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Study aim: To verify the relationship between different durations of regular practice of physical activity in aspects related to the anthropometric profile and hepatic function of patients infected by hepatitis C virus (HCV). Material and methods: 125 patients (aged 55.2 ± 10.4 years) participated in the study. Clinical data were obtained through medical records available at the Pernambuco Liver Institute. Physical activity levels were obtained through the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) short form to classify the patients according to the guidelines of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). Results: Significant differences were found in GGT 141 (28-378 U/L) and HDL 39 (27-56 mg/dL) respectively in insuffi­ciently active and physically active groups, AST 71 (26-268 U/L), ALT 83 (36-452 U/L), GGT 78 (3-532 U/L), alkaline phos­phatase 74 (47-302 mg/dL) and total bilirubin 0.7 (0.1-2.8 mg/dL) in insufficiently active and very physically active groups. Anthropometric data showed significant differences in chest (p < 0.01), abdomen (p < 0.02) and waist measurement (p < 0.01) between insufficiently active and very physically active groups.

A emergência e a reemergência das doenças infecciosas oferece desafios à saúde pública, gerando demandas para os governos e para a comunidade científica; o que leva à priorização de ações em saúde, estabelecimento de políticas, aprimoramento da vigilância, além da manutenção de uma boa infraestrutura laboratorial e do cumprimento das medidas de biossegurança. As encefalopatias espongiformes transmissíveis são doenças neurodegenerativas, causadas por um agente infeccioso desprovido de material genético, composto por elementos proteicos, altamente estáveis e resistentes aos processos de descontaminação utilizados rotineiramente nos serviços de saúde e assim representam riscos à saúde pública. Este estudo objetivou identificar os óbitos registrados no Brasil causados por príons, para estabelecer medidas de biossegurança relativas aos riscos oferecidos aos profissionais de saúde, no sentido de prevenir doenças ocupacionais. Foram levantados os óbitos por doenças priônicas no Brasil, no período de janeiro de 2005 a dezembro de 2010, utilizando como fonte de obtenção de dados o Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade (SIM), do Ministério da Saúde. Foi identificado 1 caso de Kuru e 132 casos de doença de Creutzfeldt-Jakob, do total de 171.223 óbitos causados por doenças infecciosas e parasitárias. Os príons foram classificados quanto ao risco e a seguir foram identificadas as medidas de biossegurança.

Vítimas de experiências costumam ver-se modificadas por elas. No caso de Primo Levi, isso pode ser verificado na narrativa de É isto um homem? e A trégua. Os livros tratam de sua passagem como vítima do Nazismo. Tais narrativas, contudo, não se resumem a relatar as experiências mais traumáticas e de maior ressonância histórica vividas. Micro-histórias e outras narrativas, muitas delas tratando de assuntos relativos ao cotidiano em situações-limite, é que dão o tom de suas páginas. Assim, absorve-se o nível de angústia que acomete Levi: como o Homem é capaz de se transformar em um outro, perdendo-se de si mesmo, e como isso pode transformar vítimas em algozes

O artigo reflete sobre os processos construtores de novas tecnologias advindas da dinâmica da produção de novos conhecimentos científicos, que envolvem demandas de mercado, associadas aos interesses industriais, ao consumo e às expectativas sociais diante das inovações tecnológicas, o que impõe à comunidade científica e acadêmica, novos desafios na elaboração de saberes, principalmente, naqueles apoiados na perspectiva da complexidade com a concorrência de múltiplas áreas e campos de conhecimento, incluindo enfaticamente o da biossegurança. Através dessa dinâmica analítica discute-se a essencialidade da biossegurança e sua interface com as inovações tecnológicas e a bioética que se estabelecem pelas vertentes da política em beneficio das ações preventivas, voltadas para promoção da qualidade de processos tecnológicos inovadores direcionados para a saúde.

Limited understanding of the Rb1 locus hinders genetic and epigenetic analyses of Retinoblastoma, a childhood cancer of the nervous systems. In this study, we used in silico tools to investigate and review putative genetic and epigenetic elements of the Rb1 gene. We report transcription start sites, CpG islands, and regulatory moieties that are likely to influence transcriptional states of this gene. These might contribute genetic and epigenetic information modulating tissue-specific transcripts and expression levels of the Rb1 gene. The elements we identified include tandem repeats that reside within or next to some identified putative CpG islands near Rb1’s transcriptional start site, and that are likely to be polymorphic among individuals. Our analyses highlight the complexity of this gene and suggest opportunities and limitations for future studies of retinoblastoma, genetic counseling, and the accurate identification of patients at greater risk of developing the malignancy.

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Retinoblastoma (RB), a childhood neoplasia of the retinoblasts, can occur unilaterally or bilaterally, with one or multiple foci per eye. RB is associated with somatic loss-of-function of both alleles of the tumor suppressor gene RB1. Hereditary forms emerge due to germline loss-of-function mutations in RB1 alleles. RB has long been the prototypic ‘‘model’’ cancer ever since Knudson’s ‘‘two-hit’’ hypothesis. However, a simple two-hit model for RB is challenged by an increasing number of studies documenting additional hits that contribute to RB development. Here we review the genetics and epigenetics of RB with a focus on the role of small noncoding RNAs (microRNAs) and on novel findings indicating the relevance of DNA methylation in the development and prognosis of this neoplasia. Studies point to an elaborated landscape of genetic and epigenetic complexity, in which a number of events and pahtways play crucial roles in the origin and prognosis of RB. These include roles for microRNAs, inprinted loci, and parent-of-origin contributions to RB1 regulation and RB progression. This complexity is also manifested in the structure of the RB1 locus itself: it includes numerous repetitive DNA segments and retrotransposon insertion elements, some of which are actively transcribed from the RB1 locus. Altogether, we conclude that RB1 loss of function represents the tip of an iceberg of events that determine RB development, progression, severity, and disease risk. Comprehensive assessment of personalized RB risk will require genetic and epigenetic evaluations beyond RB1 protein coding sequences.

Introduction: C 4 photosynthesis is an adaptation that has independently evolved at least 66 times in angiosperms. C 4 plants, unlike their C 3 ancestral, have a carbon concentrating mechanism which suppresses photorespiration, often resulting in faster photosynthetic rates, higher yields, and enhanced water use efficiency. Moreover, the presence of C 4 photosynthesis greatly alters the relation between CO 2 assimilation and stomatal conductance. Previous papers have suggested that the adjustment involves a decrease in stomatal density. Here, we tested if C 4 species also have differing stomatal responses to environmental cues, to accommodate the modified CO 2 assimilation patterns compared to C 3 species., Methods: To test this hypothesis, stomatal responses to blue and red-light were analysed in three phylogenetically linked pairs of C3 and C4 species from the Cleomaceae (Gynandropsis and Tarenaya), Flaveria, and Alloteropsis, that use either C3 or C4 photosynthesis., Results: The results showed strongly decreased stomatal sensitivity to blue light in C 4 dicots, compared to their C 3 counterparts, which exhibited significant blue light responses. In contrast, in C 3 and C 4 subspecies of the monocot A. semialata , the blue light response was observed regardless of photosynthetic type. Further, the quantitative red-light response varied across species, but the presence or absence of a significant stomatal red-light response was not directly associated with differences in photosynthetic pathway. Interestingly, stomatal density and morphology patterns observed across the three comparisons were also not consistent with patterns commonly asserted for C 3 and C 4 species., Discussion: The strongly diminished blue-light sensitivity of stomatal responses in C 4 species across two of the comparisons suggests a common C 4 feature that may have functional implications. Altogether, the strong prevalence of species-specific effects clearly emphasizes the importance of phylogenetic controls in comparisons between C 3 and C 4 photosynthetic pathways., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Bernardo, Sales, Cubas, Vath and Kromdijk.)

Despite the global importance of species with C4 photosynthesis, there is a lack of consensus regarding C4 performance under fluctuating light. Contrasting hypotheses and experimental evidence suggest that C4 photosynthesis is either less or more efficient in fixing carbon under fluctuating light than the ancestral C3 form. Two main issues have been identified that may underly the lack of consensus: neglect of evolutionary distance between selected C3 and C4 species and use of contrasting fluctuating light treatments. To circumvent these issues, we measured photosynthetic responses to fluctuating light across 3 independent phylogenetically controlled comparisons between C3 and C4 species from Alloteropsis, Flaveria, and Cleome genera under 21% and 2% O2. Leaves were subjected to repetitive stepwise changes in light intensity (800 and 100 µmol m-2 s-1 photon flux density) with 3 contrasting durations: 6, 30, and 300 s. These experiments reconciled the opposing results found across previous studies and showed that (i) stimulation of CO2 assimilation in C4 species during the low-light phase was both stronger and more sustained than in C3 species; (ii) CO2 assimilation patterns during the high-light phase could be attributable to species or C4 subtype differences rather than photosynthetic pathway; and (iii) the duration of each light step in the fluctuation regime can strongly influence experimental outcomes., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest statement. None declared., (© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of American Society of Plant Biologists.)

Introduction: Despite their importance for the global carbon cycle and crop production, species with C 4 photosynthesis are still somewhat understudied relative to C 3 species. Although the benefits of the C 4 carbon concentrating mechanism are readily observable under optimal steady state conditions, it is less clear how the presence of C 4 affects activation of CO 2 assimilation during photosynthetic induction., Methods: In this study we aimed to characterise differences between C 4 and C 3 photosynthetic induction responses by analysing steady state photosynthesis and photosynthetic induction in three phylogenetically linked pairs of C 3 and C 4 species from Alloteropsis , Flaveria , and Cleome genera. Experiments were conducted both at 21% and 2% O 2 to evaluate the role of photorespiration during photosynthetic induction., Results: Our results confirm C 4 species have slower activation of CO 2 assimilation during photosynthetic induction than C 3 species, but the apparent mechanism behind these differences varied between genera. Incomplete suppression of photorespiration was found to impact photosynthetic induction significantly in C 4 Flaveria bidentis , whereas in the Cleome and Alloteropsis C 4 species, delayed activation of the C 3 cycle appeared to limit induction and a potentially supporting role for photorespiration was also identified., Discussion: The sheer variation in photosynthetic induction responses observed in our limited sample of species highlights the importance of controlling for evolutionary distance when comparing C 3 and C 4 photosynthetic pathways., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Arce Cubas, Vath, Bernardo, Sales, Burnett and Kromdijk.)

Introduction: Retention in HIV care is a challenge in Mozambique. Mozambique´s southern provinces have the highest mobility levels of the country. Mobility may result in poorer response to HIV care and treatment initiatives., Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey to explore the impact of mobility on retention for HIV-positive adults on ART presenting to the clinic in December 2017 and January 2018. Survey data were linked to participant clinical records from the HIV care and treatment program. This study took place in Manhiça District, southern Mozambique. We enrolled self-identified migrants (moved outside of Manhiça District ≤12 months prior to survey) and non-migrants, matched by age and sex., Results: 390 HIV-positive adults were included. We found frequent movement: 45% of migrants reported leaving the district 3-5 times over the past 12 months, usually for extended stays. South Africa was the most common destination (71%). Overall, 30% of participants had at least one delay (15-60 days) in ART pick-up and 11% were delayed >60 days, though no significant difference was seen between mobile and non-mobile cohorts. Few migrants accessed care while traveling., Conclusion: Our population of mobile and non-mobile participants showed frequent lapses in ART pick-up. Mobility could be for extended time periods and HIV care frequently did not continue at the destination. Studies are needed to evaluate the impact of Mozambique´s approach of providing 3-months ART among mobile populations and barriers to care while traveling, as is better education on how and where to access care when traveling., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Patients lost to follow-up (LTFU) over the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cascade have poor clinical outcomes and contribute to onward HIV transmission. We assessed true care outcomes and factors associated with successful reengagement in patients LTFU in southern Mozambique.Newly diagnosed HIV-positive adults were consecutively recruited in the Manhiça District. Patients LTFU within 12 months after HIV diagnosis were visited at home from June 2015 to July 2016 and interviewed for ascertainment of outcomes and reasons for LTFU. Factors associated with reengagement in care within 90 days after the home visit were analyzed by Cox proportional hazards model.Among 1122 newly HIV-diagnosed adults, 691 (61.6%) were identified as LTFU. Of those, 557 (80.6%) were approached at their homes and 321 (57.6%) found at home. Over 50% had died or migrated, 10% had been misclassified as LTFU, and 252 (78.5%) were interviewed. Following the visit, 79 (31.3%) reengaged in care. Having registered in care and a shorter time between LTFU and visit were associated with reengagement in multivariate analyses: adjusted hazards ratio of 3.54 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.81-6.92; P < .001] and 0.93 (95% CI: 0.87-1.00; P = .045), respectively. The most frequently reported barriers were the lack of trust in the HIV-diagnosis, the perception of being in good health, and fear of being badly treated by health personnel and differed by type of LTFU.Estimates of LTFU in rural areas of sub-Saharan Africa are likely to be overestimated in the absence of active tracing strategies. Home visits are resource-intensive but useful strategies for reengagement for at least one-third of LTFU patients when applied in the context of differentiated care for those LTFU individuals who had already enrolled in HIV care at some point.

Background: The implementation of quality HIV control programs is crucial for the achievement of the UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets and to motivate people living with HIV (PLWHIV) to link and remain in HIV-care. The aim of this mixed method cross-sectional study was to estimate the linkage and long-term retention in care of PLWHIV and to identify factors potentially interfering along the HIV-care continuum in southern Mozambique., Methods: A home-based semi-structured interview was conducted in 2015 to explore barriers and facilitators to the HIV-care cascade among individuals that had been newly HIV-diagnosed in community testing campaigns in 2010 or 2012. Linkage and long-term retention were estimated retrospectively through client self-reports and clinical records. Cohen's Kappa coefficient was calculated to measure the agreement between participant self-reported and documented cascade outcomes., Results: Among the 112 interviewed participants, 24 (21.4%) did not disclose their HIV-positive serostatus to the interviewer. While 84 (75.0%) self-reported having enrolled in care, only 69 (61.6%) reported still being in-care 3-5 years after diagnosis of which 17.4% reported having disengaged and re-engaged. An important factor affecting optimal continuum in HIV-care was the impact of the fear-based authoritarian relationship between the health system and the patient that could act as both driver and barrier., Conclusion: Special attention should be given to quantify and understand repeated cycles of patient disengagement and re-engagement in HIV-care. Strategies to improve the relationship between the health system and patients are still needed in order to optimally engage PLWHIV for long-term periods., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

The global demand for medicinal plants is increasing. The quality of plants grown outdoors, however, is difficult to control. Myriad environmental factors influence plant growth and directly impact biosynthetic pathways, thus affecting the secondary metabolism of bioactive compounds. Plant factories use artificial lighting to increase the quality of medicinal plants and stabilize production. Photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) and electrical conductivity (EC) of nutrient solutions are two important factors that substantially influence perilla ( Perilla frutescens , Labiatae) plant growth and quality. To identify suitable levels of PPFD and EC for perilla plants grown in a plant factory, the growth, photosynthesis, and accumulation of secondary metabolites in red and green perilla plants were measured at PPFD values of 100, 200, and 300 μmol m -2 s -1 in nutrient solutions with EC values of 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 dS m -1 . The results showed significant interactive effects between PPFD and EC for both the fresh and dry weights of green perilla, but not for red perilla. The fresh and dry weights of shoots and leafy areas were affected more by EC than by PPFD in green perilla, whereas they were affected more by PPFD than by EC in red perilla. Leaf net photosynthetic rates were increased as PPFD increased in both perilla varieties, regardless of EC. The perillaldehyde concentration (mg g -1 ) in red perilla was unaffected by the treatments, but accumulation in plants (mg per plant) was significantly enhanced as the weight of dry leaves increased. Perillaldehyde concentrations in green perilla showed significant differences between combinations of the highest PPFD with the highest EC and the lowest PPFD with the lowest EC. Rosmarinic acid concentration (mg g -1 ) was increased in a combination of low EC and high PPFD conditions. Optimal cultivation conditions of red and green perilla in plant factory will be discussed in terms of plant growth and contents of medicinal ingredients.