Background Due to social and geographical isolation, indigenous people are more vulnerable to adverse conditions; however, there is a lack of data on the epidemics’ impact on these populations. Thus, this article’s objective was to describe the epidemiological situation of COVID-19 in indigenous communities in Brazil. Methods This descriptive observational study was carried out in indigenous communities in the municipality of Amaturá (Amazonas, Brazil). Individuals from the Alto Rio Solimões Special Indigenous Sanitary District (DSEI) who met the Sars-Cov-2 infection case definitions during the period between January and August 2020 were included. For case notification, the definitions adopted by the Ministry of Health of Brazil and by the Special Secretariat for Indigenous Health were considered. Results Out of the entire population served by the Alto Rio Solimões DSEI ( n = 2890), 109 indigenous people were suspected of having been infected with Sars-Cov-R during the study period; a total of 89 cases were actually confirmed (rate: 3.08 cases/100,000 inhabitants). Most patients diagnosed with COVID-19 were female (56.2%), with a mean age of 32.4 (± 23.6) years. Predominant symptoms were fever (76.4%), dry cough (64%), and headache (60.7%). Complications occurred in 7.9% of the patients; no deaths were reported. Conclusion These results enhance the observation that indigenous populations, even if relatively isolated, are exposed to COVID-19. The disease cases assessed showed a favorable evolution, which does not mean reducing the need for caring of this population.

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Objective: To examine the rates of psychiatric hospitalization and the average length of stay, in Brazil, from 2009 to 2019, according to sociodemographic variables and character of the hospitalization (elective or urgency). Methods: This is an ecological study, with data collected from the Hospital Information System of the Unified Health System (SIH/SUS). Hospital admission rates were described according to diagnosis, sex, and age group. Percentage variation and rate ratios were calculated. To evaluate the time series, the data were submitted to linear regression analysis. Results: The rate of hospitalization for mental disorders decreased from 14.2/10,000 in 2009 to 11.2 in 2019, with the most significant variation occurring between mental and behavioral disorders due to alcohol use. The men had about twice as many episodes as the women in all the years evaluated. Higher rates were found in the age group of 30 and 59 years. The length of stay also decreased in the period. Besides, the urgency character presented almost 82% of the total hospitalizations. Conclusions: There was a reduction in hospital admissions for mental disorders in the analyzed period, demonstrating the relevance of mental health care changes resulting from the Psychiatric Reform.

The intrauterine environment is infl uenced by several factors, genetic or environmental, which are essential in understanding the pathophysiological mechanisms of some diseases. In this study, the aim was to investigate the impact of prenatal lipopolysaccharide exposure on the development of rats. Fifty pregnant rats received intraperitoneal administration of lipopolysaccharide (100 µg/kg), or saline at the same dose, on the 9.5th day of pregnancy. The offspring of these rats were analyzed for indicators of brain and somatic development and maturation of physical characteristics. Refl ex ontogenesis was also analyzed by vibrissae placement, negative geotaxis, palmar grasp, precipice aversion, decubitus recovery and acceleration reaction. Administration of lipopolysaccharide on the 9.5th gestational day caused delayed opening of the auditory pavilion, reduction in the length of the tail, body, cranial axes, and body weight. Thus, maternal infections can interfere in the intrauterine environment, impairing functional and structural aspects of the central nervous system, as well as the maturation of physical characteristics.

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p-Cymene is a monoterpene found in over 100 plant species. It shows a range of biological activity, including anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects. It is possibly a new therapeutic alternative for autism spectrum disorder characterized by deficits in interaction and behavioral abnormalities. These symptoms can occur in response to maternal immune activation through prenatal exposure to lipopolysaccharide. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the behavioral, memory, and biochemical effects of chronic administration of p-cymene in an animal model of autism by prenatal maternal exposure to lipopolysaccharide. Twenty-four pregnant Wistar rats were used, who received 100 μg/kg of lipopolysaccharide or saline intraperitoneally (i.p.) on the 9.5 gestational day. After birth, the male offspring remained with the mothers until weaning and underwent model validation tests on postnatal day 30. From postnatal day 31 on, chronic administration, via i.p., of saline (1 mL/kg), risperidone (0.2 mg/kg), or p-cymene (100 mg/kg) for 22 days was performed. The animals were submitted to behavioral (postnatal day 52) and memory tests (postnatal days 52–53) and subsequently sacrificed (postnatal day 54) when their brain structures were removed for quantification of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, interleukin 1β, and interleukin 6). Prenatal exposure to lipopolysaccharide significantly increased episodes of stereotyped movement (p=0.0001) and decreased parameters of social interaction in offspring, including sniffing, following, mounting, and allowing mounting (p=0.0043, p<0.0001, p=0.0009, and p=0.0200, respectively). Chronic p-cymene treatment was not significant for behavioral, memory, and biochemical tests. However, due to their pharmacokinetic characteristics, p-cymene nanomaterials’ formulation may be an exciting alternative to be tested for further results.

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