Publications by authors named "Natalia R Guimaraes"

poses a significant global health threat due to its multidrug-resistance and outbreak potential. In this study, we report its emergence in Minas Gerais, Brazil, supported by genomic surveillance that identified Clade-IV isolates, suggested a potential introduction from Colombia, and detected a missense mutation associated with azole resistance.

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This study details a genomics-based approach for the early detection of mosquito-borne pathogens, marked by Uruguay's first ever complete genomic sequencing of Dengue Virus type I genotypes I and V. This pioneering effort has facilitated the prompt identification of these genotypes within the country, enabling Uruguayan public health authorities to develop timely and effective response strategies. Further integrated into this approach is a climate-driven suitability measure, closely associated with Dengue case reports and indicative of the local climate's role in the virus's transmission in the country within the changing climate context.

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  • - A 7-year-old child developed dengue symptoms after receiving the Qdenga vaccine, with initial tests showing negative results but later confirming a DENV4 infection.
  • - Advanced sequencing techniques revealed the presence of viral RNA from both DENV2 and DENV4, identified as strains derived from the vaccine rather than wild-type viruses.
  • - This case highlights the importance of accurate diagnostic practices in vaccinated individuals, emphasizing the need for better understanding of vaccine-induced viremia to enhance dengue surveillance and public health strategies.
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  • - Brazil experienced significant COVID-19 impact, highlighted by high death tolls and four main peaks of cases, with the last two waves driven by the emergence of the Omicron variant and its sublineages BA.1, BA.2, BA.4, and BA.5.
  • - A study analyzed virus samples from 15 health units in Minas Gerais, revealing that BA.1 and BA.2 were most common in the third wave, while BA.4 and BA.5 dominated the fourth.
  • - Findings indicate that vaccination, especially booster doses, played a crucial role in reducing deaths, and the study confirmed the introduction of Omicron subvariants through multiple international cases with continued local transmission.
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Acute febrile illness (AFI) and severe neurological disorders (SNDs) often present diagnostic challenges due to their potential origins from a wide range of infectious agents. Nanopore metagenomics is emerging as a powerful tool for identifying the microorganisms potentially responsible for these undiagnosed clinical cases. In this study, we aim to shed light on the etiological agents underlying AFI and SND cases that conventional diagnostic methods have not been able to fully elucidate.

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The Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) presents global health challenges, with Brazil experiencing outbreaks since its introduction in 2014. In 2023, following a CHIKV outbreak in Minas Gerais (MG), social media was used to optimize an entomological survey aimed at identifying vectors and viral lineages and assessing insecticide resistance. Following Instagram posts, residents with suspected CHIKV infection were able to schedule mosquito aspirations.

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Unlabelled: The monkeypox virus (MPXV) outbreak, primarily endemic to Africa, has spread globally, with Brazil reporting the second-highest number of cases. The emergence of MPXV in non-endemic areas has raised concerns, particularly due to the co-circulation of other exanthematous viruses such as varicella-zoster virus (VZV) and molluscum contagiosum virus (MOCV). To perform an accurate differential diagnosis of MPXV during the ongoing outbreak in Minas Gerais, Brazil, a 5PLEX qPCR assay targeting orthopoxviruses (OPV), VZV, and MOCV was used to retrospectively analyze all clinical samples that tested negative for MPXV in the initial screening conducted at Funed.

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This report provides a detailed overview of the resurgence of DENV-3 in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, which is a concerning scenario in the context of dengue, a mosquito-borne viral disease. Historically, Brazil has grappled with dengue epidemics caused primarily by the DENV-1 and DENV-2 serotypes. However, in 2023, a significant shift in this pattern was observed as DENV-3 made a notable resurgence.

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  • - Uruguay reported its first outbreak of the Chikungunya virus in 2023, which placed a heavy strain on the healthcare system.
  • - Researchers analyzed data from 30 new whole genomes to understand how the virus is transmitting locally and the ecological factors influencing its spread.
  • - The study aimed to provide quick insights into the outbreak to help manage and control its impact within the country.
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  • - Paraguay is facing a significant monkeypox outbreak that is challenging its healthcare system, highlighting the need for better understanding and management of the virus.
  • - A collaboration was formed with the Central Public Health Laboratory of Asunción and the Pan-American Health Organization to analyze the monkeypox virus strains, leading to the first 30 complete genome sequences from Paraguay, all identified as lineage IIb.
  • - The research indicates that the initial introduction of monkeypox to Paraguay in early 2022 came from Brazil, with subsequent spread due to multiple independent introductions, underscoring the importance of enhanced surveillance at international borders to prevent future outbreaks.
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We report the first whole-genome sequences of Dengue Virus type I genotypes I and V from Uruguay, including the first cases ever reported in the country. Through timely genomic analysis, identification of these genotypes was possible, aiding in timely public health responses and intervention strategies to mitigate the impact of dengue outbreaks.

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  • * Researchers utilized phylogenetic and epidemiological models to map YFV transmission patterns over different epidemic seasons and identified areas of high infection risk linked to low vaccination rates in major urban centers.
  • * By analyzing the genomic data, the study revealed three distinct YFV lineages and demonstrated the connectivity between the endemic North and the extra-Amazonian region, suggesting that genomics combined with eco-epidemiology can enhance understanding and strategies for controlling the virus.
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  • Uruguay had its first Chikungunya virus outbreak in 2023, which put a lot of stress on its healthcare system.
  • Researchers analyzed 30 new whole genomes through real-time genomic surveillance.
  • The study aimed to provide insights into how the virus spread locally and the environmental factors contributing to its emergence.
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  • The COVID-19 pandemic and new variants of SARS-CoV-2 have significant global health impacts, highlighting the need for effective monitoring strategies.
  • This study investigates the use of high-resolution melting (HRM) analysis paired with one-step real-time reverse transcription PCR as a rapid method to detect SARS-CoV-2 mutations that may affect interactions with hosts.
  • HRM analysis successfully distinguished various SARS-CoV-2 variants and shows promise for enhancing genomic surveillance, allowing for more targeted and timely whole genome sequencing of new strains.
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  • - A study analyzed 34 monkeypox virus genomes from patients in Minas Gerais, Brazil, which showed that the virus was initially imported in early June 2022.
  • - After the importation, the virus began spreading within the community in the state.
  • - All analyzed genomes were part of the B.1 lineage linked to a global outbreak of mpox, providing crucial information for public health responses.
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  • The Gamma variant of COVID-19, first identified in Brazil, has been linked to higher infection rates, hospitalizations, and fatalities, especially during a surge in Minas Gerais in March-April 2021.
  • A surveillance study analyzed 1,240 COVID-19-positive samples across 305 municipalities, finding that Gamma was the most prevalent variant (71.2%), followed by Zeta (12.4%) and Alpha (9.6%).
  • The study emphasizes the necessity of vaccination to mitigate severe cases and deaths, noting no significant mortality differences among the different variants identified.
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The biological activity of antimicrobial peptides and proteins is closely related to their structural aspects and is sensitive to certain post-translational modifications such as glycosylation, lipidation and PEGylation. However, PEGylation of protein and peptide drugs has expanded in recent years due to the reduction of their toxicity. Due to their size, the PEGylation process can either preserve or compromise the overall structure of these biopolymers and their biological properties.

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  • The study investigates the spread of the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 in Minas Gerais, Brazil, highlighting its introduction and dominance, which reached 70% of cases within 8 weeks during mid 2021.
  • Using PCR genotyping and genome sequencing, it is shown that Delta is more transmissible than the earlier Gamma variant, but this increase in transmissibility did not lead to a rise in cases or deaths, likely due to vaccination efforts.
  • The research also identifies Rio de Janeiro as the primary source for the Delta variant's spread in Minas Gerais, suggesting effective control measures despite the heightened transmissibility of the variant.
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  • Brazil has experienced high COVID-19 cases and deaths, making Latin America a major pandemic epicenter, with early sustained virus transmission and ongoing gaps in understanding.
  • Researchers analyzed over 17,000 near-complete SARS-CoV-2 genomes from across Brazil and Paraguay, finding multiple viral lineages predominantly imported from Europe before local transmission clusters emerged after November 2020.
  • Effective genomic surveillance has been crucial in tracking the real-time spread of significant variants, such as Gamma (P.1) and Zeta (P.2), and understanding cross-border virus movement into Paraguay.
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  • - Brazil became a major COVID-19 epicenter in Latin America by May 2021, experiencing high transmission rates and deaths, but gaps remain in understanding how the virus spreads nationally.
  • - The study analyzes nearly complete SARS-CoV-2 genomes from Brazil and Paraguay, revealing that the initial wave was marked by multiple imported viral lineages mainly from Europe, leading to significant local transmission clusters.
  • - As the pandemic progressed without effective restrictions, Brazil saw the emergence and spread of concerning variants like Gamma and Zeta, highlighting the need for extensive genomic surveillance in South America for better pandemic management and public health strategies.
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Wastewater reuse has been widely discussed as an essential strategy to minimize the consumption of drinking water for less noble purposes. During biological wastewater treatment, organic matter is converted into a complex matrix containing a variety of soluble organic compounds. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the removal efficiency of the residual organic load in the final effluent from wastewater treatment plant with a conventional activated sludge process by different coagulants and parameters of coagulation-flocculation process, using dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration, molecular weight (MW) size distribution by size exclusion chromatography (SEC) coupled to mass spectrometry (MS), and zeta potential (ZP) analyses.

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Aerobic granular sludge (AGS) has been considered a breakthrough in the wastewater treatment sector given its key characteristics, such as excellent settleability, simultaneous removal of organic and nutrient pollutants, and compactness. However, the formation of granules often delays the start-up of granular-based systems, especially in large-scale settings. This study addressed the start-up of a pilot-scale AGS sequencing batch reactor (SBR) treating domestic sewage, monitored for over 280 days.

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The antimicrobial resistance (AMR) crisis urgently requires countermeasures for reducing the dissemination of plasmid-borne resistance genes. Of particular concern are opportunistic pathogens of . One innovative approach is the CRISPR-Cas9 system which has recently been used for plasmid curing in defined strains of .

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Objectives: The polymerization of adhesive systems is incomplete and the residual monomers that have been released have a cytotoxic capacity. Some teeth develop into pulp necrosis after composite resin restorations. Considering frequent pulpal inflammation in response to cariogenic bacteria, substances released from the patches could affect the cells of the inflammatory infiltrate and interfere with the mechanisms of defense against microorganisms and protection of pulpal tissue.

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