Local tissue electrical parameters predict oral mucositis in HNSCC patients: A diagnostic accuracy double-blind, randomized controlled trial.

Oral Mucositis (OM) is a common adverse effect of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) treatment. The purpose of this study was to investigate the significance of early changes in tissue electrical parameters (TEPs) in predicting the development of OM in HNSCC patients receiving radiation therapy (RT). The current study combined two study designs. The first was a case-control study. The control group comprised of RT patients who did not receive head and neck RT, and patients with HNSCC who received RT comprised the case group. In the second part of the study, the case group was included in a parallel cohort. A total of 320 patients were assessed for eligibility, and 135 patients were enrolled. Double blinding was performed, and neither the patients nor the care providers knew the measured parameters. The primary outcome was the detection of between-group changes in local TEPs over the follow-up period. The secondary outcome was the appearance of OM grades II, III, or IV and the predictive value of local TEPs in determining the incidence of OM after RT. The variables, impedance module, resistance, reactance, phase angle, and capacitance, were analyzed by the receiver operator curves (ROC). The case and control groups did not differ in demographic and clinical characteristics. Radiation therapy increased the local impedance module, resistance, reactance, and phase angle and reduced the local tissue capacitance in both groups. Evaluation of TEPs in the first week of RT correlated with the development of OM lesions during cancer therapy. ROC analysis showed that local impedance module and resistance presented higher specificity than did other parameters in predicting OM. In conclusion, local tissue electrical parameters measured at the first RT week can be useful tools to predict oral mucositis.

Microcefalia relacionada ao vírus Zika e dinâmica familiar: perspectiva da mãe / Microcephaly related to Zika virus and family dynamics: perspective of the mother

Resumo Objetivo: Compreender como os familiares de crianças diagnosticadas com microcefalia pelo vírus Zika (ziKv) reagiram emocionalmente ao diagnóstico e o impacto desse evento na dinâmica familiar. Metodologia: Estudo descritivo-ex-ploratório de cunho qualitativo realizado em um município de médio porte de Minas Gerais (Brasil). Para a coleta de dados foi utilizada a entrevista semies-truturada gravada e transcrita. O corpus foi submetido à análise de conteúdo conforme o preconizado por Bardin. Resultados: Verificou-se que as mães demonstraram preocupação diante da hipossuficiência de informações sobre a condição dos filhos. O diagnóstico trouxe uma sensação de desconstrução do filho idealizado e desencadeou reações de estresse emocional. As mães demonstraram possuir grandes incertezas em relação ao futuro dos filhos. Foi relatado que os pais participam ativamente no cuidado. Conclusão: Evidencia-se, nas narrativas das mães, a necessidade de maior eficiência dos serviços públicos de assistência, especialmente os de saúde, quanto ao acompanhamento das crianças e orientação das famílias.

Resumen Objetivo: Comprender cómo los familiares de niños diagnosticados con microcefalia por el virus Zika (ziKv) reaccionaron emocionalmente al diagnóstico y el impacto de ese evento en la dinámica familiar. Metodología: Estudio descripti-vo-exploratorio de cuño cualitativo, realizado en un municipio de tamaño mediano de Minas Gerais (Brasil). Para la recolección de datos se utilizó la entrevista semiestructurada grabada y transcrita. El corpus se sometió al análisis de contenido según lo preconizado por Bardin. Resultados: Se verificó que las madres mostraron preocupación ante la insuficiencia de información sobre la condición de sus hijos. El diagnóstico trajo una sensación de deconstrucción del hijo idealizado y desencadenó reacciones de estrés emocional. Las madres han demostrado tener grandes incertidumbres en relación con el futuro de sus hijos. Se ha divulgado que los padres participan activamente en el cuidado. Conclusión: Se evidencia, en las narrativas de las madres, la necesidad de mayor eficiencia de los servicios públicos de asistencia, especialmente los de salud, en el acompañamiento de los niños y orientación de las familias.

Abstract Objective: To understand how families of children diagnosed with microcephaly by Zika virus (ziKv) reacted emotionally to the diagnosis and the impact of that event in family dynamics. Methodology: Descriptive and exploratory study of qualitative stamp, made in a town of medium size from Minas Gerais (Brazil). For the collection of data it was used the semi-structured interview recorded and transcribed. The corpus was subjected to the analysis of content according to that endorsed by Bardin. Results: It was verified that the mothers showed concern at the inadequacy of information about the status of their children. The diagnosis brought a sense of deconstruction of the idealized son and triggered emotional stress reactions. Mothers have demonstrated great uncertainties regarding the future of their children. It has been reported that parents are actively involved in care. Conclusion: It is evident, in narratives of the mothers, the need for greater efficiency of attendance public services, especially those of health, in the accompaniment of children and families orientation.

Treatment of mucositis with combined 660- and 808-nm-wavelength low-level laser therapy reduced mucositis grade, pain, and use of analgesics: a parallel, single-blind, two-arm controlled study.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most frequent oral malignant neoplasia. As consequence of OSCC treatment, oral mucositis (OM) is one of the most common adverse effects of OSCC treatment. Currently, there is no consensus for OM treatment. The purpose of the current study was to test the combination of red and infrared low-level laser therapy (LLLT) for OM treatment. Primary culture of human fibroblast was performed to identify LLLT dose. After laboratory tests, a two-arm parallel, single-blind, controlled study was conducted. The two arms were group 1, both 660- and 808-nm wavelengths (300 J/cm2, 9 J of total energy, 100 mW, spot size 3 mm2), and group 2, only 660-nm wavelength (300 J/cm2, 9 J of total energy, 100 mW, spot size 3 mm2). Both treatments were performed twice a week. Group 1 presented a reduction of mucositis grade in comparison to group 2. Group 1 also presented reduction of analgesics prescription. But no significant differences between groups 1 and 2 were observed according to the pain scale. In conclusion, the current study demonstrated that a combination of red and infrared at a higher dose (300 J/cm2) reduced both oral mucositis grade and analgesics prescription. The effects of the combination of RT and LLLT are unclear and need more studies.