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BackgroundInterpersonal violence, such as intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and adverse childhood experiences, is a significant global health concern. A major challenge to nurses and others working in the field of interpersonal violence deals with the complexity involved in measuring interpersonal violence. Numerous validated instruments exist; however, there is no standard approach for scoring these instruments. There is also a tendency to examine different forms of violence separately, not accounting for the known co-occurrence of violence. This has led to confusion as the interpretation of results often differs depending on the specific method used.ObjectivesThe purpose of this article is to summarize the major methods for scoring interpersonal violence measures and implications of each approach with a specific focus on co-occurrence.MethodsThe article begins with a summary of the primary goals of measuring interpersonal violence, major methods for scoring interpersonal violence measures, along with scoring challenges. We then provide a case exemplar examining the relationship between interpersonal violence and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms to illustrate how scoring methods can affect study results and interpretation of findings.ResultsOur article shows that each scoring method provides a different picture of the distribution of interpersonal violence experiences and varies regarding the ease of interpretation. Scoring methods also affect interpretation of associations between interpersonal violence and other factors, such as having statistical power to detect significant associations. Accounting for the co-occurrence is critical for making accurate inferences by identifying potential confounding interactions between different types of violence.DiscussionThe application of different scoring methods leading to varying interpretations highlights the need for researchers to be purposeful when selecting a method and even applying multiple methods when possible. Recommendations are provided to assist researchers and providers when making decisions about the use of scoring methods in different contexts.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is characterized by the presence of the variant S hemoglobin (HbS). The homozygous genotype (HbSS) is sickle cell anemia (SCA), while the double heterozygous of HbS and HbC (HbSC) is defined as SC hemoglobinopathy. The pathophysiology is based on chronic hemolysis, inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and vaso-occlusion, which results in vasculopathy and serious clinical manifestations. Sickle leg ulcers (SLUs) are cutaneous lesions around the malleoli frequent in 20% of Brazilian patients with SCD. SLUs present a variable clinical and laboratory pattern modulated by several characteristics that are not fully understood. Hence, this study aimed to investigate laboratory biomarkers and genetic and clinical parameters associated with the development of SLUs. This descriptive cross-sectional study included 69 SCD patients, 52 without SLU (SLU−) and 17 with active or previous SLU history (SLU+). The results showed a higher incidence of SLU in SCA patients and there was no observed association of α-3.7 Kb thalassemia in SLU occurrence. Alterations in NO metabolism and hemolysis were associated with clinical evolution and severity of SLU, in addition to hemolysis modulating the etiology and recurrence of SLU. Our multifactorial analyses demonstrate and extend the role of hemolysis driving the pathophysiological mechanism of SLU.

Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is one of the types of sickle cell disease (SCD), which is characterized by hematological events such as hemolysis and endothelial damage that culminate in vaso-occlusion, leading to the appearance of several clinical manifestations. SCD is the result of erythrocyte alteration conditioned by a mutation in the HBB gene that leads to the formation of hemoglobin S (HbS). Fetal hemoglobin (HbF) is known to positively affect the clinical condition of individuals with SCA, by interfering with the role of HbS in erythrocyte alteration. Genetic polymorphisms are known to positively modulate clinical phenotypes of SCD, with the BCL11A gene being an important marker in this regard. However, polymorphisms in the BCL11A gene have been described as negatively change the clinical status of patients with SCD. The aim of this present study was associate laboratory biomarkers in the presence of polymorphisms rs766432 (C>A) and rs6732518 (C>T) in the BCL11A gene. Hematological and biochemical markers were investigated by automated methods and genetic markers were identified by polymerase chain reaction and Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) techniques. Statistical analyses were performed using the GraphPad Prism software, version 9.0. HbF showed a statistically significant association in the presence of the rs766432 polymorphism (p = 0.0306) as well as simultaneously with the rs6732518 polymorphism (p = 0.0302), and HbS concentration (p = 0.0464). The concentration of hemoglobin (Hb) (p = 0.0008), hematocrit (Ht) (p = 0.0243) (p = 0.0329) and red blood cell count (RBC) (p = 0.0069) (p = 0.00466) were high in the presence of polymorphisms. Total (p = 0.0264) and direct (p = 0.0039) bilirubin concentration showed lower values in the presence of the rs766432 polymorphism, as well as in the co-inheritance of both polymorphisms (p = 0.0073) (p = 0. 0154). High concentrations of HDL cholesterol were associated with the presence of the variant allele of the polymorphism rs766432 (p = 0.0402) and high levels of alpha1-antitrypsin were associated with the presence of the variant allele of the polymorphism rs6732518 (p = 0.0320). There was no correlation between HbF and HDL (r = 0.03705). It is concluded that polymorphisms in the BCL11A locus are important for the variation in HbF levels, and that they may have a pleiotropic effect by determining laboratory parameters not related thus hemoglobin.

IntroductionThe clarification of etiopathology, the improvement of chemotherapy regimens and their risk stratifications, and the improvement in treatment support have increased the survival of children and adolescents affected by Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) past few years. This study aimed to estimate overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) in an onco-hematology treatment center in Brazil, reports the main clinical-laboratory characteristics of patients at diagnosis, verify the frequency of treatment-related adverse effects and the main causes of death.Material and methodsRetrospective analysis involving patients diagnosed with ALL, treated with the protocol of the Brazilian Group for Treatment of Leukemias in Childhood (GBTLI), between 2010 and 2020 was carried out; the outcomes (relapse, deaths, development of new neoplasms) were analyzed SPSS® software was used for the statistical analyses, and the p-value was considered significant when less than 0.05 for all analyses.Results109 patients were included in the study; the median age was 5 years, with a slight predominance of males. Sixty-six patients were classified as high-risk (HR) group and 43 patients were classified as low-risk (LR) group. After 5 years of diagnosis, the OS was 71.5%, and the EFS was 65%. No statistical difference was found between the HR and LR groups for OS and EFS, while leukocyte counts were statistically associated with the outcome of death (p = 0.028). Among the patients, 28 (25.6%) died due to infection accounting 46.4% of death causes. Among the 34 patients with unfavorable outcomes (death and/or relapse), 32 had no research for the minimal residual disease at the end of remission induction, and 25 were not investigated for the presence of chromosomal abnormalities. The most reported complications and treatment-related adverse effects were increased liver transaminases (85.9%), airway infection (79.4%), oral mucositis (67.2%), febrile neutropenia (64.4%), and diarrhea (36.4%).ConclusionsThe rates of OS and EFS obtained in this cohort are similar to those obtained in the few previous similar studies in Brazil and lower than those carried out in developed countries. The unavailability of prognostic tests may have hindered risk stratification and influenced the results obtained.

Constata-se que, atualmente, há um aumento da demanda para resfriamento de ambientes, visando a obtenção de condições adequadas de conforto térmico, em consequência do fenômeno de aquecimento global. Nesse sentido, também ocorre aumento da demanda de energia para abastecê-los e se destacam estudos sobre sistemas de condicionamento térmico passivos ou complementares aos sistemas ativos, tal como a geotermia. Assim, tem-se por objetivo investigar a aplicação da geotermia como estratégia de resfriamento em clima tropical, identificando suas potencialidades e viabilidade. Utiliza-se de revisão bibliográfica e patentária, tendo sido selecionadas 25 publicações científicas e 226 patentes em bases de dados. Os resultados evidenciam a Coréia do Sul e Estados Unidos como líderes de mercado; as tecnologias se relacionam às máquinas e equipamentos do setor de climatização. As pesquisas reconhecem os benefícios econômicos e ambientais da geotermia em comparação com soluções tradicionais, muito embora, somente um único estudo tenha sido localizado para climas tropicais.

Fasciola hepatica can cause problems in both animals and humans. Fasciolosis can be diagnosed through the indirect ELISA immunodiagnostic test. Serological diagnosis of Fasciola is based on recombinant antigens secreted by this worm. We used PubMed and Google Scholar databases to review the published literature on ‘antigens with immunogenic potential’ used in serological tests to identify antibodies against F. hepatica in humans, cattle, and sheep. Studies that investigated diagnostic tests with common reference standards were included in the sensitivity and/or specificity bivariate meta-analysis. In the quality and susceptibility to bias analysis of the 33 included studies, 26 fulfilled at least six (75%) of the eight QUADAS criteria and were considered good-quality papers. We found that most of the studies used native excretory-secretory antigens and recombinant cathepsin in ELISA tests for serological diagnosis of fascioliasis in humans, cattle, and sheep. The meta-analysis revealed that all antigens demonstrated good accuracy. The best results in terms of sensitivity [0.931–2.5% confidence interval (CI) and 0.985–97.5% CI] and specificity (0.959–2.5% CI and 0.997–97.5% CI) were found in human FhES. FhrCL-1, FhES, and FhrSAP-2 antigens gave the best results for the serum diagnosis of human and animal fasciolosis.

Calcium chloride hexahydrate (CaCl2.6H2O) is a stablished inorganic salt hydrate-based phase change material (PCM) with interesting properties for low temperature latent heat thermal energy storage (LHTES) applications. However, its phase transition during melting and solidification exhibits a complex behaviour with supercooling and phase segregation effects, which critically limit their practical applications. Experimental approaches enabling tracking of the solidification process in this PCM are thus crucial for a deeper understanding of these adverse effects and to design efficient LHTES. In this study, a novel method based on dynamic X-ray computed tomography (XCT) is used to monitor the solidification process in CaCl2.6H2O through sequences of XCT images. The method was tested with a sample of 60g of CaCl2.6H2O with density of 1.71 g/cm3 and purity higher than 98%. The results reveal that solidification of CaCl2.6H2O occurs through the fusion of crystalline structures initially appearing at the side and the bottom surfaces of the sample which grow over time. In the experiment performed, the solidification process is found to be incomplete, which is frustrated after 385 min of starting the solidification. This frustration was preceded by a change in the total solidification rate which is here estimated from the transient liquid volume fraction curve computed via image processing analysis. Quantitative estimation for the crystals size is also reported.