Polymeric Delivery Systems as a Potential Vaccine against Visceral Leishmaniasis: Formulation Development and Immunogenicity.

Recent studies suggest that the association of antigens in microparticles increases the anti-Leishmania vaccine immunogenicity. This study aims to investigate the in situ effect of the adjuvant performance consisting of chitosan-coated poly(D,L-lactic) acid submicrometric particles (SMP) and analyze the inflammatory profile and toxicity. Two formulations were selected, SMP1, containing poly(D,L-lactide) (PLA) 1% wt/v and chitosan 1% wt/v; and SMP2, containing PLA 5% wt/v and chitosan 5% wt/v. After a single dose of the unloaded SMP1 or SMP2 in mice, the SMPs promoted cell recruitment without tissue damage. In addition, besides the myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity having demonstrated similar results among the analyzed groups, a progressive reduction in the levels of N-acetyl-ß-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) until 72 h was observed for SMPs. While IL-6 levels were similar among all the analyzed groups along the kinetics, only the SMPs groups had detectable levels of TNF-α. Additionally, the Leishmania braziliensis antigen was encapsulated in SMPs (SMP1Ag and SMP2Ag), and mice were vaccinated with three doses. The immunogenicity analysis by flow cytometry demonstrated a reduction in NK (CD3-CD49+) cells in all the SMPs groups, in addition to impairment in the T cells subsets (CD3+CD4+) and CD3+CD8+) and B cells (CD19+) of the SMP2 group. The resulting data demonstrate that the chitosan-coated SMP formulations stimulate the early events of an innate immune response, suggesting their ability to increase the immunogenicity of co-administered Leishmania antigens.

Prevalence of Child Sexual Violence in Brazil in the Period 2010-2018: an Ecological Study / Prevalência de Violência Sexual Infantil no Brasil no Período de 2010-2018: um Estudo Ecológico

Abstract Violence is characterized as a sociocultural phenomenon that can affect the individual physically, psychosocially and cognitively. Child sexual abuse is one of the biggest public health problems, however, its prevalence is still undefined. It is also the cause of several psychopathological disorders and future difficulties in the context of the victim's interpersonal and sexual relationships. To describe the prevalence of child sexual abuse in Brazil in the of period 2010 ­ 2018. Descriptive ecological study, whose data were obtained by consulting the SINAN database, made available by DATASUS. Where cases of child sexual violence between 0 and 14 years old were selected from 2010 to 2018. A steady progression was evidenced in all regions and in almost every year, in cases of sexual violence. The North and South regions have the highest prevalence. Cases were more frequent in females (82.7%), between 10 and 14 years old (49%), with the main aggressors being parents (13.8%) and stepfathers (12.9%). The prevalence of child sexual violence is higher among children aged 10 to 14 years, female and the cases are more concentrated in the north region. (AU)

Resumo A violência é caracterizada como um fenômeno sociocultural que pode afetar o indivíduo em âmbito físico, psicossocial e cognitivo. O abuso sexual infantil é um dos maiores problemas de saúde pública, porém, sua prevalência ainda é indefinida. Sendo também causador de diversos transtornos psicopatológicos e dificuldades futuras em âmbito de relações interpessoais e sexuais da vítima. Portanto o objetivo do presente estudo é descrever a prevalência do abuso sexual infantil no Brasil no período de 2010 - 2018. Trata-se de um estudo ecológico descritivo, cujos dados foram obtidos por meio de consulta à base de dados SINAN, disponibilizados pelo DATASUS. Onde foram selecionados os casos de violência sexual infantil, de 0 a 14 anos registrada no período de 2010 a 2018. Foi evidenciado uma progressão contínua em todas as regiões e em quase todos os anos, nos casos de violência sexual. As Regiões Norte e Sul apresentam maior prevalência. Os casos eram mais frequentes no sexo feminino (82,7%), entre 10 e 14 anos (49%), sendo os principais agressores pais (13,8%) e padrastos (12,9%). Pode-se concluir que a prevalência de violência sexual infantil é maior entre crianças de 10 a 14 anos, do sexo feminino e os casos estão mais concentrados na região Norte. (AU)

Effects of Cardiovascular Interval Training in Healthy Elderly Subjects: A Systematic Review.

The aim of this review is to demonstrate the effects of cardiovascular interval training (IT) on healthy elderly subjects. We used the recommendations of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The following variables were observed: resting heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MBP), heart rate variability (HRV), baroreflex activity (BA), and maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max). Studies were searched for in the MedLine, PubMed, and Sport Discus databases considering publications between 1990 and 2019. To find the studies, the keywords used were "Interval and Elderly Training" or "Interval Training and Baroreflex Sensing" or "Interval Training and Aging and Pressure Arterial and Blood Pressure Training" or "Interval Training and Variation in Aging and Heart Rate" or "Interval Training and Sensitivity to the Elderly and Baroreflex" or "Interval Training and Variability in the Elderly and Heart Rate." The systematic search identified 1,140 hits. The analysis of the study was performed through a critical review of the content. One thousand one hundred forty articles were identified. Of these, 1,108 articles were excluded by checking the articles and abstracts. Finally, 32 studies were selected for full reading while 26 studies were eliminated because they did not contain a methodology according to the purpose of this review. Thus, six studies were included for the final analysis. The PEDro score was used for analyzing the study quality and found 4,8 ± 1,3 points (range: 3-6). Positive results were found with the different IT protocols in the observed variables. Results show that IT protocols can be an efficient method for functional improvement of cardiovascular and cardiorespiratory variables in the healthy elderly, especially HR, SBP, DBP, MAP, HRV, BA, and VO2max. However, this method can be included in the prescription of aerobic training for the elderly to obtain conditional improvements in the cardiovascular system, thus being an important clinical intervention for the public.

Five really easy steps to build a homemade low-cost simulator.

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate how simple it is to build a homemade low-cost simulator using a simple 5-step scheme. METHODS: A scheme explaining how to build an endoscopic surgery simulator in 5 easy steps was presented to 26 surgeons. The simulator required a pair of scissors and easy-to-find materials. Its total cost was less than €35. The participants assessed the simulator using common endoscopic training toys or ex vivo tissue and completed an anonymous query comparing it with other commercial simulators that they had experienced before. RESULTS: In all, 84.6% found the simulator really easy to build. Every participant felt that he or she could do the same simulator themselves. Comparing with other commercial available box simulators, the majority of participants found the homemade simulator easier to (a) mount and dismount, (b) transport, (c) clean, and (d) use when practicing alone. CONCLUSIONS: Anyone can build its own simulator for a small amount of money.

Comparison among three polymerase chain reaction assays on detection of DNA from Leishmania in biological samples from patients with American cutaneous leishmaniasis.

INTRODUCTION: The study analyzed positivity of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on detection of DNA from Leishmania in patients' samples. METHODS: Extracted DNA was submitted to L150/L152, 13Y/13Z, and seminested PCR (snPCR). RESULTS: Results were evidenced by bands of approximately 120, 720, and 670 bp for L150/L152, 13Y/13Z, and snPCR, respectively. L150/L152, 13Y/13Z, and snPCR positivity indexes were 76.9, 56.4, and 9.2 (p>0.05), respectively, for suspected and 93.7, 68.7, and 84.4 (p<0.05), respectively, for confirmed. CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary results showed that these assays, mainly L150/L152 and snPCR, can detect Leishmania DNA and carry potential on laboratory diagnosis of leishmaniasis.