https://repositorio.ufpb.br/jspui/handle/tede/1693 PPGBCM 2026-10-12T07:33:26Z https://repositorio.ufpb.br/jspui/handle/123456789/39378 Título: Distribuição temporal e ocorrência de vírus respiratórios em uma população pediátrica : estudo epidemiológico Autor(es): Rodrigues, Erika Dias Orientador: Bezerra, João Felipe Abstract: Acute Respiratory Infections are common illnesses and represent a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in millions of children annually, with viruses being the potential cause of these infections. Therefore, this study aimed to conduct, using molecular methods, epidemiological surveillance of adverse viruses (Influenza A, Influenza B, Adenovirus, and Rhinovirus) in children aged 2 months to 12 years, with a clinical profile compatible with viral respiratory tract infections, treated at the private hospital Alberto Urquiza Wanderley (UNIMED), located in the state of Paraíba, between May 2021 and July 2025. For this purpose, nasopharyngeal mucus was collected with a nasal swab, and the samples were sent to the Applied Molecular Surveillance Laboratory of UFPB. The material underwent a viral RNA removal process using QIAamp Viral Mini Kit (Qiagen®) removal kits, and after that, an RT- qPCR was performed to detect the reported viruses. Children's participation in the study was contingent upon their legal guardians signing an informed consent form, and the hospital provided a participant notification form containing the necessary clinical data. The study included 1,250 children, of whom 17.2% tested positive for at least one of the respiratory viruses investigated. Confirmed cases were concentrated in 20 municipalities in Paraíba, predominantly in João Pessoa, and the 1- 4 year age group had the highest number of suspected and positive cases, with a statistically significant association between age group and diagnostic test result (p < 0.05), affecting viral positivity. A progressive increase in the number of tested cases was observed from 2023 onwards, with annual variation in the positivity rate. Adenovirus was the most prevalent pathogen throughout the period, followed by human rhinovirus, while Influenza B showed the lowest frequency. The distribution of viruses varied according to age group, but there was no statistically significant association between specific viruses and age after correction for multiple comparisons. Coinfections were infrequent, with those involving human rhinovirus being the most common. Most positive children did not require hospitalization, and regarding symptoms, fever and cough were the most frequent in both positive and negative cases, with no statistically significant association observed between the type of virus and the clinical profile of symptoms. Among the identified risk factors, fever was the most prevalent. This study allowed for an integrated analysis of the data obtained; however, the use of convenience samples and the restriction of data to a single private service are specific to the study. Nevertheless, the data presented are substantial for understanding the epidemiological and clinical profile of viral infections in children in Paraíba, highlighting the importance of continuous molecular surveillance as an essential tool for monitoring viral circulation, planning public health actions, and improving strategies for the prevention, diagnosis, and management of pediatric respiratory infections. Editor: Universidade Federal da Paraíba Tipo: Dissertação 2026-03-24T00:00:00Z https://repositorio.ufpb.br/jspui/handle/123456789/39238 Título: Avaliação do potencial contra câncer colorretal e da embriotoxicidade em peixe-zebra de um glicosídeo enônico Autor(es): Cavalcante, Jeremias Antunes Gomes Orientador: Martins, Glaucia Veríssimo Faheina Abstract: Colorectal cancer (CRC), which affects the large intestine (colon and rectum), is the most common cancer of the gastrointestinal tract and ranks third in incidence, also being responsible for the second highest number of cancer deaths worldwide. In this context, the search for new drugs to combat the disease is a strategic priority for global health, given the public health problem that CRC represents. From this perspective, substances such as glycosides have been studied, and some have shown promising anticancer activity against certain types of the disease. The present study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxicity of a synthetic steroidal glycoside (RO-OX04) in colorectal cancer cell lines and non-tumor cells, predict the pharmacokinetic characteristics of the compound through an insilico study (ADMET), and evaluate its embryotoxicity in an assay with zebrafish (Danio rerio). Initially, in the cytotoxicity assays, obtained through the MTT assay, the following cell lines were used: CRC (HT-29, LoVo and HCT-116) and non-tumor (HEK-293). The compound RO-OX04 proved to be more effective against the LoVo cell line, with IC50 values of 8 μM (24h) and 3.4 μM (72h). Importantly, RO- OX04 showed lower toxicity to non-tumor cells (HEK-293), with IC50 values of 15 μM (24h) and 12 μM (72h). Regarding the type of cell death, the compound induced apoptosis in cells exposed to RO-OX04 (8 μM) within 24h, with a percentage of 30.45 ± 4.5% of the cells in the sample. Concerning its effect on cell migration, the compound reduced groove closure when exposed to 8 μM, with closure percentages of 16 ± 3.5% and 22.2 ± 6% at 24 and 48 h, respectively. Regarding the inhibition of colony formation, exposure to 4, 8, and 12 μM of RO- OX04 significantly inhibited colony formation (35 ± 9, 1 ± 1, and 0 colonies), indicating a strong anticancer effect. The ADMET study predicted a promising pharmacological profile for RO- OX04, with good solubility and oral bioavailability. Furthermore, no neurotoxicity, mutagenicity, carcinogenicity, inhibition of cytochrome p450 isoforms, or interaction with P-glycoprotein were predicted. Furthermore, embryotoxicity analysis revealed that the compound RO-OX04 causes lethality and embryotoxicity in zebrafish after 96 hours of exposure, in a concentration- dependent manner. The results of this work suggest that the compound RO-OX04 is a promising cytotoxic agent for the treatment of colorectal cancer, with a favorable pharmacological profile, justifying the continuation of studies for its development as a future drug. Editor: Universidade Federal da Paraíba Tipo: Dissertação 2025-10-22T00:00:00Z https://repositorio.ufpb.br/jspui/handle/123456789/39187 Título: Dinâmica epidemiológica, genômica e espacial do SARS-CoV-2 no estado da Paraíba de 2020 a 2024 Autor(es): Carneiro, Thiago Franco de Oliveira Orientador: Bezerra, João Felipe Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic represented one of the greatest public health challenges of the 21st century, highlighting the importance of epidemiological and genomic surveillance for monitoring SARS-CoV-2 transmission dynamics and evolution. This study aimed to analyze, in an integrated manner, the epidemiological and molecular dynamics of COVID-19 in Paraíba State, Brazil, from March 2020 to December 2024. This was an observational, ecological study with a mixed design (retrospective and prospective) and a quantitative approach, based on the analysis of secondary epidemiological and genomic surveillance data, as well as the generation of primary SARS-CoV-2 genomic data. Data on cases and deaths were obtained from the SIVEP-Gripe and e-SUS Notifica systems, and genomic data were retrieved from the GISAID platform. During the study period, 727,242 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 10,690 deaths were recorded in Paraíba State. Of all confirmed cases, 591,470 (81.33%) were classified based on laboratory criteria. Among 444,069 real-time RT-PCR tests included in the study, 140,460 were positive, corresponding to a positivity rate of 31.63%. Annual cumulative incidence was 4,752.58 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2020, peaked at 6,808.34 per 100,000 in 2021, declined to 5,878.46 per 100,000 in 2022, and dropped sharply in 2023 (327.84 per 100,000) and 2024 (169.71 per 100,000). Genomic surveillance comprised 4,114 genomes from 174 municipalities (78.03% of the state), of which 96.89% achieved genome coverage above 95%. Successive replacement of B.1-related lineages by the Gamma, Delta, and later Omicron variants and their sublineages was observed. Gamma predominance coincided with the period of greatest epidemiological impact, whereas Omicron introduction, particularly BA.1, was associated with a marked increase in cases without a proportional rise in deaths. Higher lethality was observed among males, who had 41% greater odds of death than females (OR = 1.41; 95% CI: 1.33–1.48), and mortality increased markedly with age, reaching OR = 66.48 (95% CI: 56.76–77.90) among individuals aged 80 years or older. Despite broad territorial coverage and high-quality genomes, the interval between sample collection and sequence submission to GISAID was prolonged, with a mean of 113.49 days and a median of 66 days (IQR: 41–148), limiting its usefulness for timely public health action. In conclusion, the integration of epidemiological and genomic surveillance was essential to understanding COVID-19 dynamics in Paraíba State, highlighting the role of viral variants, population immunity, and operational capacity in shaping the pandemic impact. These findings reinforce the need to strengthen genomic surveillance as a strategic component of preparedness for future public health emergencies. Editor: Universidade Federal da Paraíba Tipo: Dissertação 2026-03-26T00:00:00Z https://repositorio.ufpb.br/jspui/handle/123456789/37770 Título: Avaliação da expressão do gene TP53 em amostras de pacientes com câncer colorretal e sua correlação com fatores prognósticos Autor(es): Tomaz, Alécia Coura Orientador: Martina, Glaucia Verissimo Faheina Abstract: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a neoplasm that affects the large intestine in its segments of the colon, rectum and anus. It is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Some of the risk factors for colorectal cancer include: high fat diet, sedentary lifestyle, obesity, smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. Among the genes that are frequently mutated, alterations in the TP53 gene are considered one of the main genetic alterations related to the development of CRC. Sociodemographic factors such as ethnicity and socioeconomic status are known to influence the incidence, stage, diagnosis, survival and mortality of this cancer. The aim of this study was to carry out an ambispective cohort study of patients with Colorectal Cancer using paraffin-blocked samples. As well as analyzing TP53 gene expression by real-time PCR in fresh samples from patients at Hospital Napoleão Laureano in João Pessoa/PB, Brazil. Statistical analyzes were performed using SPSS® software, version 22.0 and the public domain program OpenEpi, version 3.01. Association tests were performed, such as Pearson's Chi-square and Fisher's Exact Test, the P value considered statistically significant <0.05. Positive p53 staining was observed in 46.5% of the 43 patient samples analyzed by immunohistochemistry, and 53.5% were negative. Of the samples analyzed for immunohistochemistry, it was found that 55.8% of the patients were female, with a mean age above 60 years (79.1%). The most frequent ethnicity was brown people (81.4%). Regarding the laterality of the tumor, the region of the left colon was more frequent (60.4%), and the most present histological grade was the moderately differentiated (88.3%). As for the morphological pattern, the tubular was the most frequent (74.4%). With regard to Internship, II was the most observed in the study population (81.4%). Metastasis in lymph nodes was absent in most of the individuals analyzed (51.1%). Patients who presented positive marking for carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) corresponded to 30.2%, considered positive when CEA > 4.0 ng/ml. There was no significant association between p53 expression and any of the analyzed variables (gender, age, education, ethnicity, location, histological grade, histological pattern, stage and positive quantification for CEA). In the analyzes of TP53 gene expression by real-time PCR, performed in fresh samples (n=10), a higher expression of TP53 was observed in normal tissues (adjacent to the tumor) in relation to tumor tissue (p< 0.05 ). The analysis of data from this cohort allowed us to better understand the profile of the disease, highlighting the main sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with the disease, making it possible to assist in possible preventive and management practices for the patient. However, it was not possible to associate p53 expression with other markers such as CEA, or with other pathological clinical factors. More comprehensive studies with a larger number of patients may possibly better clarify the contribution of p53 as a biomarker for colorectal cancer. Editor: Universidade Federal da Paraíba Tipo: Dissertação 2023-03-31T00:00:00Z