Polymorphisms of the Toll-Like Receptor-2 Gene in Patients with Leprosy and Their Healthy Contacts

Leprosy is an immunopathology caused by M. leprae;its evolution depends on immunological and genetic aspects of the host. The objective was verifying the relationship between SNPs 2029 and 2258 of the TLR-2 gene and leprosy. Blood samples from 127 individuals were analyzed: 45 patients, being 34 multibacillary (MB) and 11 paucibacillary (PB) and 82 contacts, in the municipalities of the State of Pará-Brazil. SNPs 2029 and 2258 of the TLR-2 gene were genotyped by sequencing on the ABI 3130 Genetic Analyzer (Applied Biosystems), analyzed using Fisher’s exact test. Distribution of SNP 2029 genotypes: all MB individuals presented the C/C genotype and the mutant (C/T) genotype was observed in contacts and PB. Alleles: all MB individuals presented only C allele and the mutant allele (T) was observed in contacts and PB. SNP 2258 genotypes: 79 contacts had G/G genotype and only 3 had G/A genotype, the MB group had only G/G genotype and the PB group was predominant G/G, with only 1 G/A genotype. Alleles: all MB individuals had allele G and the mutant allele (A) was observed in contacts and PB. The association between the SNPs and the susceptibility or protection to leprosy was not observed.

Situations of Domestic Violence against Children and Adolescents in a Northeastern Brazilian Capital

Objective: To describe the epidemiological profile of children and adolescents who are victims of domestic violence. Method: This is a cross sectional and descriptive study, following a quantitative approach, conducted from September to December 2013, at the SOS CHILD service, in the city of Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. The research protocol was approved by CEP/UFRN under CAAE 0166.0.051.000-11. Results: In the analysis of 69 children, the results were presented from three points of view: 1) the victim—female (56.5%), aged one to 11 years old (66.7%) and lived with one of the parents (43.5%);2) the abuser—female (60.9%) in the 14 - 23 years old and 34 - 43 years old, with the same percentage (24.6%), history of alcohol use and abuse (42.0%), the mother was the one who attacked the most (34.7%);3) types of violence, among the physical ones, the most frequent were slaps (43.2%) and punches (18.9%);the prevalence, among the psychological violence, were curses (35.4%) and abuse (27.8%);negligence, omission of care (73.5%), deprivation of care for personal appearance (18.4%);among sexual violence: sexual caresses (57.1%) and forced sex (42.9%). Conclusion: Children and adolescents placed in an unfavorable social-economic context, under the care of mothers with a history of use and abuse of alcohol and other drugs, are more vulnerable to intra-domiciliary violence.

Sociodemographic Characteristics Related to Resistance to Breast Cancer Screening

Objective: To describe the sociodemographic characteristics of women related to resistance to breast cancer. Methods: Cross-sectional study, with a quantitative approach, whose research took place in the Basic Family Health Units of the municipality of Mossoró. The study included 362 women aged between 40 and 69 years. One used a validated questionnaire with questions divided into five blocks. The data were entered in a spreadsheet, transferred to the SPSS software, and subsequently coded to perform the analysis. The Research Ethics Committee of the State University of Rio Grande do Norte, in Opinion No. 356958, approved the project. Results: Black women were two times more likely to be resistant when compared to white women (OR = 2.01, 95% CI = 1.12 - 3.69;p = 0.018). Women who have studied up to primary school 122 (58.1%) were two times more likely to be resistant when compared to those 14 (6.7%) who studied up to higher education (OR = 2.69;95% CI = 1.31 - 5.48;p = 0.012). Women who had first-degree relatives with breast cancer 153 (72.9%) were three times more likely to be resistant. Conclusions: The findings show the need for investments in educational practices with a view to public awareness and professionals’ training to disseminate information regarding tests used in practice directed to women’s health.

Prevention of Pre-Eclampsia and Eclampsia. A Systematic Review

Every pregnant woman needs continuous, timely and supportive care throughout during pregnancy for safe motherhood. The objective of this study was to analyze and evaluate the available medications and techniques for the prevention and treatment of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia. The standard methodology of systematic review without meta-analysis was followed and only RCTs and systematic reviews were included in the review. Three electronic data sources (PubMed/Medline, CINAHL, and Cochrane) were searched for studies, published between 1986 and 2016 on the prevention and control of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia. 47 studies were finally included in the review, of which 18 were systematic reviews and 29 were RCTs. Technologies and techniques used in the included studies for the prevention and control of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia are Magnesium Sulphate, Aspirin, Antioxidant (Vitamin C, E and Lycopene), Calcium supplementation, Chinese Herbal Medicine, physical activities, Nitric Oxide, Marine Food Oils, Low Salt Diet, Garlic, Plasma Volume Expansion, Low-dose Dopamine, Progesterone, Smoking, and Diuretics. Magnesium sulfate appears to be the most effective treatment which reduces the risk of eclampsia by more than 50%. However, its best dose and route are still controversial and need further research. The knowledge and experience of nurses in properly using the protocols and evidence-based interventions are necessary for the wellbeing of pregnant women.

Effectiveness of BNT162b2 and CoronaVac vaccines against omicron in children aged 5 to 11 years

Background This study aimed to estimate vaccine effectiveness(VE)against omicron variant infection and severe corona virus disease 2019(COVID-19)in children aged 5–11 years hospitalized with acute respiratory syndrome.Methods A test-negative,case–control analysis was conducted from February 2022 to June 2022.We enrolled 6950 eligible children,including 1102 cases and 5848 controls.VE was calculated after immunization with one and two doses of BNT162b2 or CoronaVac.The outcomes were hospitalization with acute respiratory symptoms and detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)infection and severe COVID-19.The adjusted odds ratio for the association of prior vaccination and outcomes was used to estimate VE.Results For fully vaccinated children,the overall estimated VE against hospitalization with SARS-CoV-2 infection was 42%[95%confidence interval(CI)26 to 54].VE peaked at 29–42 days(67%,95%CI 40%to 82%)and then declined to 19%(95%CI,−20%to 45%)at 57–120 days after the second dose.The BNT162b2 vaccine had a similar VE against hospitalization with SARS-CoV-2 infection(45%,95%CI,20 to 61)compared to the CoronaVac vaccine(40%,95%CI,17%to 56%).Among cases,56(5%)children died;53(94.6%)were not fully vaccinated.For cases,the two-dose schedule effectiveness against ICU admission,need for invasive ventilation,severe illness,and death were 10%(95%CI,−54%–45%),22%(95%CI−70%–68%),12%(95%CI,−62%–52%),and 16%(95%CI,−77%–75%),respectively.Conclusions For hospitalized children aged 5–11 years during the omicron-predominant period in Brazil,two doses of both vaccines had moderate effectiveness against hospitalization with acute respiratory symptoms and SARS-CoV-2 infection and offered limited protection against endpoints of COVID-19 severity.