Highest Annual Incidence Research Articles

COPPEREPLACE 1. Copper applications in organic viticulture are a real challenge today. Part 1 - Scientific Activities

In grape and wine production, one of the main relevant and recurrent diseases is downy mildew caused by the fungus (Plamospara viticola). It is frequently present in wine production worldwide, with a significant high annual incidence in some regions. Since the discovery of Bordeaux mixture (copper sulphate and lime) in the 1880’s, many formulations based on copper (Cu) have been developed and used in viticulture production. https://coppereplace.com/.

Network pharmacology-based study on the mechanism of action of Trollius chinensis capsule in the treatment of upper respiratory tract infection.

Upper respiratory tract infection (URTI), one of the most common respiratory diseases, has a high annual incidence. Trollius chinensis capsule has been used to treat URTI in China. However, the underlying-mechanisms remain unclear. Network pharmacology was used to explore the potential mechanism of action of Trollius chinensis capsule in URTI treatment. The active compounds in Trollius chinensis were obtained from the TCMSP, SymMap, and ETCM databases. The TCMSP, PubChem, and SwissTargetPrediction databases were used to predict potential targets of Trollius chinensis. URTI-associated targets were gathered from GeneCards and DisGeNET databases. The key targets and signaling pathways associated with URTI were selected by network topology, GO, and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis. Molecular docking was used to verify the binding activity between active compounds and key targets. Quercetin, pectolinarigenin, beta-sitosterol, acacetin and cirsimaritin are major active compounds in Trollius chinensis capsule. Eighty one candidate therapeutic targets were confirmed to be involved in protection of Trollius chinensis capsule against URTI. Among them, 7 key targets (TP53, IL6, AKT1, CASP3, CXCL8, MMP9, and EGFR) were verified to have good binding affinities to the main active compounds. Furthermore, enrichment analyses suggested that inflammatory response, virus infection and oxidative stress related biological processes and pathways were possibly the potential mechanism. Overall, the present study clarified that quercetin, pectolinarigenin, beta-sitosterol, acacetin and cirsimaritin are proved to be the main effective compounds of Trollius chinensis capsule treating URTI, possibly by acting on the targets of IL6, AKT1, CASP3, CXCL8, MMP9 and EGFR to play anti-infectious, anti-viral, and anti-oxidative effects. This study provides a new understanding of the active compounds and mechanisms of Trollius chinensis capsule in URTI treatment from the perspective of network pharmacology.

Incidence of tuberculous infection in a TB-endemic city.

<sec id="st1"><title>BACKGROUND</title>Current metrics for TB transmission include TB notifications, disease mortality, and prevalence surveys. These metrics are helpful to national TB programs to assess the burden of disease, but they do not directly measure incident infection in the community.</sec><sec id="st2"><title>METHODS</title>To estimate incidence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in Kampala, Uganda, we performed a prospective cohort study between 2014 and 2017 which enrolled of 1,275 adult residents without signs of tuberculous infection (tuberculin skin test [TST] <5 mm and no signs of TB disease) and followed them for conversion of TST at 1 year.</sec><sec id="st3"><title>RESULTS</title>During follow-up, 194 participants converted the TST and 158 converted by one year. The incidence density of TST conversion was 13.2 conversions/100 person-year (95% CI 11.6-15.1), which corresponds to an annual cumulative incidence of tuberculous infection of 12.4% (95% CI 10.7-14.3). Cumulative incidence was greater among older participants and among men. Among participants who reported prior exposure to TB cases, the cumulative risk was highest among those reporting exposure during follow-up.</sec><sec id="st4"><title>CONCLUSIONS</title>The high annual incidence of infection suggests that residents of Kampala have adequate contact for infection with undetected, infectious cases of TB as they go about their daily lives.</sec>.

Arboviruses in the COVID-19 era in the State of Maranhão, Brazil (2019–2021)

Chikungunya, Dengue, and Zika viruses are endemic to Brazil, with a high annual incidence rate. As COVID-19 emerged as a pandemic, the diagnosis of arboviruses was underestimated. Hence, this study aimed to characterize the sociodemographic and clinical aspects of arboviruses in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic in the state of Maranhão, Brazil. Sociodemographic and clinical data were obtained by applying questionnaires to 179 patients treated at health units in São José de Ribamar, Paço do Lumiar, Raposa, Santa Inês, and Vargem Grande municipalities. Serological and polymerase chain reaction analyses were performed do detect Chikungunya, Zika, Dengue, and COVID-19 infections. The Maranhão state registered 706 probable cases of Chikungunya from 2019 to 2020. In 2020, the cases were reduced by 74.8% compared to those reported in 2019. The test results were analyzed separately. Here, 46.3% of the Chikungunya virus test results were negative, and 36.8% were positive. For the Zika virus tests, most (79.9%) were positive, as well as the DENV1, DENV2, DENV3, and DENV4 tests (88.3%, 88.3%, 89.4%, and 65.9%, respectively). For the COVID-19 tests, of the 146 individuals tested, 52.7% were reactive when considering the anti-S test, and 17.8% were positive when considering the anti-N test. Fever and myalgia were the symptoms most frequently reported by patients. Our results emphasize the importance of continuous epidemiological surveillance of arboviruses in northeastern Brazil, and simultaneous testing for Chikungunya, Dengue, and Zika viruses among suspected patients.

Trends and geospatial distribution of stillbirths in Uganda, 2014–2020

IntroductionUganda with 17.8 stillbirths per 1,000 deliveries in 2021, is among the countries with a high burden of stillbirths globally. In 2014, Uganda adopted the World Health Organization Every New-born Action Plan (ENAP), which targets < 10 stillbirths per 1,000 deliveries by 2035. Little is known about the trends of stillbirth burden since ENAP was introduced. We assessed the temporal, and spatial distribution of stillbirths, in Uganda, 2014–2020, to inform programming for safe pregnancies and deliveries.MethodsWe obtained and analysed stillbirth surveillance data from the District Health Information System, 2014–2020. A stillbirth was defined as the death of a foetus > 28 weeks of pregnancy or weighing > 1000 g before or during birth and reported to a health facility. We calculated annual incidence rates of stillbirths per 1,000 deliveries at district, regional, and national levels. We used logistic regression to determine the significance of trends.ResultsThe overall national annual incidence of stillbirths decreased from 24/1,000 deliveries in 2014 to 17/1,000 deliveries in 2020. During the same period, reporting rates declined from 71% in 2014 to 46% in 2020. The central region continuously had the highest incidence rate for the past 5 years despite the largest decline (OR = 0.79; CI = 0.77–0.83, P < 0.001) while the eastern region had the smallest decline (OR = 0.59; CI = 0.57–0.61, P < 0.001). Districts with persistently high annual incidence rates of stillbirths (> 30/1000) included Mubende, Kalangala, Hoima, and Nebbi. There was no difference in the reporting rates of the most- vs. least-affected districts.ConclusionEven with suboptimal reporting, the incidence of stillbirths remained above the national target. Specific areas in the country appear to have particularly high stillbirth rates. We recommend continuous capacity building in managing pregnant women with an emphasis on the most affected districts, and investigation into the reasons for low reporting.

Taking the Next Step in Double Refractory Disease: Current and Future Treatment Strategies for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a monoclonal B-cell lymphoproliferative disease with a high annual incidence in Western countries. As B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling and intrinsic apoptotic resistance play critical roles in the development and survival of CLL cells, therapeutic approaches targeting these pathways have been extensively investigated to tackle this incurable disease. Over the last decade, several Phase 3 trials have confirmed the superior efficacy of covalent Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitors (cBTKis) and venetoclax, a selective B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL2) inhibitor, over chemoimmunotherapy. This has been demonstrated in both the treatment-naïve and relapsed/refractory (RR) settings and includes patients with high-risk molecular features. However, these drugs are not curative, with patients continuing to relapse after treatment with both cBTKis and BCL2is, and the optimal treatment strategy for these patients has not been defined. Several novel agents with distinct mechanisms have recently been developed for CLL which have demonstrated efficacy in patients who have previously received cBTKis and BCL2i. In particular, novel BCR-signaling targeting agents have shown promising efficacy in early-phase clinical trials for RR-CLL. Furthermore, cancer immunotherapies such as bispecific antibodies and chimeric antigen receptor T-cells have also shown anti-tumor activity in patients with heavily pretreated RR-CLL. Personalised approaches with these novel agents and combination strategies based on the understanding of resistance mechanisms have the potential to overcome the clinical challenge of what to do next for a patient who has already had a cBTKi and venetoclax.

Epidemiological behaviour and interventions of malaria in Niger, 2010–2019: a time-series analysis of national surveillance data

BackgroundMalaria remains a significant public health concern in Niger, with the number of cases increasing from 592,334 in 2000 to 3,138,696 in 2010. In response, a concerted campaign against the disease has been initiated. However, the implementation of these malaria interventions and their association with epidemiological behaviour remains unclear.MethodsA time-series study was conducted in Niger from 2010 to 2019. Multiple data sources concerning malaria were integrated, encompassing national surveillance data, Statistic Yearbook, targeted malaria control interventions, and meteorological data. Incidence rate, mortality rate, and case fatality ratio (CFR) by different regions and age groups were analysed. Joinpoint regression models were used to estimate annual changes in malaria. The changes in coverage of malaria interventions were evaluated.ResultsBetween 2010 to 2019, the incidence rate of malaria decreased from 249.43 to 187.00 cases per 1,000 population in Niger. Niamey had a high annual mean incidence rate and the lowest CFR, while Agadez was on the contrary. Joinpoint regression analysis revealed a declining trend in malaria incidence for all age groups except the 10–24 years group, and the mortality rate and the CFR initially decreased followed by an increase in all age groups. Niger has implemented a series of malaria interventions, with the major ones being scaled up to larger populations during the study period.ConclusionsThe scale-up of multi-interventions in Niger has significantly reduced malaria incidence, but the rise in mortality rate and CFR addresses the challenges in malaria control and elimination. Malaria endemic countries should enhance surveillance of malaria cases and drug resistance in Plasmodium, improve diagnosis and treatment, expand the population coverage of insecticide-treated bed nets and seasonal malaria chemoprevention, and strengthen the management of severe malaria cases.

Mapeamento das práticas e abordagens de terapeutas ocupacionais na doença de Parkinson: uma revisão de escopo

Abstract Introduction Parkinson’s disease (PD) ranks second among progressive chronic neurodegenerative diseases, with high prevalence and annual incidence. Therefore, it is necessary to update the current and developing occupational therapy options for this pathology. Objective To map the practices and approaches of occupational therapists conducted through therapeutic interventions in PD. Method Review conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) Checklist, based on the methodology of the Joanna Briggs Institute. The research question was formulated using the PCC (Patient, Concept, and Context) acronym, with primary and secondary terms consulted in the DeCS/MeSH multilingual thesaurus. Searches were conducted on five scientific databases between 2011 and 2020. Blind researchers were compared by the degree of agreement measured by Cohen’s kappa coefficient. Results The findings indicate that there are at least eight categories of practices and approaches performed by occupational therapists in PD. Most procedures are conducted at home. Research in outpatient environments is the primary setting for knowledge production in the field. Strategies focused on physical and functional behaviors are most in demand in PD, with measurable results, while occupation-based interventions show modest results. Conclusion The actions of occupational therapists in PD are highly variable, occur in different contexts, and their outcomes suggest that not all mapped options present consistent results or are not sufficiently detailed to favor a better interpretation of the findings.

Classification and Characterization of Traumatic Brain Injuries in the Northern Region of Sweden.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a common cause of death and disability, the incidence of which in northern Sweden is not fully investigated. This study classifies and characterize epidemiological and demographic features of TBIs in a defined population in Umeå county, Sweden. Specifically, to evaluate frequencies of (1) intracranial lesions detected with computed tomography (CT), (2) need for emergency intervention, and (3) hospital admission, in minimal, mild, moderate, and severe TBI, respectively. The data were gathered from 4057 TBI patients visiting our emergency room (ER) during a two-year period (2015-2016), of whom 56% were men and approximately 95% had minimal TBIs (Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), score 15). Of all injuries, 97.8% were mild (GCS 14-15), 1.7% were moderate (GCS 9-13), and 0.5% were severe (GCS < 9). CT scans were performed on 46% of the patients, with 28% being hospitalized. A high annual TBI incidence of 1350 cases per 100,000 citizens was found. The mortality rate was 0.5% with the majority as expected in the elderly group (>80 years). Minimal TBIs were not as mild as previously reported, with a relatively high frequency of abnormal CT findings and a high mortality rate. No emergency intervention was required in patients in the GCS 13-15 group with normal CT scans. These findings have implications for clinical practice in the ER with the suggestion to include biomarkers to reduce unnecessary CT scans.

Prospective incidence epidemiology study protocol: conducting active surveillance to assess the burden of Lyme disease (BOLD) in primary care practices in endemic areas of six European countries

IntroductionLyme disease (LD) is the most frequent tick-borne disease in the moderate climates of Europe. This study will inform the phase III efficacy study for Pfizer and Valneva’s investigational Lyme...

Optimizing breast cancer treatment using hyperthermia: A single and multi-objective optimal control approach

In recent decades, the study and development of numerical strategies for cancer treatment have become increasingly feasible, thanks to the advancement of numerical techniques and the increased availability of higher-performance computers. This has enabled researchers to tackle more complex and realistic problems associated with cancer treatment. Among the deadliest types of carcinomas, breast cancer is one of the most extensively studied, primarily due to its high annual incidence and mortality rate. From a medical standpoint, hyperthermia has emerged as one of the most promising treatment modalities. In general, this procedure involves applying heat to the tumor using an applicator over a period of time in order to destroy pathological cells. The applicator provides a source of energy that is used to raise the temperature inside the tumor. Traditionally, a constant heat source has been utilized during the treatment period. This article proposes single and multi-objective optimal control problems for breast cancer treatment by hyperthermia, and solutions for these problems are provided. In this instance, the heat source is treated as a control variable considering two types of strategies: i) increasing monotone control and ii) non-monotone control. For this purpose, the extent of tissue damage is considered a constraint in each application to ensure the degree of tissue damage. As expected, the findings demonstrate that the best result was achieved when employing a strategy that considers only the lateral limits, without any additional constraints. In addition, for every case study, a more appropriate optimal strategy can be employed for cancer treatment. Moreover, for the multi-objective optimal control problem, a satisfactory balance between the objectives can be selected such that a specific optimal strategy can be established for each patient.

Acceptability of 4-poster deer treatment devices for community-wide tick control among residents of high Lyme disease incidence counties in Connecticut and New York, USA

The 4-Poster Tick Control Deer Feeder (4-poster) device applies acaricide to white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and can reduce populations of the blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis), which transmits the agents of Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, and Powassan virus disease in the Northeastern United States. While 4-poster devices have the potential to provide community-wide management of blacklegged ticks in Lyme disease endemic areas, no recent study has assessed their acceptability among residents. We conducted a survey of residents from 16 counties with high annual average Lyme disease incidence (≥ 10 cases per 100,000 persons between 2013 and 2017) in Connecticut and New York to understand perceptions and experiences related to tickborne diseases, support or concerns for placement of 4-poster devices in their community, and opinions on which entities should be responsible for tick control on private properties. Overall, 37% of 1652 respondents (5.5% response rate) would support placement of a 4-poster device on their own property, 71% would support placement on other private land in their community, and 90% would support placement on public land. Respondents who were male, rented their property, resided on larger properties, or were very or extremely concerned about encountering ticks on their property were each more likely to support placement of 4-poster devices on their own property. The primary reason for not supporting placement of a 4-poster device on one's own property was the need for weekly service visits from pest control professionals, whereas the top reason for not supporting placement on other land (private or public) was safety concerns. Most respondents (61%) felt property owners should be responsible for tick control on private properties. Communities considering 4-poster devices as part of a tick management strategy should consider targeting owners of larger properties and placing devices on public lands.

Bacterial Profile and Antibiotic Use in Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection Patients at a Tertiary Referral Hospital in Surabaya, Indonesia

Highlights: This study examined patients with catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) to find the prevalent bacteria and the frequency of antibiotic use. Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli sensitive to amikacin was found to be the most common pathogen in CAUTI, while ceftriaxone was the most commonly used antibiotic. Abstract Catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) is the most typical type of infection associated with healthcare. This infection constitutes a significant health problem due to its complications and frequent recurrence. The high annual incidence of CAUTI leads to infectious complications and a high cost of treatment. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria further complicate the problem because multiresistant pathogenic bacteria are often responsible for these infections. Moreover, the lack of a comprehensive case reporting system in Indonesia hinders the determination of CAUTI incidence. This study aimed to determine the bacterial profile and antibiotic use in CAUTI patients (n=22) at the Internal Medicine Inpatient Unit of Dr. Soetomo General Academic Hospital, Surabaya, Indonesia. This retrospective descriptive study collected data from patient medical records to describe the incidence, type of bacteria, sensitivity patterns, and antibiotic use in CAUTI patients. The data collection process included collecting medical records, recording information on data collection sheets, and recapitulating and analyzing the data. The criteria for CAUTI diagnosis were a bacterial count of ≥105 CFU/mL and a catheterization that lasted more than 48 hours. Samples were selected using non-probability sampling, also known as saturation sampling. Meanwhile, variables analyzed in this study were the type of pathogenic bacteria, antibiotics used, age, and sex. Descriptive analysis was employed to analyze the data. The findings suggested that the most common bacteria were Escherichia coli, with eight of nine bacteria showing extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) production. Female patients aged 35–65 years were the majority of the CAUTI patients. Amikacin was the antibiotic with the highest sensitivity (90.9%), while ceftriaxone was the most common type of antibiotic administered to the patients. In addition, intravenous (IV) administration was the most common route of antibiotic administration, with an average therapy duration of seven days. In conclusion, identifying the type of pathogenic bacteria and performing antibiotic susceptibility testing can help minimize antibiotic resistance and prevent more severe complications in CAUTI patients.

Anti‑tumor properties of FoxO1 in YD‑9 oral squamous cell carcinoma cells.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a tumor with a poor prognosis and a high recurrence rate. Despite its high annual incidence worldwide, appropriate therapeutic strategies have not yet been developed. Consequently, the 5‑year survival rate for OSCC is low when advanced stages or recurrence is diagnosed. Forkhead transcriptional factor O1 (FoxO1) is a key mediator for maintaining cellular homeostasis. FoxO1 can function as a tumor suppressor as well as an oncogene depending on the cancer type. Therefore, the precise molecular functions of FoxO1 need to be validated, considering intracellular factors and the extracellular environment. To the best of our knowledge, however, the roles of FoxO1 in OSCC have not yet been defined. The present study examined FoxO1 levels under pathological conditions (oral lichen planus and oral cancer) and selected an appropriate OSCC cell line (YD‑9). Crispr/Cas9 was used to generate FoxO1‑deficient YD‑9 cells in which the protein levels of phospho ERK and phospho STAT3 were upregulated, promoting cancer proliferation and migration. In addition, FoxO1 reduction increased the levels of the cell proliferation markers phospho H3 (Ser10) and PCNA. FoxO1 loss significantly reduced cellular ROS levels and apoptosis in YD‑9 cells. Collectively, the present study demonstrated that FoxO1 exerted an anti‑tumor effect by suppressing proliferation and migration/invasion but promoting oxidative stress‑linked cell death in YD‑9 OSCC cells.

Availability of medical care for the rural population with diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue in the Republic of Bashkortostan

The morbidity rate of the rural population is lower than that of the urban population for all classes of diseases, which is due to the low availability of medical care (MC) for rural residents, including those with diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue (DSST). The purpose of our study was to study the accessibility of MP to the rural population of the Republic of Bashkortostan with DSST and determine ways to improve it.Materials and methods. An analysis was made of the incidence of the rural population of DSST, resource provision of dermatovenereological care and the volume of primary health care and specialized, including high-tech MC, based on reporting data for the Republic of Bashkortostan (RB) in comparison with the indicators of the Russian Federation (RF) and the Volga Federal District (VFD).Results. For the period 2013–2020 in the RB, there are high average annual incidence rates of the rural population with DSST, exceeding similar data for the RF and VFD. The provision of dermatovenerologists has decreased (the rate of decrease is 16.2 %), the number of dermatovenereological rooms has decreased (the rate of decrease is 9.3 %). In terms of the number of dermatological beds, the republic ranks frst among other regions of the VFD, and second in terms of the level of provision. The share of rural residents who received high-tech MC in 2020 amounted to 38.5 % of the total quota.Conclusion. As a result of the study, the need to increase the role of nursing staff of central district hospitals in conducting dispensary observation of patients with chronic dermatoses, creating algorithms for constant interaction between dermatovenereologists of the consultative and diagnostic department of the Republican dermatovenerologic dispensary and doctors and / or nurses of districts, creating a republican register of patients with chronic dermatosis, increase in the volume of high-tech medical care with the use of genetic engineering biological therapy. The priority in increasing the availability of medical care for the rural population with DSST is systematic work consisting in the development and implementation of a set of organizational solutions.

Metal Nanoparticles to Combat Candida albicans Infections: An Update.

Candidiasis is an opportunistic mycosis with high annual incidence worldwide. In these infections, Candida albicans is the chief pathogen owing to its multiple virulence factors. C. albicans infections are usually treated with azoles, polyenes and echinocandins. However, these antifungals may have limitations regarding toxicity, relapse of infections, high cost, and emergence of antifungal resistance. Thus, the development of nanocarrier systems, such as metal nanoparticles, has been widely investigated. Metal nanoparticles are particulate dispersions or solid particles 10-100 nm in size, with unique physical and chemical properties that make them useful in biomedical applications. In this review, we focus on the activity of silver, gold, and iron nanoparticles against C. albicans. We discuss the use of metal nanoparticles as delivery vehicles for antifungal drugs or natural compounds to increase their biocompatibility and effectiveness. Promisingly, most of these nanoparticles exhibit potential antifungal activity through multi-target mechanisms in C. albicans cells and biofilms, which can minimize the emergence of antifungal resistance. The cytotoxicity of metal nanoparticles is a concern, and adjustments in synthesis approaches or coating techniques have been addressed to overcome these limitations, with great emphasis on green synthesis.

A Study of Malaria in West Bengal

Background: Malaria still occurs in West Bengal which is one of the states in the eastern part of India. Materials and Methods: The study design included an analysis of the 2017 and 2018 annual reports of the National Centre for Vector Borne Disease Control (NCVBDC). Results: The district of Kolkata had a high Annual Parasite Incidence (API) of Malaria of 3.72 during 2017 which decreased to 3.12 in 2018. Conclusion: If interventions such as the treatment of asymptomatic carriers take place, it is expected that the API will come down sooner in Kolkata district and in the rest of the state too.

Photoprotective Activity of Plants Used for Skin Disorders by the Native Population from the Brazilian Amazon Basin: A Preliminary Study

Pharmacognosy Research,2023,15,1,112-118.DOI:10.5530/097484900267Published:December 2022Type:Original ArticleAuthors:Thiago Portal, Margarete Tavares, Marcieni Ataide, Nadia Rezende Barbosa, Joseane R da Silva, Waldiney Pires Moraes, and Jose Luiz Vieira Author(s) affiliations:Thiago Portal, Margarete Tavares, Marcieni Ataide, Nadia Rezende Barbosa, Joseane R da Silva, Waldiney Pires Moraes, Jose Luiz Vieira* Faculty of Pharmacy, Campus Universitario do Guama, Para Federal University, Belem-PA, Brazil. Abstract:Background: Sunscreens are essential in tropical countries with a high annual incidence of solar radiation. The incorporation of natural products in their formulations has great public acceptance and prevents several issues related to organic and inorganic filters, such as adverse reactions. The present study evaluates the antioxidant and photoprotective activities and the ability to inhibit tyrosinase of three plant species traditionally used by Amazonian inhabitants in the treatment of skin disorders. Materials and Methods: The antioxidant activity, the capacity to inhibit the enzyme tyrosinase, ratio UVA/UVB, critical wavelength, sun protection factor, and cellular viability was assessed in ethanolic extracts at 10% of Chrysobalanus icaco, Kalanchoe pinnata, and Ayapana triplinervis collected in the State of Para-Brazil. Results: Chrysobalanus icaco and Kalanchoe pinnata showed promising antioxidant activity. Ayapana triplinervis demonstrated considerable inhibition of the tyrosinase enzyme. Plants extracts had low protection against UVB radiation, but adequate UVA protection. Ayapana triplinervis presented the lowest cellular viability of keratinocytes and murine fibroblasts. Conclusion: The addition of these extracts to other natural products with high sun protection factors can provide the consumer with a natural sunscreen. Keywords:Antioxidant, Ayapana triplinervis, Chrysobalanus icaco, Depigmenting agent, Kalanchoe pinnata, Photoprotection, Skin disordersView:PDF (246.16 KB)

Dengue, Chikungunya, and Zika: Spatial and Temporal Distribution in Rio de Janeiro State, 2015–2019

Simultaneous spatial circulation of urban arboviral diseases, such as dengue, chikungunya, and Zika, is a major challenge. In this ecological study of urban arboviruses performed from 2015 to 2019, we analyzed the spatial and temporal dynamics of these arboviruses in all 92 municipalities and nine health regions of Rio de Janeiro state. Annual cumulative incidences are presented for all three arboviruses throughout the study period. Spatial analyses of the three studied arboviruses showed distinct behaviors among municipalities and health regions. Co-circulation of the three arboviruses in the state and a heterogeneous spatiotemporal pattern was observed for each disease and region, with dengue having a higher annual incidence during the five years of the study, as well as two consecutive epidemic years in the state. The increase in transmission in different regions of the state in one year culminated in an epidemic in the state in the following year. A high annual cumulative incidence of chikungunya occurred in municipalities from 2017 to 2019 and of Zika only in 2016. Some municipalities with higher population densities showed higher incidences for some arboviruses and appeared to contribute to the dissemination to cities of lower demographic density and maintenance of these urban arboviruses. Thus, regions recording increased incidences of the three diseases in their territories for long periods should be considered municipal poles, as they initiated and sustained high transmission within their region.

Associations between comorbidities and annual incidence plus frequency of asthma exacerbation hospitalisation during the past year: data from CARN study

PurposeWhile asthma comorbidities are associated with higher health care utilisation, lower quality of life and poorer asthma control, the impact of asthma comorbidities on hospitalisation for asthma exacerbation (H-AX) remains less recognised. We aim to analyse the impact of asthma comorbidities on H-AX.MethodsBased on a national survey on asthma control and disease perception (CARN 2015 study), we analysed the impact of comorbidities on annual incidence and frequency of H-AX in China. Information on demographic characteristics, asthma comorbidities and annual incidence and frequency of H-AX were presented in this study.ResultsAmong 3875 ambulatory asthma patients, 75.9% (2941/3875) had comorbidities, and 26.4% (1017/3858) experienced H-AX during past year. After adjusting for confounding factors such as demographic data, smoking status and asthma control, COPD [OR = 2.189, 95% CI (1.673, 2.863)] and coronary heart disease [OR = 1.387, 95% CI (1.032, 1.864)] were associated with higher annual incidence, while allergic rhinitis [OR = 0.692, 95% CI (0.588, 0.815)] was associated with lower annual incidence, of H-AX. In terms of frequency, allergic rhinitis [OR = 1.630, 95% CI (1.214, 2.187)], COPD [OR = 1.472, 95% CI (1.021, 2.122)] and anxiety [OR = 2.609, 95% CI (1.051, 6.477)] showed statistically significant correlation with frequent H-AX.ConclusionsCOPD and coronary heart disease were associated with higher annual incidence, while allergic rhinitis was associated with lower annual incidence of H-AX. Allergic rhinitis, COPD and anxiety were associated with frequent H-AX. Comorbidities may have an important role in the risk and frequency of annual hospitalisations due to asthma exacerbation. The goal of asthma control should rely on a multi-disciplinary treatment protocol.