IntroductionThe use of anti-retroviral therapy (ART) has dramatically reduced HIV-1 associated morbidity and mortality. However, HIV-1 infected individuals have increased rates of morbidity and mortality compared to the non-HIV-1 infected population and this appears to be related to end-organ diseases collectively referred to as Serious Non-AIDS Events (SNAEs). Circulating miRNAs are reported as promising biomarkers for a number of human disease conditions including those that constitute SNAEs. Our study sought to investigate the potential of selected miRNAs in predicting mortality in HIV-1 infected ART treated individuals.Materials and MethodsA set of miRNAs was chosen based on published associations with human disease conditions that constitute SNAEs. This case: control study compared 126 cases (individuals who died whilst on therapy), and 247 matched controls (individuals who remained alive). Cases and controls were ART treated participants of two pivotal HIV-1 trials. The relative abundance of each miRNA in serum was measured, by RTqPCR. Associations with mortality (all-cause, cardiovascular and malignancy) were assessed by logistic regression analysis. Correlations between miRNAs and CD4+ T cell count, hs-CRP, IL-6 and D-dimer were also assessed.ResultsNone of the selected miRNAs was associated with all-cause, cardiovascular or malignancy mortality. The levels of three miRNAs (miRs -21, -122 and -200a) correlated with IL-6 while miR-21 also correlated with D-dimer. Additionally, the abundance of miRs -31, -150 and -223, correlated with baseline CD4+ T cell count while the same three miRNAs plus miR-145 correlated with nadir CD4+ T cell count.DiscussionNo associations with mortality were found with any circulating miRNA studied. These results cast doubt onto the effectiveness of circulating miRNA as early predictors of mortality or the major underlying diseases that contribute to mortality in participants treated for HIV-1 infection.

Brazil has a concentrated HIV epidemic among key populations. In 2009, the Ministry of Health conducted a survey in 10 Brazilian cities aiming to estimate HIV prevalence, knowledge, and associated risk behaviors of polysubstance users (PSU). Using Respondent Driven Sampling (RDS), 3449 PSU were recruited, answered an Audio-Computer Self Assisted Interview (ACASI) and were tested for HIV and syphilis. Analyses were weighted by individual's social network size generated on RDSAT. Pooled HIV prevalence was 5.8% but varied across cities. Most PSU were male, non-white, without income, unemployed, with low levels of education. Overall, 12.0% used injectable drugs, 48.7% had sex with occasional partners and 46.4% engaged in commercial sex. A majority received free condoms (71.4%) but 76.7% exhibited inconsistent condom use. Findings can support policies aiming to improve health care and preventive interventions tailored to this population that remains at high risk of acquiring and transmitting HIV/STI in multiple scenarios.

No abstract

Objective: To report alcohol consumption during the first month of social home-isolation and physical distancing measures during the COVID-19 pandemic in an public University in Mid-West Brazil. Methods: We designed an online observational study. Initial data of 2166 participants was obtained between April and May, 2020, less than a month after University’s measures of social distancing with remote work and classes. We used Poisson regression model with robust variance to identify the significant factors associated with self-reported increase in alcohol consumption during social and physical distancing measures. Results: Increased alcohol consumption during social and physical distancing was reported by 22.9% of 1371 alcohol drinkers. Factors associated with reporting increased alcoholic consumption during University’s physical and social distancing measures were: not professing any religion (1.52, 95% CI 1.25-1.83), having signs/symptom suggesting SARS-COV-2 infection (1.56, 95% CI 1.26-1.93), missing social interaction with peers carried out without any mediating technology (1.57, 95% CI 1.13-2.20), experiencing financial distress/hardship (1.25, 95% CI 1.02-1.54), perceiving duration of social isolation as long (1.62, 95% CI 1.10-2.41), reporting worsening of emotional/mental wellbeing (1.76, 95% CI 1.34-2.33), and previous psychological disorders (1.25, 95% CI 1.03-1.52). Conclusions: This study highlights several individual, psychological, and social determinants of increase in consumption of alcoholic beverages during physical and social distancing measures due to the pandemic and the results may reflect the presence of emotional changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It urges that sanitary authorities adopt measures to avoid excessive alcohol consumption during social distancing measures.

This cross-sectional study aimed to analyze the association of religiosity with behaviors and perceptions in the context of social distancing measures during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as mental health outcomes, in a university community in Central-West Brazil. A sample of 1,796 subjects responded to an online form with socio-demographic questions and the DASS-21 and PWBS scales. Religion was associated with the frequency of interactions, perceptions of the duration of the social distancing measures, changes in emotional state and history of psychological illness. The prevalence of symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress was lower among people with religion and their scores in psychological well-being were higher.

No abstract

Objetivo: Conhecer a vivência com o distanciamento social, no período inicial da pandemia da COVID-19, e o estado emocional de estudantes universitários. Método: Estudo qualitativo, exploratório-descritivo, realizado com 237 estudantes de instituição de ensino superior pública, situada no centro-oeste brasileiro. Dados coletados virtualmente, por questionário eletrônico, lançados em planilha e submetidos à análise descritiva e de conteúdo temática. Resultados: Emergiram as categorias Entre mudanças emocionais e dificuldades de adaptação ao ensino remoto e Distanciamento social e aproximação com o próprio ser. As narrativas sugerem a vivência de preocupações, ansiedade, abalo e instabilidade emocional com o distanciamento social e o ensino remoto de emergência no período pandêmico, e denotam maior tempo para o autocuidado e a convivência em família. Conclusão: Faz-se necessário o desenvolvimento de estratégias intersetoriais de promoção da saúde e prevenção de transtornos mentais, em parceria com a instituição de ensino, ajustadas ao contexto.

A pandemia de COVID-19 e as medidas de distanciamento social trouxeram implicações psicossociais para toda a comunidade universitária. Diante disso, o objetivo deste estudo é identificar fatores associados a sinais de ansiedade, depressão e estresse em uma comunidade universitária em regime de distanciamento social, durante a emergência sanitária. Por meio de estudo observacional de corte transversal com caráter quantitativo exploratório, realizado entre abril e maio de 2020, com uso da Escala de Depressão, Ansiedade e Estresse (DASS-21), foi obtida amostra on-line de 1.796 indivíduos. Os resultados de regressão quasi-Poisson demonstram que histórico de distúrbio mental, piora do estado emocional e dificuldades financeiras estão associados a altos escores dos três desfechos. Ainda, praticar atividade que proporciona bem-estar e possuir computador em casa estão associados negativamente a escores altos de depressão. Assim, mudanças do ensino presencial para o remoto podem ter implicações negativas na saúde mental de comunidades universitárias.