Geographic Regions Of Brazil Research Articles

Anthropology of Food: An Essay on Food Transition and Transformations in Brazil

Context: Food as a natural and ritualistic daily act is showcased in the Brazilian context to illustrate how historical and technological changes have impacted food systems, their transformations and consequences and how such external forces have impacted food consumption and the nutrition transition process in this developing country. Case report: Much research has been done to understand the impact of this phenomenon on urban areas of different Brazilian geographic regions but research has also demonstrated that these transformations are also encroaching on remote rural areas where the urbanization and globalization of feeding patterns are shifting from unprocessed natural food and to a new age of industrialized goods, where the manipulation of food is forgotten and food is turned into a commodity. The effect of this is that their diets have low diversity and rely on low-quality processed food staples at the same time that nutrition and food insecurity is quite high in the region. Conclusion: These transformations end, in turn, modifying a way of life and production, mainly through the rural exodus and the configuration of chaotic urban centers. New expectations arise while food choices must be more in line with the new lifestyle, unfortunately lacking nutritional contributions from the previous dietary pattern. Therefore, it is necessary to know, recognize and understand these changes in order to modify the relationship between individuals and food.

Prevalence of high cholesterol levels suggestive of familial hypercholesterolemia in Brazilian adolescents: Data from the study of cardiovascular risk in adolescents

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder with an estimated worldwide prevalence ranging from 1 in 200 individuals to 1 in 500 individuals in its heterozygous form. Individuals with FH exhibit high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc) levels from birth, which leads to premature cardiovascular events. In Brazil, like in most countries around the world, FH is considered a public health problem but remains underdiagnosed and undertreated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of LDLc or non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDLc) levels suggestive of FH among Brazilian adolescents. The Study of Cardiovascular Risk in Adolescents (ERICA) was a nationwide, school-based, cross-sectional study that assessed the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in approximately 75,000 adolescents between 12 and 17years old. Data were analyzed according to sex, age, type of school (public or private), and geographic regions of Brazil. Adolescents with untreated fasting LDLc levels of 160mg/dL or higher or non-HDLc levels of 190mg/dL or higher were suspected to have FH. We also evaluated the prevalence of LDLc levels of 190mg/dL or higher, which is highly suggestive of a diagnosis of FH in this age group. A total of 38,069 adolescents were evaluated; more than half (59.9%) were female and most (74%) attended public schools. The prevalence of LDLc levels of 160mg/dL or higher or non-HDLc levels of 190mg/dL or higher among the adolescents was 0.49% (95% confidence interval: 0.34-0.71; n=209). Moreover, 0.12% of the adolescents (95% confidence interval: 0.04-0.34; n=44) had LDLc levels of 190mg/dL or higher. We estimate that approximately 100,000 (1 in 200) Brazilian adolescents aged 12 to 17years are suspected to have FH on the basis of LDLc and non-HDLc levels. We identified a significant prevalence of cholesterol levels suggestive of FH among Brazilian adolescents. Further evaluation is needed to confirm the diagnoses among the students. Our results reinforce the importance of universal screening as a critical tool for early diagnosis and treatment of FH.

Management of pharmaceutical services in the Brazilian primary health care.

ABSTRACTOBJECTIVE To identify limiting factors in the management of pharmaceutical services in the primary health care provided by the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS).METHODS This study was based on the data from the Pesquisa Nacional sobre Acesso, Utilização e Promoção do Uso Racional de Medicamentos no Brasil (PNAUM – National Survey on Access, Use and Promotion of Rational Use of Medicines), and it was conducted by interviews with professionals responsible for pharmaceutical services in Brazilian cities, in 2015. To identify the management limiting factors, we considered the organizational, operational, and sustainability indicators of the management. For the analyses, we included the weights and structure of analysis plan for complex samples. The results were expressed by frequencies and measures of central tendency with 95% confidence interval, considering the Brazilian geographic regions.RESULTS We identified the following limiting factors: lack of pharmaceutical services in the Municipal Health Secretariat organization chart (24%) and in the health plan (18%); lack of participation of managers in the Health Board and the absence of reference to this topic in the agenda of meetings (58.4%); lack of financial autonomy (61.5%) and lack of knowledge on the available values (81.7%); lack of adoption of operational procedures (about 50%) for selection, scheduling, and acquisition; and the fact that most professionals evaluate the organization of pharmaceutical services as good and great (58.8%), despite the worrisome indicators.CONCLUSIONS Pharmaceutical services management is currently supported by a legal and political framework that should guide and contribute to improve the pharmaceutical services in the Brazilian Unified Health System primary health care. However, there is a mismatch between the goals established by these guidelines and what is actually happening.

Homicides among women in the different Brazilian regions in the last 35 years: an analysis of age-period-birth cohort effects.

The aim of this study is to estimate the effects of age-period-birth cohort (APC) on female homicides. This is an ecological study which analyzed the violence-related death records of women aged 10 years and older, in the Brazilian geographic regions, between 1980 and 2014. Data on mortality were extracted from the Mortality Information System. The trend analysis was conducted using negative binomial regression and APC effects were analyzed using estimable functions. The average mortality rate for the period was 5.13 deaths per 100,000 women, with the highest rates observed in the Central-West (7.98 deaths), followed by the Southeast (4.78 deaths), North (4.77 deaths), Northeast (4.05 deaths) and South (3.82 deaths) regions. All regions presented a decrease in the risk of death in the period from 2010 to 2014, except for the Northeast region (RR = 1.06, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.10). There was a progressive increase in the homicide risk for women born from 1955 to 1959 in all Brazilian regions. Younger women are at higher risk of dying from homicides in all Brazilian geographic regions. The upward trend of homicide mortality rates according to birth cohort was significant and the highest risk was observed in women born between 2000 and 2004.

A ten years (2007-2016) retrospective serological survey for Seneca Valley virus infection in major pig producing states of Brazil.

Seneca Valley virus (SVV) is the etiological agent of vesicular disease in pigs, clinically indistinguishable of classical viral vesicular infections, including foot-and-mouth disease. The first outbreaks of SVV infection in Brazil were reported in 2014. However, it was not known whether the virus was circulating in Brazilian pig herds before this year. This study is a retrospective serological investigation of porcine health status to SVV in Brazil. Serum samples (n=594) were grouped in before (2007-2013, n=347) and after (2014-2016, n=247) SVV outbreaks in Brazil. Twenty-three pig herds were analyzed, of which 19 and 4 were sampled before and after the beginning of SVV outbreaks, respectively. Two herds sampled after 2014 presented animals with SVV-associated clinical manifestations, while the other two housed asymptomatic pigs. Anti-SVV antibodies were evaluated by virus neutralization test. The results demonstrated that pig herds of different Brazilian geographical regions and distinct pig categories were negative to anti-SVV antibodies in sera obtained before 2014. Antibodies to SVV were detected only in serum samples obtained after 2014, particularly in herds with the presence of pigs with SVV-clinical signs. These results present robust serological evidence that the SVV was not present in the major Brazilian pig producing regions prior to 2014.

Type 1 Diabetes and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: When Should We Be Concerned? A Nationwide Study in Brazil.

Obesity is increasing worldwide, affecting even patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D). A higher prevalence of associated comorbidities is expected, such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This paper reports a cross-sectional multicenter study on a population with T1D (n = 1662), which aimed to evaluate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS), a known risk factor for NAFLD, and to investigate predisposing factors associated with MS, as well as factors associated with elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT), as it correlates to liver fat content. Patients were from 14 public clinics of 10 cities from all geographical regions of Brazil. A high prevalence of MS was found, especially among adults (32.3%), and this was related to age, female gender, acid uric levels, and the presence of acanthosis nigricans. ALT above the normal range was associated with triglyceride levels (especially above 129.5 mg/dL), serum uric acid, age, male gender, HbA1c, and non-Caucasian ethnicity. Patients with T1D, metabolic syndrome, and the aforementioned factors may be at a higher risk of NAFLD and should be referred to ultrasound for NAFLD evaluation. Further studies are necessary to establish the prevalence of NAFLD in individuals with T1D and to determine the disease’s progression in these patients.

Rotavirus genotypes as etiological agents of diarrhoea in general populations of two geographic regions of Brazil.

ABSTRACTRotavirus is the main global cause of severe childhood diarrhoea among children. In 2006, Rotarix® (G1P[8]) was introduced into Brazil’s National Immunization Program. The vaccine coverage rate was 84.4% in 2009. Evidences of increasing G2P[4] after 2006 opened up the discussion about the vaccine effectiveness to non-G1 strains. The aim of this study was to identify the circulating rotavirus genotypes in two Brazilian regions during 2009. A total of 223 positive samples by immunochromatography and latex agglutination assay from the Northeast (Bahia/Pernambuco States) and Southeast (São Paulo/Rio de Janeiro States) regions were included in the study. The samples were submitted to genotyping by nested-PCR according to VP7(G) and VP4(P) and 175 samples (78.5%) were able to be characterized. Considering the characterization of VP7, the G-types detected were G1, G2, and G4 in the Northeast, and G2, G3, G5, and G9 in the Southeast. Considering the characterization of VP4, the P-types detected were P[4], P[8], and P[6]/P[9] in the Northeast and the Southeast. The most frequent mixed types found were G2P[4]/G2P[NT](81.4%), G2P[6](5.2%), G1P[6](5.2%) in the Northeast, and G2P[4]/G2P[NT](78.8%), G2P[6](8.2%), G9P[8](4.7%) in the Southeast. Among immunized individuals whose age ranged from 0-4 years, the G2P[4]/G2P[NT] genotype was identified in 91,0% of cases, and among non-immunized individuals of the same age, the G2P[4]/G2P[NT] genotype was identified in 85.7% of the cases. In accordance with the high level of vaccine coverage, the data suggest that the circulation of G2P[4] in these regions had a considerable increase after the introduction of Rotarix®.

Pneumonia mortality trends in all Brazilian geographical regions between 1996 and 2012.

ABSTRACTObjective:To analyze the temporal trends in pneumonia mortality rates (standardized by age, using the 2010 population of Brazil as the standard) in all Brazilian geographical regions between 1996 and 2012. Methods:This was an ecological time-series study examining secondary data from the Mortality Database maintained by the Information Technology Department of the Brazilian Unified Health Care System. Polynomial and joinpoint regression models, and corresponding 95% CIs, were used for trend analysis. Results:The pneumonia mortality rates in the South, Southeast, and Central-West showed a decreasing behavior until 2000, followed by increases, whereas, in the North and Northeast, they showed increasing trends virtually throughout the period studied. There was variation in annual percent change in pneumonia mortality rates in all regions except the North. The Central-West had the greatest decrease in annual percent change between 1996 and 2000, followed by an increase of the same magnitude until 2005. The 80 years and over age group was the one most influencing the trend behavior of pneumonia mortality rates in all regions. Conclusions:In general, pneumonia mortality trends reversed, with an important increase occurring in the years after 2000.

Evaluation of chemical spraying and environmental management efficacy in areas with minor previous application of integrated control actions for visceral leishmaniasis in Brazil

Leishmaniases are vector-borne diseases that are transmitted to humans through the bite of Leishmania-infected phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera:Psychodidae). The main proved vector of visceral leishmaniais (VL) in the New World – Lutzomyia longipalpis – is well-adapted to urban areas and has extensive distribution within the five geographical regions of Brazil. Integrated public health actions directed for the vector, domestic reservoir and humans for the control of VL are preferentially applied in municipalities with higher epidemiological risk of transmission. In this study, we evaluated the individual impact of two main vector control actions – chemical spraying and environmental management – in two districts with no reported cases of human VL. Although belonging to an endemic municipality for VL in Brazil, the integrated control actions have not been applied in these districts due to the absence of human cases. The number of L. longipalpis captured in a two-year period was used as indicator of the population density of the vector. After chemical spraying a tendency of reduction in L. longipalpis was observed but with no statistical significance compared to the control. Environmental management was effective in that reduction and it may help in the control of VL by reducing the population density of the vector in a preventive and more permanent action, perhaps associated with chemical spraying.

Paracoccidioidomycosis: level of pulmonary sequelae in high resolution computed tomography images from patients of two endemic regions of Brazil.

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate differences in lung damage in patients with paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) in two endemic regions of Brazil (Botucatu, SP, in the southeastern region and Campo Grande, MS, in the west central region). The study sought to objectively quantify fibrosis and emphysema treated patients using high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) that was performed according to an established and validated computational method. The analysis was based on clinical data that were associated with objective quantifications of pulmonary sequelae. We performed a retrospective analysis of HRCT exams from 32 successfully treated patients with the chronic form of PCM. The two groups had similar characteristics with regard to age, symptom duration, smoking history, and titers on a diagnostic serologic test. The statistical analysis revealed more severe cases and a higher percentage of emphysema in the Campo Grande group. The mean percentages of emphysema were 40.2% and 13.6% in the Campo Grande and Botucatu groups, respectively. The percentage of fibrosis was significantly higher in the Botucatu group (11.3%) than in the Campo Grande group (2.3%). The present results may reflect differences in cryptic species of P. brasiliensis in these two geographic regions of Brazil. Further studies should be done to clarify the differences observed herein. Such findings may help unveil differences among cryptic species in terms of the pulmonary consequences that are caused by this disease, which would be highly beneficial to PCM patients.

DESCRIÇÃO DOS SERVIÇOS DE PSICOLOGIA EM DELEGACIAS ESPECIALIZADAS DE ATENDIMENTO ÀS MULHERES NO BRASIL

Este estudio busca caracterizar la actuación de psicó- logos en Comisarías Especializadas para Atender a las Mujeres (ceam), en el Brasil. Tiene como objetivo identificar el perfil profesional, las bases epistemológicas, los modelos teóricos y los instrumentos utilizados día a día, así como los desafíos, dificultades y/o potencialidades vividas por los profesionales en el trabajo, junto a los sujetos en un contexto de violencia. La muestra comprendió de 11 participantes, representantes de las cinco regiones geográficas brasileñas. La recolección de los datos fue por medio de un formulario online, que está disponible vía Google Doc’s y enviado por e-mail. Las informaciones fueron constituidas en categorías para análisis cuantitativo-cualitativo. Se verificó que la práctica profesional es muy diversa, indicando que el papel del psicólogo no se limita solamente al espacio físico de la comisaría, sino que también atraviesa a otras esferas de la sociedad. La práctica psicológica en las comisarías de la mujer reveló un desafío diario y una tarea ardua para los profesionales, exigiendo un vasto conocimiento teórico-técnico y disponibilidad afectiva por tratarse de un tema complejo. La escasez de directrices para la actuación, sumada a la poca formación profesional, contribuye para la existencia de dificultades en el enfrentamiento de la violencia contra la mujer

Anthropometry of Brazilian Air Force pilots

Anthropometric data are essential for the design of military equipment including sizing of aircraft cockpits and personal gear. Currently, there are no anthropometric databases specific to Brazilian military personnel. The aim of this study was to create a Brazilian anthropometric database of Air Force pilots. The methods, protocols, descriptions, definitions, landmarks, tools and measurements procedures followed the instructions outlined in Measurer’s Handbook: US Army and Marine Corps Anthropometric Surveys, 2010–2011 – NATICK/TR-11/017. The participants were measured countrywide, in all five Brazilian Geographical Regions. Thirty-nine anthropometric measurements related to cockpit design were selected. The results of 2133 males and 206 females aged 16–52 years constitute a set of basic data for cockpit design, space arrangement issues and adjustments, protective gear and equipment design, as well as for digital human modelling. Another important implication is that this study can be considered a starting point for reducing gender bias in women’s career as pilots.Practitioner Summary: This paper describes the first large-scale anthropometric survey of the Brazilian Air Force pilots and the development of the related database. This study provides critical data for improving aircraft cockpit design for ergonomics and comprehensive pilot accommodation, protective gear and uniform design, as well as digital human modelling.

Genetic variability of a Brazilian Capsicum frutescens germplasm collection using morphological characteristics and SSR markers.

Characterization studies provide essential information for the conservation and use of germplasm in plant breeding programs. In this study, 103 Capsicum frutescens L. accessions from the Active Germplasm Bank of Embrapa Hortaliças, representative of all five Brazilian geographic regions, were characterized based on morphological characteristics and microsatellite (or simple sequence repeat - SSR) molecular markers. Morphological characterization was carried out using 57 descriptors, and molecular characterization was based on 239 alleles from 24 microsatellite loci. From the estimates of genetic distances among accessions, based on molecular characterization, a cluster analysis was carried out, and a dendrogram was established. Correlations between morphological and molecular variables were also estimated. Twelve morphological descriptors were monomorphic for the set of C. frutescens accessions, and those with the highest degree of polymorphism were stem length (14.0 to 62.0 cm), stem diameter (1.0 to 4.2 cm), days to flowering (90 to 129), days to fruiting (100 to 140), fruit weight (0.1 to 1.4 g), fruit length (0.6 to 4.6 cm), and fruit wall thickness (0.25 to 1.5 mm). The polymorphism information content for the SSR loci varied from 0.36 (EPMS 417) to 0.75 (CA49), with an overall mean of 0.57. The correlation value between morphological and molecular characterization data was 0.6604, which was statistically significant. Fourteen accessions were described as belonging to the morphological type tabasco, 85 were described as malagueta, and four were malaguetinha, a morphological type confirmed in this study. The typical morphological pattern of malagueta was described. Six similarity groups were established for C. frutescens based on the dendrogram and are discussed individually. The genetic variability analyzed in the study highlights the importance of characterizing genetic resources available for the development of new C. frutescens cultivars with the potential for various niche markets.

Geographic variation as a risk factor for digital ulcers in systemic sclerosis patients: a multicentre registry

Objective: To evaluate the influence of geographic variation on the risk of digital ulcer (DU) development in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients.Methods: This cross-sectional, multicentre study evaluated patients with SSc from centres located in different geographic regions of Brazil (subtropical and tropical climate zones). Demographic and clinical data were collected.Results: The study included 141 patients with SSc (26 from the subtropical and 115 from the tropical zone). In total, 43 DUs were observed in 23 (16%) of the patients. By a simple logistic regression model, the presence of DUs was associated with a higher modified Rodnan skin score, previous necrosis or amputation of the extremities, flexion contracture of the fingers, active smoking, higher avascular score on capillaroscopy, higher severity of Raynaud’s phenomenon, a higher Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI) score, a higher visual analogue scale score for Raynaud’s phenomenon and overall disease, and the subtropical climate zone. Using multiple logistic regression, the presence of DUs was significantly associated with patients living in the subtropical climate zone [odds ratio (OR) = 5.4, p = 0.002], necrosis or amputation (OR = 5.2, p = 0.011), and a higher HAQ-DI score (OR = 2.6, p = 0.021).Conclusion: In this multicentre study in a continental country with different climates, patients with SSc living in a subtropical climate region had a 5.4 times higher risk of developing DUs than patients living in a warmer region (tropical climate), suggesting a more severe course of peripheral vasculopathy among patients living in geographic regions with relatively cold weather.

Inequalities in healthy life expectancy by Brazilian geographic regions: findings from the National Health Survey, 2013.

BackgroundThe demographic shift and epidemiologic transition in Brazil have drawn attention to ways of measuring population health that complement studies of mortality. In this paper, we investigate regional differences in healthy life expectancy based on information from the National Health Survey (PNS), 2013.MethodsIn the survey, a three-stage cluster sampling (census tracts, households and individuals) with stratification of the primary sampling units and random selection in all stages was used to select 60,202 Brazilian adults (18 years and over). Healthy life expectancies (HLE) were estimated by Sullivan’s method according to sex, age and geographic region, using poor self-rated health for defining unhealthy status. Logistic regression models were used to investigate socioeconomic and regional inequalities in poor self-rated health, after controlling by sex and age.ResultsWide disparities by geographic region were found with the worst indicators in the North and Northeast regions, whether considering educational attainment, material deprivation, or health care utilization. Life expectancy at birth for women and men living in the richest regions was 5 years longer than for those living in the less wealthy regions. Modeling the variation across regions for poor self-rated health, statistically significant effects (p < 0.001) were found for the North and Northeast when compared to the Southeast, even after controlling for age, sex, diagnosis of at least one non-communicable chronic disease, and schooling or socioeconomic class. Marked regional inequalities in HLE were found, with the loss of healthy life much higher among residents of the poorest regions, especially among the elderly.ConclusionsBy combining data on self-rated health status and mortality in a single indicator, Healthy Life Expectancy, this study demonstrated the excess burden of poor health experienced by populations in the less wealthy regions of Brazil. To mitigate the effects of social exclusion, the development of strategies at the regional level is essential to provide health care to all persons in need, reduce risk exposures, support prevention policies for adoption of healthy behaviors. Such strategies should prioritize population groups that will experience the greatest impact from such interventions.

Situação da violência contra crianças e adolescentes no Brasil

Objetivo: Verificar las ocurrencias de violencia física y psicológica/moral contra niños y adolescentes, en las regiones geográficas de Brasil en el año 2012.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Método: Estudio documental de abordaje cuantitativo y descriptivo. Los datos fueron colectados en el Sistema de Información de Agravios de Notificación en el cual se utilizó la modalidad “violencia física y psico/moral” en intervalos de edad de &amp;lt;1 año a 14 años en las diferentes regiones de Brasil en el 2012. El análisis de los datos se realizó con ayuda de la estadística descriptiva (tablas simples y cruzadas, figuras y tasas), utilizando el Microsoft Office Excel, versión 2007.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Resultados: De las 8397 ocurrencias de violencia psicológica/moral, 62,7% fueron dirigidos a ambulatorios y en 6,3% ocurrió el ingreso hospitalario, siendo la mayor frecuencia en el sexo femenino. En los 14125 casos registrados de violencia física, 54,2% fueron dirigidos a ambulatorios y 13,6% tuvieron ingreso hospitalario, ocurriendo con mayor incidencia también en el sexo femenino. En cerca de 1/3 de los atendidos ocurrió falta de registros.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Conclusión: Existe la necesidad de políticas específicas y soporte profesional que vengan a prevenir, combatir y asistir la violencia contra niños y adolescentes pudiendo reducir el grado de inseguridad, así como el incremento del número de notificaciones. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;

Brazilian infant and preschool children feeding: literature review

ObjectiveTo assess the feeding profile of Brazilian infants and preschool children aged 6 months to 6 years, based on the qualitative and quantitative analysis of food and nutrient intake. Data sourceThis review analyzed studies carried out in Brazil that had food survey data on infants and preschool children. The search was limited to publications from the last 10 years included in the LILACS and MEDLINE electronic databases. Data summaryThe initial search identified 1480 articles, of which 1411 were excluded after the analysis of abstracts, as they were repeated or did not meet the inclusion criteria. Of the 69 articles assessed in full, 31 articles contained data on food survey and were selected. Only three studies concurrently assessed children from different Brazilian geographical regions. Of the assessed articles, eight had qualitative data, with descriptive analysis of food consumption frequency, and 23 had predominantly quantitative data, with information on energy and nutrient consumption. ConclusionsThe articles assessed in this review showed very heterogeneous results, making it difficult to compare findings. Overall, the feeding of infants and preschool children is characterized by low consumption of meat, fruits, and vegetables; high consumption of cow's milk and inadequate preparation of bottles; as well as early and high intake of fried foods, candies/sweets, soft drinks, and salt. These results provide aid for the development of strategies that aim to achieve better quality feeding of Brazilian infants and preschoolers.

Pathological, Immunohistochemical and Molecular Findings Associated with Senecavirus A-Induced Lesions in Neonatal Piglets

This study investigated the cause of the mortality of piglets with cutaneous, enteric and neurological disorders from seven pig farms located in different geographical regions of Brazil. Twelve 1- to 5-day-old piglets were submitted for pathological evaluation. The principal gross findings included faint rib impressions on the pleural surface of the lungs (n=9), diphtheritic glossitis (n=6) and ulcerative lesions at the coronary band (n=5). Histopathology revealed interstitial pneumonia (n=12), myocarditis (n=6), diphtheritic glossitis (n=3), encephalitis (n=3) and atrophy of intestinal villi with vacuolation of the superficial epithelial cells (n=6). Immunohistochemistry with monoclonal antibodies specific for Senecavirus A (SenV-A) demonstrated immunoreactivity of the choroid plexus of the cerebrum, degenerate epithelium of ulcerative lesions of the tongue, the urothelium of the kidney and urinary bladder, and the superficial cells of the intestine. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (PCR), PCR and/or quantitative PCR assays were used to investigate viral agents associated with vesicular and/or enteric diseases. Antigens and RNA of SenV-A were identified in multiple tissues of all piglets; molecular assays for all other viruses evaluated yielded negative results. These findings confirm the participation of SenV-A in the multiple lesions observed in these piglets. Several theories are proposed: SenV-A may be eliminated via the urinary system, neurological disease may occur due to initial invasion of choroid plexus, enteric disease may be related to atrophy and fusion of villi of the small intestine, and vertical transmission could be a form of dissemination.

Economic and sociodemographic inequalities in complete denture need among older Brazilian adults: a cross-sectional population-based study

BackgroundBrazil has severe socioeconomic inequalities, resulting in major oral health problems for the Brazilian elderly, such as tooth loss and, consequently, a need for oral rehabilitation. The aim of this study was to evaluate inequalities in complete denture need among older Brazilian adults in relation to social determinants at individual and contextual levels.MethodsThis retrospective study was based on data from the national oral health survey, SB Brasil 2010, in which 7,619 older adults aged 65–74 years participated. The dependent variable was complete denture need. The independent variables at the first level were age, sex, race, and socioeconomic status. The independent variables that were used to identify inequality at the contextual level were geographic region of Brazil, the population of the municipality where the subject lived, whether the subject lived in the state capital or not, and the Human Development Index. In order to describe the socioeconomic characteristics, a socioeconomic cluster variable was created using the multivariable cluster analysis technique. Prevalence ratios (PRs) with 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) were determined to evaluate the effect of each variable. Two-level multivariable modeling was performed to examine the individual and contextual effects.ResultsThere was a high prevalence of complete denture need among older Brazilian adults. The main factors associated with the prevalence of complete denture need were individual socioeconomic status (PR: 1.81; 95 % CI: 1.65–1.99), and the city-level contextual effect (PR: 1.20; 95 % CI: 1.08–1.34).ConclusionsConsistently poor rates of oral health rehabilitation were found among older Brazilian adults, and were associated with significant social inequality. Complete denture need was strongly associated with individual socioeconomic position. It was also verified that the Human Development Index, the city-level contextual effect, was associated with complete denture need.

Brazilian infant and preschool children feeding: literature review

ObjectiveTo assess the feeding profile of Brazilian infants and preschool children aged 6 months to 6 years, based on the qualitative and quantitative analysis of food and nutrient intake. Data sourceThis review analyzed studies carried out in Brazil that had food survey data on infants and preschool children. The search was limited to publications from the last 10 years included in the LILACS and MEDLINE electronic databases. Data summaryThe initial search identified 1480 articles, of which 1411 were excluded after the analysis of abstracts, as they were repeated or did not meet the inclusion criteria. Of the 69 articles assessed in full, 31 articles contained data on food survey and were selected. Only three studies concurrently assessed children from different Brazilian geographical regions. Of the assessed articles, eight had qualitative data, with descriptive analysis of food consumption frequency, and 23 had predominantly quantitative data, with information on energy and nutrient consumption. ConclusionsThe articles assessed in this review showed very heterogeneous results, making it difficult to compare findings. Overall, the feeding of infants and preschool children is characterized by low consumption of meat, fruits, and vegetables; high consumption of cow's milk and inadequate preparation of bottles; as well as early and high intake of fried foods, candies/sweets, soft drinks, and salt. These results provide aid for the development of strategies that aim to achieve better quality feeding of Brazilian infants and preschoolers.