Clinical characteristics of patients with mpox infection in the United Arab Emirates: a prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: The study aims to explore the risk factors, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of mpox infection in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE). METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted at two communicable disease centers in Abu Dhabi, UAE and patients admitted with confirmed mpox infections between May 01, 2022 and December 31, 2022 were included in our study. RESULTS: A total of 176 mpox patients were admitted, of which 93% (n = 164) were men and mean age was 30.4 ± 7 years. Individuals presented with mucocutaneous lesions, most commonly on the genital and anal regions (n = 157; 89%). Only 70 (39.8%) gave a history of sexual exposure. The most common systemic symptoms reported were fever (n = 91; 52%), exanthema (n = 92; 52%), and inguinal lymphadenopathy (n = 60; 34%). Median timeframe from systemic symptoms to appearance of lesions was 4 days (interquartile range 4-6 days). Complications were observed in seven (4%) participants; two (1.1%) individuals developed conjunctivitis, four (2.3%) patients developed penile edema, and one (0.6%) case of myocarditis was reported. In 60% (n = 106) of patients, a potential source of sexual exposure was not identified. CONCLUSION: The clinical characteristics of mpox cases in the UAE are similar to those in other countries. However, cultural and religious factors likely prevent patient disclosure of sexual exposure and symptoms, contributing to the limited information about the disease in the Middle East.

Diversidade funcional: a diferença e o histórico modelo de homem-padrão / Differently abled: difference and the historical model of the standard man

Analisa criticamente as formas como a diferença notada nas pessoas com deficiência foi percebida e tratada, desde a Antiguidade, nos âmbitos social, educacional político e terapêutico, até alcançar as mudanças observadas no país em décadas recentes. Para designar as pessoas com deficiência, independentemente do tipo ou grau da deficiência, utilizam-se os termos 'diversidade funcional' e 'diferença funcional', que não enfatizam os aspectos negativos, comum na terminologia vigente. Com base em levantamento historiográfico, apresenta a influência do pensamento religioso e das práticas nele fundamentadas, bem como a do desenvolvimento da medicina e da noção de normalidade, sobre a imagem social das pessoas cujos corpos apresentam alguma diferença funcional.

The article offers a critical analysis of how the differences displayed by people with disabilities have been perceived and dealt with in the social, educational, political, and therapeutic realms from ancient times until recent decades, when changes have been observed in Brazil. Whatever the type or degree of disability, we now use the terms 'differently abled' and 'different abilities', reflecting a current trend in terminology that avoids placing emphasis on negative aspects. Based on a historiographic survey, the article indicates how religious thought and practices and the development of medicine and of the notion of normalcy have influenced the social image of people whose bodies are differently abled.

[Differently abled: difference and the historical model of the standard man]. / Diversidade funcional: a diferença e o histórico modelo de homem-padrão.

The article offers a critical analysis of how the differences displayed by people with disabilities have been perceived and dealt with in the social, educational, political, and therapeutic realms from ancient times until recent decades, when changes have been observed in Brazil. Whatever the type or degree of disability, we now use the terms 'differently abled' and 'different abilities; reflecting a current trend in terminology that avoids placing emphasis on negative aspects. Based on a historiographic survey, the article indicates how religious thought and practices and the development of medicine and of the notion of normalcy have influenced the social image of people whose bodies are differently abled.

[Human handicap and self-determination: compassion and insensibility in the Vincent Humbert case]. / Deficiência e autodeterminação humana: compaixão e insensibilidade no caso Vincent Humbert.

This work has the objective of discussing human self-determination among handicapped people with unaffected cognitive functions. The background for the article is the history of 22 year-old Vincent Humbert, who became tetraplegic, blind and speech-impaired after a car accident. The young man intense suffering lasted for several months and resulted in an insistent request for euthanasia to his mother. Humbert's death, after his mother's unsuccessful effort to conduct the euthanasia, restates the polemics concerning euthanasia and assisted suicide. In this context, the article presents historical aspects of human handicap and critically analyzes Humbert's autonomy and euthanasia.

Deficiência e autodeterminação humana: compaixão e insensibilidade no caso Vincent Humbert / Human handicap and self-determination: compassion and insensibility in the Vincent Humbert case

Discute a questão da autodeterminação de pessoas com deficiência, sem comprometimento das funções cognitivas. Traz como pano de fundo a história de Vincent Humbert, francês de 22 anos que ficou tetraplégico, cego e mudo após um acidente automobilístico. O sofrimento intenso do rapaz durou vários meses, resultando em insistente pedido de eutanásia aos médicos e à sua mãe. A morte de Humbert, após uma tentativa frustrada de eutanásia praticada pela mãe, reabre a polêmica em torno da eutanásia e do suicídio assistido. Partindo desse contexto, apresenta aspectos históricos da deficiência e analisa criticamente a autonomia e a eutanásia de Humbert.

This work has the objective of discussing human self-determination among handicapped people with unaffected cognitive functions. The background for the article is the history of 22 year-old Vincent Humbert, who became tetraplegic, blind and speech-impaired after a car accident. The young man intense suffering lasted for several months and resulted in an insistent request for euthanasia to his mother. Humbert's death, after his mother's unsuccessful effort to conduct the euthanasia, restates the polemics concerning euthanasia and assisted suicide. In this context, the article presents historical aspects of human handicap and critically analyzes Humbert's autonomy and euthanasia.

Pulsações Contemporâneas do Desejo: Paixão e Libido nas Salas de Bate-Papo Virtual / Contemporanian Pulsations of the Desire: Passion and Sexuality in the Chat-Rooms

Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo analisar as relações afetivo-sexuais mediadas pelo computador nas salas de bate-papo virtual (chats). Utiliza, como referencial teórico, autores que analisam a contemporaneidade. Investiga o pressuposto de que os internautas podem considerar os chats como um prolongamento da vida “real”, da identidade de um sujeito unificado ou múltiplo, ou como uma configuração interativa distinta da “real”. Hipotetiza que os internautas desejarão com maior freqüência levar seus relacionamentos do “virtual” para o “real”, quando considerarem essas configurações interativas equivalentes. Foram analisados 140 questionários respondidos por freqüentadores de chats. A análise dos dados corroborou tanto o pressuposto inicial quanto a hipótese levantada. Conclui-se que a ambigüidade existente entre os usuários sobre a percepção das características interacionais do chat vem causando problemas de relacionamento, sobretudo por ocasião de sua passagem do ambiente ‘virtual’ para o ‘real’(AU)