Mask mandate and use efficacy for COVID-19 containment in US States

Background: COVID-19 pandemic mitigation requires evidence-based strategies. Because COVID-19 can spread via respired droplets, most US states mandated mask use in public settings. Randomized control trials have not clearly demonstrated mask efficacy against respiratory viruses, and observational studies conflict on whether mask use predicts lower infection rates. We hypothesized that statewide mask mandates and mask use were associated with lower COVID-19 case growth rates in the United States. Methods: We calculated total COVID-19 case growth and mask use for the continental United States with data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation. We estimated post-mask mandate case growth in non-mandate states using median issuance dates of neighboring states with mandates. Results: Earlier mask mandates were not associated with lower total cases or lower maximum growth rates. Earlier mandates were weakly associated with lower minimum COVID-19 growth rates. Mask use predicted lower minimum but not lower maximum growth rates. Growth rates and total growth were comparable between US states in the first and last mask use quintiles during the Fall-Winter wave. These observations persisted for both natural logarithmic and fold growth models and when adjusting for differences in US state population density. Conclusions: We did not observe association between mask mandates or use and reduced COVID-19 spread in US states. COVID-19 mitigation requires further research and use of existing efficacious strategies, most notably vaccination.

Vaccinal Coverage of the Viral Triple in Cases of Measles in the Period 2016 to 2019 in Brazil

Objectives: Describe vaccination coverage and measles incidence in Brazil from 2016 to 2019. Methods: Quantitative, descriptive and retrospective study of confirmed cases of measles and vaccination coverage in the last 04 years, in the regions of Brazil. The data were exported from epidemiological bulletins from all regions, made available by the Ministry of Health and State Health Secretariats. Immunization data were collected using Tabnet/DATASUS, and organized in Microsoft Office Excel® (2019). Results: During 2016-2017, Brazil did not report confirmed measles cases. In 2018, 10,322 cases were recorded, with a prevalence of 10.245 (99.25%) in the North, followed by the South 46 (0.44%) and Southeast 23 (0.22%). In 2019, 20,901 cases were recorded, with the Southeast region having the highest incidence, 18.426 (88.15%), followed by the South region with 1.468 (7.02%). Between 2016-2019, the vaccination average was 84.05%. In this period, the North region reached the lowest coverage, 75.79%, followed by the Northeast region, 80.31%. In 2018, the highest incidence of cases was observed in the North region, due to the lower vaccination coverage obtained in the last 4 years. In 2019, the majority of cases were in the Southeast region, because despite the satisfactory vaccination coverage, the disease spreads more easily in large urban centers. Conclusion: Despite the increase in vaccination campaigns, Brazil has not reached the minimum number of vaccinations, in the last 4 years, to obtain herd immunity, increasing the manifestation of the disease in the last 2 years.

Cases of sexual diseases with alpha-emitting nanoparticulates : Parkinson’s, Primary Biliary Cholangitis (prostate and clitoris) – and opening the breast implant debate

These diseases can be called sexual diseases thanks to retro-analysis of the global process of development and degenerescence and combination of the author’s earlier works with research of other authors that demonstrate in new ways the argument. Cultures that encourage sexual repression produce diseases mechanically and exogeneous factors of internal contamination with alpha emitters demultiplicate the effects spilling from these cultural choices. It is possible that researchers investigating Parkinson’s have already years ago understood the link with alpha decay and “flagged” it but because they thought that Parkinson patients indeed due to their full responsivity in depriving their own prostate whereas homosexuality shows how stimulating it creates well-known powerful orgasms, had to suffer, and went not beyond the allegory of alpha emitting nanoparticulates in their articles (which is why this is called “flagging” – “signaling”).

Behind transgender identities – the biophysics & the societal deficits creating the phenomenon

Transgender identities, with or without surgical changes are produced by individual decisions which resonate nevertheless with a series of information deficits and also spill from the biophysical effects of artificial sources of contamination. Findings from other researchers and the author’s experience are brought together to prove the point.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PHYSICAL ACTIVITY LEVELS AND SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS ON THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF MORBID OBESE CANDIDATES FOR BARIATRIC SURGE

Objective: To investigate the relationship between perception of quality of life, levels of physical activity and socioeconomic status of morbidly obese candidates for bariatric surgery, registered in the outpatient clinic of HC/UFPE/EBSERH. Methods: Cross-sectional observational research conducted with sixty-two morbidly obese individuals candidates for bariatric surgery with age=39,53±10,72 years and BMI=50,05±9,26 kg/m², where they were interviewed using the IPAQ, SF-36 and ABEP questionnaires. Spearman’s correlation was used to correlate continuous variables and differences between groups were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test. Results: The Physical Functioning domain had a significantly higher score (p=0,01) for the level of Moderate physical activity (61,05±25,03; n=19) compared to the Low level (40,83±23,20; n=30); the Role-Physical domain had a significantly higher score (p=0,029) for the level of High physical activity (65,38±36,14; n=13) compared to those of Low level (35,83±35,77; n=30). Individuals of socioeconomic status B (n=17) had scores significantly higher than individuals of status C (n=45) in the Physical Functioning [X² (1) = 4,800; p <0.05], General Health [X² (1) = 11.568; p <0.01], Vitality [X² (1) = 7.278; p <0.01], Social Functioning [X² (1) = 4.086; p <0.05], Role-Emotional [X² (1) = 6.467; p <0.05] and Mental Health [X² (1) = 7.055; p <0.01] domains. Conclusion: Morbidly obese candidates for bariatric surgery with low levels of physical activity have lower scores on physical components of quality of life and when framed in a lower socioeconomic status they report lower scores on physical and mental components of quality of life.

Monitoring Parasitic Contamination of the Beaches Sand and Public Squares of Northeast Brazil: a Comparative Approach

This work aims to evaluate the parasite presence in the sand of two squares and beaches/parks in the metropolitan region of Recife-PE and João Pessoa-PB, to compare the frequencies of the main parasitological species in these locations. The samples were collected in 2014 from three different depths of the soil (surface, 10 cm, and 20 cm), obtaining 96 samples from the metropolitan regions of Recife-PE and 48 samples from João Pessoa-PB. In Recife were detected a high number of positive samples from beaches (70.8%) and squares (25.7%) compared to João Pessoa, which reached 45.8% and 25%, respectively. Twelve parasite species were identified, distributed predominantly in the samples collected in 10 and 20 cm. In Pernambuco, the species Giardia lamblia, Cryptosporidium spp., and Endolimax nana were the most recurrent on the beaches, while Toxocara sp. and Iodamoeba butschilii were more frequent in the parks. In the Paraíba were identified only Cryptosporidium spp. and Entamoeba histolytica/E. dispar on the beaches. While Ancylostoma sp., Cryptosporidium spp, and Entamoeba histolytica/E. dispar were the most recurrent in the Paraíba squares. This study highlights the contamination of parasites in public environments (squares/beaches) to alert the need for actions aimed at combating parasites in these places.

Overview on Physical Violence Against Women Between 2009 and 2018 in Brazil

Objectives: To determine the existence of a pattern of women most frequently victims of physical violence in Brazil over a period of 10 years. Methods: Data from the DATASUS platform were collected on the records of domestic, sexual and other violence, registered by physical violence against female persons between 2009 and 2018. Data from the Violence and Accident Surveillance System on characteristics of the violent act against women were also collected. The Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics was also used to collect data from the National Household Sample Survey (PNAD). For bibliographic reference, the descriptors “Domestic and Sexual Violence against Women”, “Domestic Violence” and “Domestic Violence” were searched on virtual data basis and Brazilian articles that were published within the period of the present study were included. Results: There is a continuous and rapid increase in the first half of the study period, with a slight deceleration between 2014 and 2016, followed by a new jump in records from 2017. As for race, the largest numbers are white women, 348428, and browns, 308902. Black women represent 68.25% of the total records of domestic, sexual and other violence, with 8.3% of the total records of physical violence. Conclusion: It is possible to estimate that black women are not making complaints or possibly are not being seen with due care to make them. As it is data that depends on denunciation, which is often not carried out, the results need consideration regarding assertiveness and reflection of reality.

Airborne Fungi in Library Environment and Human Health Risks

Objetive: This review aims to approach the impact that airborne fungi have in collections, mainly in libraries, and also their impact in the health of the people who works and visiting there. Methodology: The search was made with the most recent papers, with free access in online databases: Pubmed (National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes), Lilacs (Latin-American and Caribbean Literature in Health Science, acronym in Spanish) and Scielo (Scientific Electronic Library Online), by using key words related with the proposed theme. Results: Libraries have substrates and residuals that allow the presence and proliferation of airborne fungi. These fungi are biodeteriorators that attack the collections but also can cause respiratory diseases, mycoses, or even systemic diseases. The most common genera are Aspergillus, Penicillium, Cladosporium, Alternaria, Acremonium and Fusarium. These fungi have asexual reproduction by producing tiny dry spores that can remain viable by long periods on the air and can also be transported on it. Preserve collections demands control of air temperature and humidity, to inhibit the airborne fungi proliferation and thus, decreasing the risks to human health. Conclusion: The knowledge about airborne fungi as contaminants in libraries environment it is of utmost importance for the development of preventive actions for preservation of the collections and also for the health of people who works in or visit them.

Indigenous Suffering: Panorama of the Pandemic in the Pernambucan Community

Objectives: To present the current panorama of the distribution of cases of COVID-19 among the indigenous population in the state of Pernambuco. Methods: This is a retrospective study conducted on secondary electronic databases in the public domain, reflecting the exemption of appreciation by the Ethics Committee. The database consulted was of the Center for Strategic Information on Health Surveillance (CIEVS) in the State of Pernambuco. The reference period for collection was from April 1st to October 2nd, 2020. Epidemiological bulletins and virtual monitoring reports, available on the CIEVS website, were analyzed. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistical techniques based on obtaining absolute and percentage frequencies. Results: According to the last Census, Pernambuco corresponds to the 4th state with the largest self-declared indigenous population (53,284 people), with twelve ethnic groups spread across the statte territory. Related to the distribution of cases of infection by COVID-19, a data from the last Bulletin (No. 215/2020) indicated that among the most affected indigenous ethnic groups with confirmed cases, Funi-Ô stands out with 214 confirmed cases and five deaths while the Xucuru group had 110 confirmed cases and one registered death. Conclusion: The results showed that the CODIV-19 pandemic is a serious Public Health problem among the indigenous popultion of the state of Pernambuco. Thus, the responsibility of the state health management to define strategies that minimize the transmission of the disease in the indigenous population is reinforced, together with the development of health promotion and prevention and infection control actions.

The Challenges of The Multiprofessional Team in Facing Covid-19: a Literature Review

Objectives: to review in the literature the role and challenges of the multidisciplinary team in confronting Covid-19 and to collaborate to improve health approaches. Methods: this is an integrative literature review, carried out from July to August 2020. The data collection took place between the years 2019 to 2020, in the electronic databases PubMed and VHL (Virtual Health Library), through of the descriptors “multidisciplinary team at Covid-19”, present in the DeCS (Health Sciences Descriptors), in Portuguese and English. Results: After collecting the data, 112 (BVS = 109; PubMed = 03) scientific articles were identified, of which 100 (review = 10, duplicates = 8, outside the theme = 82) were excluded, resulting in 12 research eligible for the final sample and discussion of this work. Among the main approaches discussed, remote classes, professional training, the creation of team service protocols, the use of technology as a way to reduce the risk of contagion and optimize therapeutic approaches, disposition and guidance on the correct use of personal protective equipment and psychosocial support for health professionals, due to physical and emotional overload during the pandemic. Conclusion: Therefore, it is clear that the pandemic due to the new coronavirus poses great challenges to the entire social situation. Until then, the extent of its effects on the world population is immeasurable. Thus, it is highlighted that the integration of health professionals is considered the foundation and the most important strategy for facing Covid-19.