Oswaldo Cruz Foundation

About: Oswaldo Cruz Foundation is a facility organization based out in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Trypanosoma cruzi. The organization has 18673 authors who have published 36752 publications receiving 802378 citations. The organization is also known as: Fundação Oswaldo Cruz & FIOCRUZ.

Adherence to antiretroviral therapy for human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome among drug users: a systematic review

Abstract: Aims Adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is a key predictor of survival for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected people. Suboptimal adherence among marginalized populations such as HIV-positive drug users could be associated with clinical failure and the emergence of viral resistance. Objective To conduct a systematic review of studies assessing adherence to HAART among HIV-positive drug users (DU) and identify factors associated with non-adherence to HIV treatment. Data sources Seven electronic databases were searched for peerreviewed papers published in English, French, Spanish or Portuguese, from 1996 to 2007. Study selection and data abstraction Studies were excluded if they presented only qualitative data, were reviews themselves or assessed other populations without disaggregating data on DU. Findings on adherence were extracted and summarized. Data synthesis Forty-one studies were considered, which studied a total of 15 194 patients, the majority of whom were HIV-positive DU (n = 11 628, 76.5%). Twenty-two studies assessed adherence using patient self-reports, eight used pharmacy records, three used electronic monitoring [i.e. Medication Event Monitoring Systems (MEMS) caps], six studies used a combination of patient self-report, clinical data and MEMS-caps, and two analyzed secondary data. Overall, active substance use was associated with poor adherence, as well as depression and low social support. Higher adherence was found in patents receiving care in structured settings (e.g. directly observed therapy) and/or drug addiction treatment (especially substitution therapy). Conclusion While lower than other populations—especially among users of stimulants, incarcerated DU and patients with psychiatric comorbidities—adherence to HAART among HIV-positive DU can be achieved. Better adherence was identified among those engaged in comprehensive services providing HIV and addiction treatment with psychosocial support.

Genomic and epidemiological monitoring of yellow fever virus transmission potential

Abstract: The yellow fever virus (YFV) epidemic in Brazil is the largest in decades. The recent discovery of YFV in Brazilian Aedes species mosquitos highlights a need to monitor the risk of reestablishment of urban YFV transmission in the Americas. We use a suite of epidemiological, spatial, and genomic approaches to characterize YFV transmission. We show that the age and sex distribution of human cases is characteristic of sylvatic transmission. Analysis of YFV cases combined with genomes generated locally reveals an early phase of sylvatic YFV transmission and spatial expansion toward previously YFV-free areas, followed by a rise in viral spillover to humans in late 2016. Our results establish a framework for monitoring YFV transmission in real time that will contribute to a global strategy to eliminate future YFV epidemics.

Reference Genes for Accurate Transcript Normalization in Citrus Genotypes under Different Experimental Conditions

Abstract: Real-time reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) has emerged as an accurate and widely used technique for expression profiling of selected genes. However, obtaining reliable measurements depends on the selection of appropriate reference genes for gene expression normalization. The aim of this work was to assess the expression stability of 15 candidate genes to determine which set of reference genes is best suited for transcript normalization in citrus in different tissues and organs and leaves challenged with five pathogens (Alternaria alternata, Phytophthora parasitica, Xylella fastidiosa and Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus). We tested traditional genes used for transcript normalization in citrus and orthologs of Arabidopsis thaliana genes described as superior reference genes based on transcriptome data. geNorm and NormFinder algorithms were used to find the best reference genes to normalize all samples and conditions tested. Additionally, each biotic stress was individually analyzed by geNorm. In general, FBOX (encoding a member of the F-box family) and GAPC2 (GAPDH) was the most stable candidate gene set assessed under the different conditions and subsets tested, while CYP (cyclophilin), TUB (tubulin) and CtP (cathepsin) were the least stably expressed genes found. Validation of the best suitable reference genes for normalizing the expression level of the WRKY70 transcription factor in leaves infected with Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus showed that arbitrary use of reference genes without previous testing could lead to misinterpretation of data. Our results revealed FBOX, SAND (a SAND family protein), GAPC2 and UPL7 (ubiquitin protein ligase 7) to be superior reference genes, and we recommend their use in studies of gene expression in citrus species and relatives. This work constitutes the first systematic analysis for the selection of superior reference genes for transcript normalization in different citrus organs and under biotic stress.

Paracoccidioidomycosis mortality in Brazil (1980-1995)

Abstract: This study analyzes 3,181 deaths from paracoccidioidomycosis in Brazil, based on 16 years of sequential data (from 1980 to 1995). During this period paracoccidioidomycosis showed considerable magnitude and low visibility, representing the eighth most common cause of death from predominantly chronic or recurrent types of infectious and parasitic diseases. It also had the highest mortality rate among the systemic mycoses. The mean annual mortality rate was 1.45 per million inhabitants, indicating a downward long-term trend (reduction of 31.28%), while spatial distribution among the different regions and States of Brazil was non-homogenous. The South (with the highest regional rate) and the Southeast showed a downward trend, while the Central West had the second highest rate in the country. At least one-fifth of Brazilian municipalities (or 22.71% of the country's total area) reported deaths from paracoccidioidomycosis. Overall nationwide mortality per area was 3.73/10,000km2. The disease was endemic in non-metropolitan areas. The majority of deaths occurred in males (84.75%), and there was a sex ratio of 562 men/100 women. The 30-59-year and over-60-year age groups were the most affected. The study showed that the mortality rate justifies classifying this disease as a major health problem in Brazil.

Os sete saberes necessários à educação do futuro

Abstract: Resenha de: Os sete saberes necessarios a educacao do futuro, por MORIN, Edgar. 12 ed. Sao Paulo: Cortez; Brasilia, DF: UNESCO, 2007. ISBN: 978-85-7014-048-7.