Mental health outcomes in frontline healthcare workers in Brazil during the COVID-19 epidemic: Results of an online survey in four regions using respondent-driven sampling (RDS).

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic overwhelmed health facilities and presented healthcare workers (HCWs) with a new infectious disease threat. In addition to a sanitary crisis, Brazil still had to face major political, economic, and social challenges. This study aimed to investigate mental health outcomes in frontline HCWs in different regions of the country and at different epidemic times.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of frontline healthcare workers in a highly affected region in Brazil.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic had a major impact on the mental health of healthcare workers (HCWs), especially in low and middle-income countries, which had to face additional political, social, and economic challenges. We thus aimed to assess the prevalence of mental health outcomes and the associated factors in HCWs treating COVID-19 patients in one of the most affected regions in Brazil.

Methods: We used the Respondent-Driven Sampling method to assess the risks of COVID-19 infection and symptoms of mental disorders in nurses, nursing technicians, and physicians who worked on the frontline in the metropolitan region of Recife.

Modeling the impact of child vaccination (5-11 y) on overall COVID-19 related hospitalizations and mortality in a context of omicron variant predominance and different vaccination coverage paces in Brazil.

Background: Developing countries have experienced significant COVID-19 disease burden. With the emergence of new variants, particularly omicron, the disease burden in children has increased. When the first COVID-19 vaccine was approved for use in children aged 5-11 years of age, very few countries recommended vaccination due to limited risk-benefit evidence for vaccination of this population.

Modelling the impact of school reopening and contact tracing strategies on Covid-19 dynamics in different epidemiologic settings in Brazil.

We simulate the impact of school reopening during the COVID-19 pandemic in three major urban centers in Brazil to identify the epidemiological indicators and the best timing for the return of in-school activities and the effect of contact tracing as a mitigation measure. Our goal is to offer guidelines for evidence-based policymaking. We implement an extended SEIR model stratified by age and considering contact networks in different settings - school, home, work, and community, in which the infection transmission rate is affected by various intervention measures.

Modelling optimal vaccination strategies against COVID-19 in a context of Gamma variant predominance in Brazil.

Introduction: Brazil experienced moments of collapse in its health system throughout 2021, driven by the emergence of variants of concern (VOC) combined with an inefficient initial vaccination strategy against Covid-19.

Objectives: To support decision-makers in formulating COVID-19 immunization policy in the context of limited vaccine availability and evolving variants over time, we evaluate optimal strategies for Covid-19 vaccination in Brazil in 2021, when vaccination was rolled out during Gamma variant predominance.

Methods: Using a discrete-time epidemic model we estimate Covid-19 deaths averted, considering the currently Covid-19 vaccine products and doses available in Brazil; vaccine coverage by target population; and vaccine effectiveness estimates.

Global patterns of prescription pain medication usage in disorders of gut-brain interactions.

Background: Forty percent of individuals globally meet Rome IV criteria for a disorder of gut-brain interaction (DGBI). The global burden of pain across these disorders has not been characterized.

Methods: Our study included 54,127 respondents from the 26 Internet survey countries.

Association between diet quality index and cardiometabolic risk factors in adolescents: Study of Cardiovascular Risks in Adolescents (ERICA).

Objective: This study evaluated the association between diet quality, assessed by the Diet Quality Index for Adolescents adapted for Brazilians (DQIA-BR), and cardiometabolic markers in adolescents.

Methods: The DQIA-BR and cardiometabolic markers were assessed in 36 956 Brazilian adolescents (12-17 y old) enrolled in the Study of Cardiovascular Risks in Adolescents (ERICA), a national school-based cross-sectional multicenter study in Brazil. For analyses, the sample was stratified by sex and nutritional status.

Validation of the WHOQOL-Bref instrument in Brazilian sign language (Libras).

Purpose: The recognition of the Brazilian Sign Language (Libras) as the official language of the Brazilian deaf, in 2002, reaffirms the linguistic and cultural particularities of the deaf population. Therefore, there is a lack of a validated instrument for assessing the Quality of Life of deaf people using Libras. With authorization from the World Health Organization (WHO), a version of the WHOQOL-Bref in Libras was developed, called WHOQOL-Bref/Libras.

Making Decisions and Motor Actions with Technical Biomechanical Classifications in Male Judo Weight Categories.

The aim of the study was to compare motor action variables of judo combat phases and technical biomechanical assessment of the seven weight categories. The sample was composed of 638 bouts (176 of extra lightweight <66 kg, 289 of half lightweight 66 > 73 kg, 180 of lightweight 73 > 81 kg, 244 of half middleweight 81 > 90 kg, 174 of middleweight 81 > 90 kg, 151 of half heavyweight 90 > 100 kg and 142 of heavyweight >100 kg) during motor actions of approach, gripping, attack, defense and groundwork combat phases, verifying the interactions between them by Markov chains and comparisons by Kruskall-Wallis and Dunn post hoc tests (p ≤ .05).

Performance of the Gail and Tyrer-Cuzick breast cancer risk assessment models in women screened in a primary care setting with the FHS-7 questionnaire.

Breast cancer (BC) risk assessment models base their estimations on different aspects of a woman's personal and familial history. The Gail and Tyrer-Cuzick models are the most commonly used, and BC risks assigned by them vary considerably especially concerning familial history. In this study, our aim was to compare the Gail and Tyrer-Cuzick models after initial screening for familial history of cancer in primary care using the FHS-7 questionnaire.

Diet quality index for Brazilian adolescents: the ERICA study.

This study aimed to assess the dietary patterns of adolescents using a food-based diet quality index and their compliance with a healthy dietary guideline METHODS: Participants included 71,553 Brazilian adolescents (12-17 years old) from the Study of Cardiovascular Risks in Adolescents (ERICA), a cross-sectional school-based multicenter study.. Dietary intake was measured by one 24-h recall.

Subjects' Perception in Quantifying Printed and Digital Photos of Food Portions.

Although digital photos have the potential to improve the precision of reported portions in dietary assessment, there are few studies investigating its accuracy in comparison to printed photos. The aim of this study was to evaluate the perception of adults in quantifying food portion sizes using printed and digital photos, displayed on computer-screens and tablets. In total, 1165 evaluations were performed for 60 photos of portion sizes in Brazil.

Suggestions for Judo Training with Pacing Strategy and Decision Making by Judo Championship Phases.

The present study aimed to compare pacing and decision making of athletes competing in judo, with particular attention paid to effort-pause ratios occurring in the championship phases of the Olympic Games and non-Olympic Games. The sample was composed of 53,403 sequential actions analyzed during 611 performances of the non-Olympic Games (eliminatory n = 330, quarterfinals n = 60, semi-final n = 88, repechage n = 21, third place playoff n = 26, and final n = 79) and 163 from the Olympic Games (eliminatory n = 71, quarterfinals n = 13, semi-final n = 26, repechage n = 20, third place playoff n = 24, and final n = 14). The analysis of effort-pause ratios included separating bouts into states of approach, gripping, attack, groundwork and pause, according to frequency and time.

Effect of Diacerein on Metabolic Control and Inflammatory Markers in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Using Antidiabetic Agents: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Introduction: Studies have shown that T2DM is an inflammatory disease. Thus, the present study was aimed at evaluating whether diacerein could improve the metabolic and inflammatory profile among patients with T2DM under long-term treatment with glucose-lowering agents.

Methods: This is a double-blind, parallel, placebo-controlled trial with 72 participants randomly assigned to diacerein 50 mg or placebo for 12 weeks.

Electronic Version of the EQ-5D Quality-of-Life Questionnaire: Adaptation to a Brazilian Population Sample.

Objectives: To assess the measurement equivalence of the original paper version of an adapted tablet version of the EuroQol five-dimensional questionnaire (EQ-5D).

Methods: A randomly selected sample of 509 individuals aged 18 to 64 years from the general population responded to the EQ-5D at two time points separated by a minimum interval of 24 hours and were allocated to one of the following groups: test-retest group (tablet-tablet) or crossover group (paper-tablet and tablet-paper). Agreement between methods was determined using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and the κ coefficient.

The progression rate of spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 changes with stage of disease.

Background: Spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2) affects several neurological structures, giving rise to multiple symptoms. However, only the natural history of ataxia is well known, as measured during the study duration. We aimed to describe the progression rate of ataxia, by the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA), as well as the progression rate of the overall neurological picture, by the Neurological Examination Score for Spinocerebellar Ataxias (NESSCA), and not only during the study duration but also in a disease duration model.

Cancer in Machado-Joseph disease patients-low frequency as a cause of death.

Since polyglutamine diseases have been related to a reduced risk of cancer, we aimed to study the 15 years cumulative incidence of cancer (CIC) (arm 1) and the proportion of cancer as a cause of death (arm 2) in symptomatic carriers of spinocerebellar ataxia type 3/Machado-Joseph disease (SCA3/MJD). SCA3/MJD and control individuals from our state were invited to participate. A structured interview was performed.

Contextual and individual factors associated with dissatisfaction with the Brazilian Unified National Health System, 2011-2012.

User satisfaction is known to be related to quality of healthcare. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of contextual and individual factors associated with user dissatisfaction with the Brazilian Unified National Health System (SUS). This was a cross-sectional multilevel study.

Comparison of the ISU, NCI, MSM, and SPADE Methods for Estimating Usual Intake: A Simulation Study of Nutrients Consumed Daily.

Various methods are available for estimating usual dietary intake distributions. Hence, there is a need for simulation studies to compare them. The methods Iowa State University (ISU), National Cancer Institute (NCI), Multiple Source Method (MSM) and Statistical Program to Assess Dietary Exposure (SPADE) were previously compared in another study, but some results were inconclusive due to the small number of replications used in the simulation.

Comparisons: Technical-Tactical and Time-Motion Analysis of Mixed Martial Arts by Outcomes.

Miarka, B, Vecchio, FBD, Camey, S, and Amtmann, JA. Comparisons: technical-tactical and time-motion analysis of mixed martial arts by outcomes. J Strength Cond Res 30(7): 1975-1984, 2016-The aim of this study was to compare time-motion and technical-tactical analysis between paired outcomes and rounds of mixed martial arts (MMA) matches.

Brazilian Valuation of EQ-5D-3L Health States: Results from a Saturation Study.

Background: Most EQ-5D-3L valuation studies include the same sample of health states that was used in the protocol of the original UK Measurement and Valuation of Health (MVH) study. Thus far, no studies using a time tradeoff utility elicitation method have been carried out using all 243 EQ-5D health states. Because the values and preferences regarding health outcomes differ among countries, it is essential to have country-specific data to enable local high-level decisions regarding resource allocation.

Planning future clinical trials in Machado Joseph disease: Lessons from a phase 2 trial.

Background: In a recent phase 2 clinical trial in spinocerebellar ataxia type 3/Machado Joseph disease (SCA3/MJD), a neurogenetic disorder without specific therapy, benefits of lithium carbonate were found only on secondary efficacy outcomes, all related to ataxic features. In order to help designing future studies, we further analyzed the trial data searching for treatment response modifiers and metric properties of spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) scales.

Methods: Efficacy analysis was performed with the Neurological Examination Score for the Assessment of Spinocerebellar Ataxia (NESSCA) and the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA) subscores and with the subgroup of patients with independent gait according to the 8-meter walking-time (8MW).