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Due to global development and increased public awareness of food’s effects on health, demands for innovative and healthy products have risen. Biodegradable and environmentally friendly polymer usage in modern food products is a promising approach to reduce the negative health and environmental effects of synthetic chemicals. Also, desirable features such as flavor, texture, shelf-life, storage condition, water holding capacity, a decrease in water activity, and an oil absorption of fried food have been improved by many polysaccharides. One of the important polymers, which is applied in the food industry, is alginate. Alginates are a safe and widely used compound in various industries, especially the food industry, which has led to innovative methods for for the improvement of this industry. Currently, different applications of alginate in stable emulsions and nano-capsules in food applications are due to the crosslinking properties of alginate with divalent cations, such as calcium ions, which have been studied recently. The main aim of this review is to take a closer look at alginate properties and applications in the food industry.

Objectives: To analyze bone mineral content (BMC) and area bone mineral density (aBMD) accrual in adolescent male footballers who started their first football season. Methods: 17 athletes (14.8 ± 0.4 years) were monitored across 15 weeks of football training. Participants were evaluated for somatic maturation (HPHV), BMC, and aBMD at three time points: before (M1) and after (M2) a preparatory phase, and at the end of the competitive phase (M3). BMC and aBMD were measured using DXA scans. Participants were divided into groups according to maturation status (circa-PHV and post-PHV), and the amount of accumulated training load (median split). Results: A significant effect (12.1 g/week, standard error (SE) = 2.6 g/week) was observed for lower limbs BMC across the three time points. There were no significant effects of time for upper limbs BMC. There was a significant effect of time for total body aBMD (0.007, SE = 0.003 g/cm2/week) across the three time points. Adolescents at post-PHV had a significant 245.6 g (SE = 56.1 g) higher BMC compared to adolescents at circa-PHV. No significant effects were observed for the accumulated training load. Conclusion: Systematic football training, even during the growth spurt, has a positive impact on adolescent bone markers despite the accumulated training load and maturation.

ABSTRACT Purpose: Full-endoscopic spine surgery (FESS) is associated with specific complications, possibly linked to increased intracranial pressure (ICP) resulting from continuous saline infusion into the epidural space. This study aimed to assess the impact of saline irrigation and its correlation with noninvasively obtained ICP waveform changes. Methods: Patients undergoing FESS between January 2019 and November 2020 were included. Noninvasive ICP (n-ICP) monitoring utilized an extracranial strain sensor generating ICP waveforms, from which parameters P2/P1 ratio and time to peak (TTP) values were derived and correlated to irrigation and vital parameters. Documentation occurred at specific surgical intervals (M0–preoperatively; M1 to M4–intraoperatively; M5–postoperatively). Mixed-model analysis of variance and multiple comparisons tests were applied, with M0 as the baseline. Results: Among 31 enrolled patients, three experienced headaches unrelated to increased ICP at M5. The P2/P1 ratio and TTP decreased during surgery (p < 0.001 and p < 0.004, respectively). Compared to baseline, P2/P1 ratio and vital parameters remained significantly lower at M5. No significant differences were observed for fluid parameters throughout surgery. Conclusions: This study demonstrated a decline in the n-ICP parameters after anesthetic induction despite the anticipated increase in ICP due to constant epidural irrigation. The n-ICP parameters behaved independently of fluid parameters, suggesting a potential protective effect of anesthesia.

This study involved the evaluation of the effect of vacuum pasteurization on physicochemical characteristics (pH, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, chroma, tone, IO, vitamin C, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural), microbiological properties (Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, total coliforms, total mesophilic aerobes, molds and yeasts) and sensory characteristics of orange and carrot nectar. The thermal treatments were designed based on the thermal lethality of two heat-resistant microorganisms typical of the product (Neosartorya fischeri and Zygosaccaromyces bailii). The evaluation was carried out on raw nectar and pasteurized nectar. The shelf life was estimated to be 30 days (6 °C). The most favorable results were obtained by applying a heat treatment at 88 °C for 32.68 min, managing to retain 85.87% of vitamin C and a microbiological stability of 12 days (6 ± 0.6 °C) with regard to total mesophilic aerobes. Likewise, the tasters established that this treatment resulted in the best flavor, texture and acceptability characteristics.

The Vehicle Routing Problem (VRP) is a classical optimization problem that aims to find routes for a fleet of vehicles to meet the demands of a set of customers. Due to its wide applicability, especially in the logistics sector, numerous VRP variants exist. One such variant is the Dynamic Vehicle Routing Problem (DVRP), where new customer demands may arise after the initial routing has been defined. The combinatorial nature of the DVRP makes it challenging to find high-quality feasible solutions within a reasonable runtime for real-world large-sized problems, motivating the development of heuristic approaches to address this issue. This paper presents a new heuristic algorithm, Dynamic Search per Neighbors Routes (DSNR), which uses neighborhood search approaches based on the 2-Opt* operator to allocate new delivery packages to existing routes. The DSNR algorithm was evaluated on instances from the Loggibud benchmark, representing real data from three different Brazilian cities. Regarding distance and number of vehicles, the proposed approach outperforms two other techniques from the literature: the QRP Sweep (QRPS) and the K-Means Greedy (KG). The DSNR achieved gains ranging from 15% to 17% in distance and final delivery costs.

Através de uma visão objetiva de como se encontra a literatura brasileira na atualidade, é possível verificar que atual crise literária somente pode ser combatida se conhecermos o gosto dos pré-adolescentes e mudarmos nosso relacionamento com os alunos, no que se refere ao estimulo da leitura. Esse estudo tem como objetivo, tratar da literatura infanto-juvenil na contemporaneidade, demonstrando os desafios enfrentados pelos docentes, na aplicabilidade do “gosto pela leitura” na prática escolar e na vida das crianças e adolescentes dos dias atuais. Para realização desse estudo, utilizei-me de pesquisa bibliográfica e exploratória, demonstrando como a escola pode contribuir para a formação de leitores que leiam por prazer e satisfação. Buscando abordar o assunto desde a vertente histórica até a contemporaneidade refletindo sobre possíveis soluções a dificuldade de introduzir a leitura na vida do público infanto-juvenil.

Monitoring the herd during supplementation is essential to understanding animals' ingestive activities, making decisions when choosing the supplement parameters, and correctly managing the livestock and agriculture processes. Programmable Automatic Feeders (PAFs) are important tools that support stakeholders in the treatment process, decreasing the time and cost compared to traditional supplementation methods. This paper presents a dataset that consists of data acquired from a supplementation experiment using a PAF with a Nelore herd in a paddock of 16 ha with brachiaria Decumbens forage. The experiment was performed in the Midwest region of Brazil (20°26′37.7″S 54°50′58.5″W) and according to the Köppen climate classification system, the region has a tropical wet and dry climate (Aw). This climate type is typically associated with high temperatures throughout the year. The herd had free access to water and the forage. The PAF supplemented the herd three times a day and collected data such as the frequency and time spent in the feeder of each animal. The experiment data started in December 2022 up to October 2023. The animals were weighed every 13–28 days, and the animals' Average Daily Gain (ADG) was registered. In addition, spectral and weather parameters were acquired via geoprocessing and meteorological (Application Programming Interfaces – APIs). This dataset can support stakeholders in understanding the bovines' collective behaviour at the supplementation process and designing and developing machine-learning models to estimate the quantity of supplementation ingested by the herd.

The increasing lifespan of women and their extended time spent in menopause pose significant challenges for health care systems, primarily due to the impacts of postmenopausal estrogen deficiency and aging on health. Menopause's onset is linked to a heightened prevalence of obesity, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, and osteoporosis. Diet is particularly relevant during menopause given its impact on quality of life and longevity and its modifiability. Because the Mediterranean diet is currently regarded as one of the healthiest dietary models in the world, the aim of this systematic review was to assess current evidence regarding the effectiveness of studies on the Mediterranean diet as an intervention for menopausal women. A systematic review of intervention-based studies involving the Mediterranean diet among menopausal women was performed in Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science. The results of seven that met the inclusion criteria suggests that adherence to the Mediterranean diet can have beneficial impacts on menopausal women's health, including reductions in weight, blood pressure, blood ω6: ω3 ratio, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and LDL levels. Those results seem to be relevant for public health interventions aimed at improving menopausal women's quality of life.

The environmental vulnerability diagnosis of a river basin depends on a holistic analysis of its environmental aspects and degradation factors. Based on this diagnosis, the definition of priority areas where interventions for environmental recovery should be carried out is fundamental, since financial and natural resources are limited. In this study, we developed a methodology to assess these fragilities using an environmental vulnerability index (EVI) that combines physical and environmental indicators related to the natural sensitivity of ecosystems and their exposure to anthropogenic factors. The developed EVI was applied to the headwater region of the São Francisco River Basin (SFRB), Brazil. The proposed index was based on the AHP multicriteria analysis and was adapted to include four variables representative of the study area: Land Use Adequacy, Burned Area, Erosion Susceptibility, and quantitative water balance. The EVI analysis highlighted that the presence of easily erodible soils, associated with sloping areas and land use above their capacity, generate the most vulnerable areas in the headwaters of the SFRB. The highest EVI values are primarily linked to regions with shallow, easily erodible soils like Leptosols and Cambisols, found in steep areas predominantly used for pasture. In the SFBR, the greatest vulnerability was observed within a 5 km buffer around conservation units, covering approximately 32.4% of the total area. The results of this study indicate where resources should be applied for environmental preservation in the basin under study, directing the allocation of efforts to areas with lower resilience to maintain ecosystem services.

Estimating pasture parameters is essential for decision-making in the management of livestock and agriculture. Despite that, the time-consuming acquisition of outdoor forage samples and the high cost of laboratory analysis make it infeasible to predict parameters of quality and quantity forage recurrently and with great accuracy. Previous work has shown that multispectral and weather data have correlation with forage parameters, enabling the design of supervised machine learning models to predict forage conditions. Nevertheless, datasets with pasture yield and nutritional parameters, remote sensing and weather information are scarce and rarely available, limiting the design of prediction models. This paper presents a dataset with more than 300 samples of pasture laboratory analyses collected over nearly twelve months from two paddocks. Latitude and longitude coordinates were collected for each sample using GPS coordinates, and this data helped acquire multispectral band signals and eight vegetation index values extracted from Google Earth Engine (Sentinel-2 satellite) for each pixel of each sample. Furthermore, the dataset has weather data from APIs and a meteorological station. These data can also motivate new studies that aim determine pasture behaviour, joining this dataset with larger datasets that have similar information.

Introdução: As escalas Categories of Auditory Performance II (CAP-II) e Infant-Toddler Meaningful Auditory Integration Scale (IT-MAIS) são questionários simples e de rápida aplicação que permitem avaliar o desempenho auditivo de crianças com implante coclear (IC). O objetivo deste estudo foi a tradução, adaptação e validação da versão em português europeu das escalas CAP-II e IT-MAIS. Métodos: Um total de 85 participantes completaram a versão em português europeu dos questionários CAP-II e IT-MAIS, dos quais 45 eram pais de crianças com IC pediátrico (9,84 ± 4,22 anos) e outros 40 eram pais de crianças com audição normal (8,35 ± 3,56 anos). Foi avaliada a reprodutibilidade entre avaliadores, a reprodutibilidade teste-reteste, a comparação dos resultados do grupo de estudo versus grupo de controlo, a consistência interna e a correlação das novas escalas. Resultados: As escalas CAP-II e IT-MAIS apresentaram uma elevada confiabilidade e reprodutibilidade, respetivamente com coeficiente de correlação intraclasse (ICC) de 0,979 (p < 0,001) e correlação de Spearman de 0,924 para a escala CAP-II, e ICC de 0,932 (p < 0,001) e coeficiente de correlação de Spearman de 0,732 para a escala IT-MAIS. As versões do IT-MAIS e do CAP-II apresentaram uma forte consistência interna (valor do coeficiente α de Cronbach de 0,887 para a escala CAP-II e correlação positiva de Spearman de 0,677 para a escala IT-MAIS, respetivamente) e permitem diferenciar entre crianças com audição normal e crianças pós-implantação (p = 0,001 e p < 0,001 respetivamente para cada uma das escalas). Não se verificou existir associação estatisticamente significativa entre a escolaridade e o resultado nas escalas (p > 0,05). Conclusão: A versão em português europeu destas escalas demonstrou ser uma ferramenta válida e confiável na avaliação do desempenho auditivo em crianças falantes de português europeu com deficiência auditiva.

Fabry disease is a multisystem lysosomal storage disorder caused by mutations in the GLA gene that result in a deficient or absent activity of alpha-galactosidase A. There is a wide spectrum of GLA gene variants, some of which are described as non-pathogenic. The clinical importance of the D313Y variant is still under debate, although in recent years it has been considered as a variant of unknown significance or a benign variant. Despite this prevailing notion, there are multiple case reports of patients with D313Y variant that presented signs and symptoms consistent with FD without any other etiological explanation. In this article, we present two family members with an important renal phenotype and other typical manifestations of FD (white matter lesions and left ventricular hypertrophy) that only had the D313Y variant. These cases suggest that this variant of unknown significance may contribute to the development of common features of FD and should not be undervalued. Resumen: La enfermedad de Fabry (EF) es un trastorno de almacenamiento lisosómico multisistémico causado por mutaciones en el gen GLA que tienen como resultado una actividad deficiente o ausente de alfa-galactosidasa A. Existe un amplio espectro de variantes del gen GLA, algunas de las cuales se describen como no patógenas. La importancia clínica de la variante D313Y aún está en debate, aunque en los últimos años se ha considerado una variante de significado incierto o una variante benigna. A pesar de esta noción predominante, existen múltiples reportes de casos de pacientes con variante D313Y que presentaron signos y síntomas consistentes con EF sin ninguna otra explicación etiológica. En este artículo presentamos 2 familiares con un importante fenotipo renal y otras manifestaciones típicas de la EF (lesiones de la sustancia blanca e hipertrofia ventricular izquierda) que solo presentaban la variante D313Y. Estos casos indican que esta variante de significado incierto puede contribuir al desarrollo de características comunes de la EF y no debe subestimarse.

Choroid plexus papillomas (CPPs) are rare benign neoplasms which are particularly uncommon in the posterior fossa in children. We herein present a case series of five patients treated at a tertiary care hospital. A comprehensive literature review was also carried out. The patients treated at the tertiary care hospital were aged between 4 and 16 years. Gross total resection (GTR) was initially achieved in two patients. All patients showed clinical improvement. Moreover, 27 articles published between 1975 and 2021 were selected for the literature review, totaling 46 patients; with the 5 patients previously described, the total sample was composed of 51 cases, With a mean age was 8.2 years. The lesions were located either in the fourth ventricle (65.3%) or the cerebellopontine angle (34.7%). Hydrocephalus was present preoperatively in 66.7% of the patients, and a permanent shunt was required in 31.6% of the cases. The GTR procedure was feasible in 64.5%, and 93.8% showed clinical improvement. For CPPs, GTR is the gold standard treatment and should be attempted whenever feasible, especially because the role of the adjuvant treatment remains controversial. Neuromonitoring is a valuable tool to achieve maximal safe resection. Hydrocephalus is common and must be recognized and promptly treated. Most patients will need a permanent shunt. Though there is still controversy on its efficacy, endoscopic third ventriculostomy is a safe procedure, and was the authors' first choice to treat hydrocephalus.

In the original publication [...]

Understanding climate change and land use impacts is crucial for mitigating environmental degradation. This study assesses the environmental vulnerability of the Doce River Basin for 2050, considering future climate change and land use and land cover (LULC) scenarios. Factors including slope, elevation, relief dissection, precipitation, temperature, pedology, geology, urban distance, road distance, and LULC were evaluated using multicriteria analysis. Regional climate models Eta-HadGEM2-ES and Eta-MIROC5 under RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 emission scenarios were employed. The Land Change Modeler tool simulated 2050 LULC changes and hypothetical reforestation of legal reserve (RL) areas. Combining two climate and two LULC scenarios resulted in four future vulnerability scenarios. Projections indicate an over 300 mm reduction in average annual precipitation and an up to 2 °C temperature increase from 2020 to 2050. Scenario 4 (RCP 8.5 and LULC for 2050 with reforested RLs) showed the greatest basin area in the lowest vulnerability classes, while scenario 3 (RCP 4.5 and LULC for 2050) exhibited more high-vulnerability areas. Despite the projected relative improvement in environmental vulnerability by 2050 due to reduced rainfall, the complexity of associated relationships must be considered. These results contribute to mitigating environmental damage and adapting to future climatic conditions in the Doce River Basin.

ABSTRACT The method of applying fertiliser to the soil affects grain productivity. The aim of this study was to determine the dynamics of phosphorus, potassium and sulphur in the arable layer of the soil during the third year of agricultural production, as a function of the method of application. The study took place in the district of Diamantino, Mato Grosso, in an area of soybean-maize succession under minimum tillage. Five treatments were tested in a randomised block design: no phosphorus or potassium (P0-K0); broadcast phosphorus and in-furrow potassium (Pb-Kf); in-furrow phosphorus and potassium (Pf-Kf); in-furrow phosphorus and broadcast potassium (Pf-Kb); broadcast phosphorus and potassium (Pb-Kb). When the soybeans reached physiological maturity, soil samples were collected from the 0-0.05, 0.05-0.10, 0.10-0.15 and 0.15-0.20 m layers for analysis of the pH, and P, K, S and organic matter content. The soil attributes were submitted to analysis of variance and Tukey’s test at 5%, and the nutrient dynamics in the soil profile were analysed by regression. The in-furrow application of phosphorus (Pf-Kb and Pf-Kf) improved P availability in the 0-0.05 m layer by 69.12% and 46.54% compared to the Pb-Kb treatment, by 73.93% and 50.71% compared to the Pb-Kf treatment, and by 136.77% and 105.16% compared to the P0-K0 treatment. The in-furrow application of phosphate fertiliser proved to be more effective in terms of phosphorus availability in the soil. The residual effect of broadcasting phosphate fertiliser on phosphorus availability in the soil can be seen from the third year of production onwards.

This paper aims to propose an analysis of the book Montanha, wrote by Cyro dos Anjos in 1956, using for this intent some concepts of the comparative literature, historical novel, and Roman a Clef. Cyro in this political novel tries to extract the essence from the facts in a very turbulent moment of the Brazilian society and brings them together to a very complex and fragmented plot. It is possible to observe in the construction of the storyline, an attempt to create a plot that could represent an innovation from the previous novels published by the author and a political novel that was deeply influenced by cinematographic elements and by the American novels produced in the first decades of the 20th century. To execute this analysis we worked with the theoretical framework of Antonio Candido with the book Brigada Ligeira, Alfredo Bosi com História Concisa da Literatura Brasileira, Vera Márcia Milanesi em Cyro dos Anjos: Memória e História e Wander Melo Miranda em Cyro & Drummond.

The deep-sea Caribbean lobster (Metanephrops binghami) and the Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) are Nephropidae species of high commercial interest. Although the first one still remains unexploited, the second is overexploited in the Mediterranean Sea. For effective fisheries management, size at sexual maturity is an essential indicator to protect immature individuals from exploitation. The estimation of this indicator can, however, be biased due to the difficulty of differentiating juveniles from adults by their size structure due to the natural process of molting. This study aims to estimate the size at sexual maturity of M. binghami and N. norvegicus females by comparing the effectiveness of the morphometric method versus the macroscopic evaluation of gonad maturity. Samples of M. binghami were collected from the Colombian Caribbean Sea in August and December 2009, March and May 2010, and August 2020 to May 2021. Samples of N. norvegicus were collected from the northwestern Mediterranean Sea from 2019 to 2022. Similar sizes at sexual maturity were found for M. binghami between the morphometric approach (ranging from 28.6 to 33.9 mm cephalothorax length, CL) and the gonadal staging approach (31.4 mm CL). Conversely, for N. norvegicus, the morphometric approach yielded higher measurements (between 27.2 and 30.4 mm CL) than the gonadal approach (26.0 mm CL). This discrepancy might stem from the intense fishing overexploitation conditions of N. norvergicus, leading to a physiological adaptation that enables earlier gonadal maturation at faster rates than morphometric adaptation. Further research is required to elucidate these discrepancies and the effect of overexploitation on physiological (i.e., mature gonads) and functional maturity (i.e., capacity to brood eggs at a larger size).

Introdução/Objetivo: A última epidemia de Cólera no Brasil ocorreu em 1991, porém a doença tem ganhado destaque mundial, sobretudo pela sua disseminação em diversos países africanos no ano de 2022. Este estudo objetiva uma análise epidemiológica das internações hospitalares por Cólera na Bahia dos últimos 10 anos. Metodologia: Estudo epidemiológico retrospectivo e descritivo empregando dados do Sistema Único de Saúde (DATASUS) de pacientes internados por Cólera na Bahia, no período de abril de 2013 a abril de 2023. As variáveis utilizadas foram idade, sexo e raça/cor correlacionadas com internações e óbitos. Os dados foram tabulados no software Excel para análise. Resultados: No estado da Bahia segundo o DATASUS, 54,7% das internações de Cólera acometeram pacientes de 0-4 anos, 10% de 5-9 anos, 5% de 10-19 anos, 14,5% de 20-59 anos e 15% com mais de 60 anos. Não houve diferença relevante no número de internações entre o sexo masculino e o feminino (46% e 53% respectivamente). Indivíduos de cor de pele parda foram os mais acometidos, com 57,4% das internações. Quanto aos óbitos, 60% ocorreram no sexo masculino e 40% no feminino, sendo que 90% eram idosos e 10% em crianças na primeira infância. Não houve óbitos registrados em recém-nascidos, lactentes, adolescentes e adultos. Dentre os municípios da Bahia, Salvador obteve 98 internações (40%), seguido por Barra com 44 (20%) e Itabuna com 28 (12%), sendo que a somatória de todos os internamentos das outras cidades baianas foi de 51 (23%). Os dados obtidos do DATASUS evidenciaram ainda que na comparação com os 9 estados da região Nordeste, a Bahia representou o estado com a terceira maior taxa de mortalidade pela doença (4,5%), ficando atrás do Rio Grande do Norte (7,4%) e da Paraíba (6,25%). Conclusão: Crianças na primeira infância e idosos apresentaram maior vulnerabilidade à Cólera na Bahia, fazendo-se necessárias medidas de promoção à saúde, prevenção e tratamento direcionados para essas faixas etárias, além de políticas públicas visando enfrentamento desta patologia em todo o estado.

Introdução/Objetivo: A pele é considerada o maior órgão do corpo humano. Ela exerce importante função de barreira entre o organismo e o meio externo, além de atuar despertando sensações e traduzindo a impressão social de cada indivíduo. Pode ser acometida por afecções a ela restritas ou apresentar manifestações clínicas de alterações sistêmicas. As doenças infecciosas da pele são frequentes e constituem importantes causas de demanda aos serviços de saúde. Assim, o objetivo desse estudo foi descrever as características epidemiológicas de pacientes internados por infecção de pele, entre 2012 e 2022, no estado da Bahia, comparando-as com a região Nordeste. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo epidemiológico descritivo, retrospectivo e quantitativo, cujos dados foram obtidos no Sistema de Informação Hospitalar do Sistema Único de Saúde (SIH-SUS) e transferidos para análise quantitativa no software Excel. A população do estudo foi constituída por pacientes com infecção de pele internados no período dezembro de 2012 a novembro de 2022. As variáveis foram ano de atendimento, regime hospitalar, idade, sexo, raça/cor correlacionando com internações, tempo de permanência e óbito. Por se tratar de um banco de domínio público, não foi necessário submeter o projeto ao Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa. Resultados: No período analisado, a Bahia foi responsável por 62.822 das 248.316 internações no Nordeste, sendo o maior número concentrado no ano de 2019 (17.133). O tempo médio de permanência hospitalar foi de 6,94 dias. O regime de atendimento predominante foi o público, cerca de 20,59%, contra 7,79%, do serviço privado. Além disso, a faixa etária dominante foi entre 1 e 4 anos, com menor prevalência de internamentos de pacientes com 80 anos ou mais. O gênero mais frequente foi o masculino, com 55,65% e 57,01%, na Bahia e no Nordeste, respectivamente. Com relação à distribuição de raça/cor, a mais prevalente foi preta e parda. Ademais, comparando-se a região Nordeste, a Bahia é o segundo estado com maior número de hospitalizações. Entretanto, ao observar o número de óbitos, a Bahia se destaca. Conclusão: Nesse contexto, é possível notar que a Bahia é o estado com maior número de óbitos por infecções de pele no Nordeste, mesmo não apresentando o maior quantitativo de internações. Além disso, no perfil epidemiológico dos internamentos predominam pacientes pediátricos, masculinos, pretos e pardos que foram atendidos pelos serviços públicos.

Introdução/Objetivo: Descrever e comparar as características epidemiológicas de internações por Hanseníase entre 2012 e 2022 no estado da Bahia e no Nordeste. Metodologia: Realizou-se um estudo epidemiológico, descritivo, retrospectivo e quantitativo, cujos dados foram alcançados por meio de consulta no Sistema de Informação Hospitalar do Sistema Único de Saúde (SIH-SUS), através do Departamento de Informática do Sistema Único de Saúde (DATASUS). A população do estudo foi formada por pacientes com hanseníase no período de dezembro de 2012 a novembro de 2022. As informações coletadas foram entregues ao banco de dados eletrônico no software Excel para análise quantitativa. As variáveis exploradas foram internações, regime, faixa etária, sexo, raça e correlacionando com dias de permanência, óbito e taxa de mortalidade. Ademais, buscou-se comparar os dados obtidos no estado da Bahia com os encontrados na região Nordeste. O projeto não foi submetido ao Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa por se tratar de um banco de domínio público. Resultado: Foram notificadas 12.681 internações por hanseníase no Nordeste, sendo 1.514 na Bahia (11,9% da região), o que coloca o estado em terceiro lugar nesta variável, atrás de Pernambuco e Maranhão. Predominaram pacientes do sexo masculino (62,9%) e (67,6%); de cor parda (38,4%) e (41,6%); com faixa etária entre 30 e 59 anos (56,0%) e (51,7%); e o regime de atendimento público (75,3%) e (80,5%) na Bahia e no Nordeste, respectivamente. O tempo de permanência das internações foi de 12. 835 dias no estado baiano, enquanto que na região foi de 119.487 dias em média. Quanto aos óbitos, a Bahia apresentou um número de 55, o que representa 19,2% do registrado no Nordeste, sendo a taxa de mortalidade no estado de 3,65 (segunda maior da região). Conclusão: Constatou-se perfil clínico-epidemiológico semelhante para ambos os locais abordados. Entretanto, o número de pacientes com Hanseníase continua alto e chama a atenção para o fortalecimento das ações de controle epidemiológico para esta enfermidade, como, por exemplo, as que dizem respeito a políticas de educação em saúde direcionadas para regiões em situação de risco, já que o difícil acesso a informações e serviços podem favorecer o surgimento de casos mais graves devido ao diagnóstico tardio. Estudos como este, que traçam o perfil clínico-epidemiológico de pacientes com Hanseníase, favorecem o planejamento de estratégias mais direcionadas para a realidade estudada.

A meningite viral (MV) é uma doença infecciosa que afeta as membranas que envolvem o cérebro e a medula espinhal1. No Brasil, a incidência desse tipo de meningite é significativa, incluindo o estado da Bahia2. Diversos vírus, como Herpes simplex e Varicela-zóster podem causar MV3. Um diagnóstico preciso é essencial para orientar o tratamento adequado e evitar o uso desnecessário de antibióticos sendo o conhecimento das tendências epidemiológicas fundamental para tal4. Realizamos uma análise retrospectiva dos casos de MV notificados no estado da Bahia entre os anos de 2013 e 2022. Os dados foram obtidos a partir do Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (SINAN) e incluíram informações demográficas, faixa etária, sexo e número de casos por ano. Por fim, levando em consideração o número de casos registrados e a população do Estado da Bahia em cada ano, foi calculada a incidência acumulativa e uma curva de tendência por ano avaliado por meio do programa Excel. Foram avaliados dados epidemiológicos de um total de 1.361 casos de MV. A principal faixa etária afetada foi de 10 a 14 anos, com um total de 198 internamentos. A análise por sexo mostrou uma incidência de 743 casos no sexo masculino e 618 casos no sexo feminino. Ao analisar as tendências temporais, entre os anos de 2013 e 2022 uma redução de -69,58% na incidência cumulativa. No ano de 2021, houve um desvio considerável em relação aos valores preditos pela curva de tendência, registrando-se apenas 23 casos, enquanto a previsão apontava aproximadamente 80 casos. Em 2022 houve um aumento de 380% em relação ao número de casos registrados no ano anterior. Redução significativa da incidência cumulativa de meningite viral (MV) na Bahia (-69,58%) durante o período analisado. Queda considerável em 2021, com redução de 71% em relação à taxa esperada. Medidas de prevenção da Covid-19 podem ter contribuído para o controle da MV, reduzindo novos casos devido à transmissão favorecida pelo contato social. Aumento da incidência em 2022 (380%) sugere o fim das medidas de isolamento social, indicando um possível retorno às tendências pré-pandêmicas. Os dados revelam uma redução significativa na incidência de meningite viral na Bahia ao longo dos anos e, recentemente amplificadas, possivelmente, devido às medidas de prevenção adotadas durante a pandemia de Covid-19

Introduction: Postoperative pediatric cerebellar mutism syndrome (POPCMS) is a significant complication observed after posterior fossa surgery for tumors, particularly in pediatric neurosurgery. This paper presents a literature review on the physiopathology, diagnosis, treatment, and long-term outcomes of POPCMS. Methods: A systematic review following PRISMA guidelines, searching for articles published in PubMed, Web of Science, and Lilacs in the last ten years. Inclusion criteria involved studies on human subjects under 18 years of age, focusing on the pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of POPCMS. Results: The review identified 34 studies on POPCMS for final inclusion. Preoperative risk factors commonly associated with cerebellar mutism included midline tumor location, diagnosis of medulloblastoma, younger age at diagnosis, preoperative language impairment, brainstem infiltration, and tumor histology. The SHH subgroup was found to reduce the risk of CMS. Diagnostic criteria for POPCMS included language impairment, emotional lability, hypotonia, oropharyngeal dysfunction, dysphagia, cerebellar motor syndrome, cerebellar cognitive affective syndrome, and brainstem dysfunction. Treatment approaches varied, with medications showing potential benefits. Rehabilitation options for speech and language deficits were limited. Cognitive remediation programs showed promise in improving academic achievement and attention. A significant proportion of patients experienced clinical improvement. Conclusion: POPCMS remains a challenging complication following posterior fossa surgery. Further research is needed to develop standardized diagnostic criteria, effective treatments, and rehabilitation strategies to improve long-term outcomes for patients with POPCMS.

Posterior fossa tumors account for approximately half of the central nervous system tumors in children. Major technological advances, mainly in the fields of molecular biology and neuroimaging, have modified their classification, leading to a more detailed description of these entities. Certain modifications in the general nomenclature introduced by the 2021 WHO classification of tumors of the CNS have an impact on how we approach the posterior fossa tumors described in this study. The focus of this annual special issue is posterior fossa tumors in children. There were several emerging technologies and approaches in the diagnosis and treatment of posterior fossa tumors in children. It's important to note that medical technology and research are continually evolving, so there may have been further advancements in this field since then. Here are some promising technologies and strategies that were being explored: Advanced Imaging Techniques: Functional MRI (fMRI): This technology helps in mapping the brain's functional areas, allowing surgeons to plan their approach more accurately and minimize damage to critical brain regions. Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI): DTI provides information on the brain's white matter tracts, aiding surgeons in preserving essential neural pathways during surgery. Spectroscopy: It helps in identifying tumor types and differentiating between tumor tissue and healthy brain tissue. Surgical Navigation Systems: The use of advanced navigation systems during surgery allows for precise tumor localization and safer tumor removal, minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. Brain Ultrasound and iMRI: Some hospitals are equipped with iMRI suites that allow real-time imaging during surgery. Most common brain ultrasound helps a lot during the posterior fossa surgery and can use simultaneously with neuronavigation system. Minimally Invasive Techniques: Minimally invasive procedures, such as endoscopic surgery, are being explored for certain types of posterior fossa tumors. These techniques can reduce recovery times and complications. Intraoperative monitoring (IOM), also known as intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM), is a critical technique used during certain surgeries to monitor the nervous system's function in real-time. It helps surgeons and medical teams assess the integrity of neural structures, particularly the brain and spinal cord, during surgical procedures. Genomic and Molecular Analysis: Advances in genomic and molecular analysis of tumors can provide insights into the specific genetic mutations driving the tumor's growth. This information can help guide treatment decisions, including targeted therapies. Radiation Therapy Advancements: Techniques like proton therapy and stereotactic radiosurgery are being used to precisely target tumors while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue, which is especially important in pediatric cases. Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy approaches, such as checkpoint inhibitors, are being investigated for their potential in treating certain types of posterior fossa tumors in children. These therapies aim to harness the body's immune system to fight the tumor. Personalized Medicine: Tailoring treatment plans to the individual characteristics of each patient's tumor is becoming increasingly important. This includes considering factors such as tumor genetics, location, and the child's overall health. Telemedicine and Remote Consultations: Telemedicine technologies enable pediatric neuro-oncologists to collaborate with experts worldwide, improving the quality of care, especially in regions with limited access to specialized healthcare. This special issue covers the different aspects of posterior fossa tumors surgery. We wish to thank all the authors for their tremendous contributions, and we hope that you will have the same interest and pleasure to read this special issue as we have had to edit it.

The relationship between Design and Engineering has not its genesis in the 20th century. But it was in this century that the advantage of this association was perceived and came into existence. From the beginning of mass production in the early twentieth century came the need for bringing the two disciplines together: Design and Engineering. Although Design and Engineering are two separate and independent disciplines, much of their applied field overlaps. The automotive product design and industry is a common ground where Design and Engineering strive to achieve, together, a common final product: the automobile. This article aims to discuss how the development of the automobile throughout the 20th and 21st centuries was driven by Design and Engineering, opening the way for a deeper debate on the definition of this interaction. A definition for the Product Development methodology from the Engineering and Design point of view is described, as well as the role of the Design and Engineering disciplines within the automotive product development. Methodologically, a historically relevant case study in the development of the automobile product is presented.

Background: The MAGGIC risk score has been validated to predict mortality in patients with heart failure (HF). Objectives: To assess the score ability to predict hospitalization and death and to compare with natriuretic peptides. Methods: Ninety-three consecutive patients (mean age 62±10 years) with chronic HF and left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) 1000 pg/mL (p=0.014) and the MAGGIC score (p=0.025) were independently associated with the primary outcome. Conclusion: The MAGGIC risk score was an independent predictor of events, including heart failure hospitalization. The addition of biomarkers improved the accuracy of the score. Resumo: Fundamento: O score de risco MAGGIC foi validado para predizer mortalidade em pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca (IC). Objetivos: Avaliar a capacidade do score de predizer hospitalização e óbito e comparar com peptídeos natriuréticos. Métodos: Foram estudados 93 pacientes consecutivos (idade média 62 ± 10 anos) com IC crónica e fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo (FE) 1000 pg/mL (p=0,014) e o score MAGGIC (p=0,025) foram independentemente associados ao desfecho primário. Conclusão: O score de risco MAGGIC foi um preditor independente de eventos, incluindo hospitalização por insuficiência cardíaca. A adição de biomarcadores melhorou sua acurácia.

Renal replacement therapies are frequently used in the intensive care unit, most often in patients with severe acute kidney injury, a common complication in this setting. The choice of a prolonged intermittent renal replacement therapy (PIRRT) has grown in its popularity. Nevertheless, not all clinicians are familiar with it. The most frequently performed PIRRT is sustained low-efficiency dialysis. The aim of this article is to review the sustained low-efficiency dialysis technique, namely the necessary machinery, the prescription specificities, its complications and the particularities related to intoxications and drug dosing. Lastly, when to start sustained low-efficiency dialysis and its advantages and disadvantages over intermittent hemodialysis and continuous renal replacement therapies is discussed.

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) has a high economic and social impact on the family dynamics, particularly among children. High-quality and comprehensive epidemiological studies about TBI in this population are limited worldwide, specifically in Latin America. Therefore, this study aimed to elucidate the epidemiology of TBI among children in Brazil and its effects on the public health system. Methods: This epidemiological (cohort) retrospective study collected data from the Brazilian healthcare database between 1992 and 2021. Results: The mean annual volume of hospital admission (HA) due to TBI in Brazil was 29,017. Moreover, the incidence of TBI in the paediatric population was 45.35 admissions per 100,000 inhabitants/year. Furthermore, approximately 941 paediatric hospital deaths per year were caused by TBI, with an in-hospital lethality rate of 3.21%. The average annual financial transfer for TBI was 12,376,628 USD, and the mean cost per admission was 417 USD. In addition, the mean length of hospital stay was 4.2 days. Notably, the length of stay in the hospital was longer among males, Afro-Brazilians patients and individuals aged 15–19 years. Conclusion: Paediatric TBI is an important public health issue worldwide with high social and economic costs. The incidence of paediatric TBI in Brazil is similar to that in developing countries. Moreover, male predominance (2.3:1) was observed in relation paediatric TBI. Notably, during the pandemic, the incidence of paediatric HA has decreased. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first epidemiological study that specifically evaluates paediatric TBI in Latin America.

Clinical data are essential in the medical domain. However, their heterogeneous nature leads to many data quality problems, notably missing values, which undermine the performance of Machine Learning-based clinical systems. Hence, there has been a growing interest in strategies that address this challenge in order to build trustworthy systems to improve the quality of care and benefit clinical decision-making. In particular, missing value imputation is a common approach. This paper proposes three novel imputation techniques that leverage correlation in an innovative manner by exploring the relationship between values and missingness patterns. Experiments were carried out on three publicly available datasets, under three missingness mechanisms with different missing rates, and on two real-world medical datasets. The imputation precision and the classification performance of the proposed techniques were evaluated in a comprehensive comparative study, which included diverse existing methods. The developed techniques outperformed state-of-the-art methods on several assessments while overcoming current flaws shared by correlation-based imputation strategies in real-world medical problems.

Introduction: Craniosynostosis are cranial deformities resulting from the early closure of one or more sutures. Concomitant facial changes usually result from the involvement of multiple sutures, which may lead to restriction of cranial growth and brain expansion, ocular compression, and breathing difficulties. The distraction osteogenesis (DO)for frontofacial or posterior advancement have increased the safety of the procedure. The aim of this study was a critical evaluation of the use of DO in the surgical treatment of syndromic craniosynostoses, based on the experience of a single craniofacial team. Methods: Retrospective review of third six patients operated from 2003 to 2022 by the same craniofacial team. Results: 19 boys and 17 girls were operated, all with rigid distractors. Twenty-nine of them underwent monobloc frontofacial advancement. In seven patient a Le-Fort III/subcranial advancement was performed. A posterior craniofacial advancement was performed in 5. In 11 a fronto-orbital advancement was done in the first year of life. The mean age was 6.0 years (range, 6 months to 13 years). All patients presented with some degree of exorbitism, upper airway obstruction and signs of intracranial hypertension. Cerebrospinal fluid leakage was the most frequent complication (9 cases), pterygomaxillary disjunction was revised in 8, lateral rim orbital fracture in 3 cases, and 3 complication related to the device. Conclusions: The evolution of surgical techniques allowed DO with rigid distractors to be an important tool for treating the craniofacial issues related to syndromic craniosynostoses. The multidisciplinary team's learning curve is critical to reducing complications associated with osteogenic distraction.

The field of pediatric neurosurgery is constantly evolving, and it is difficult to predict the exact future of the field. However, there are some trends and developments that are likely to shape the future of pediatric neurosurgery: -Advancements in technology: Technology is rapidly advancing, and this is likely to have a significant impact on pediatric neurosurgery. For example, robotic-assisted surgery is becoming increasingly common, which can improve precision and reduce the risk of complications. -Gene therapy: Gene therapy is a promising area of research that has the potential to revolutionize the treatment of many neurological disorders. In the future, gene therapy may be used to treat disorders such as brain tumors and epilepsy. -Stem cell therapy: Stem cells have the potential to differentiate into a wide range of cells, including neurons. This makes stem cell therapy a promising area of research for the treatment of neurological disorders. -Minimally invasive procedures: As technology advances, minimally invasive procedures are becoming increasingly common. These procedures typically involve smaller incisions, less scarring, and a faster recovery time. -Precision medicine: Precision medicine is an approach to healthcare that involves tailoring treatment to the specific needs of each patient. In the future, pediatric neurosurgeons may use precision medicine to develop personalized treatment plans for each patient. Overall, the future of pediatric neurosurgery looks promising, with advances in technology, gene therapy, stem cell therapy, minimally invasive procedures, and precision medicine likely to have a significant impact on the field. As the human author of this article, I would like to state that the majority of this article was written by ChatGPT. The use of chatbots and natural language processing (NLP) technology, such as generative pretrained transformer (GPT), has the potential to revolutionize the field of medical writing, albeit with caution. So, What is ChatGPT? ChatGPT is a type of artificial intelligence (AI) model developed by the company OpenAI and has been designed to generate human-like text. GPT is a type of language model, which means that it has been trained on a large dataset of text and is able to generate new text that is similar to the text it was trained on. It has been particularly successful in the field of NLP, which involves the development of computer systems that are able to understand, interpret, and generate human language (1). Currently, it is important to note that language models such as chatGPT are not yet able to fully replace human medical writers, as they do not have the same level of understanding and expertise in the field of medicine. In addition, the use of language models in medical writing raises ethical concerns, such as the potential for errors or biases in the generated text (2,3). There are factors that still need to be discussed at a deeper level such as ethics in scientific writing, medico-legal factors, accountability, accuracy, and transparency. In addition, the use of any AI tools such as ChatGPT should be transparently declared, similar to the general practice of acknowledging writing assistance in an article or study. These large language models can be a useful aid in scientific writing and editing, especially for non-native English speakers, and can even aid the author in adding accurately formatted references. However, authors should limit the use of these tools to topics that they are subject matter experts on to ensure that the information provided is accurate and up to date. No matter what AI tool is used, the authors remain responsible for the scientific integrity of their publications.

Objective: We investigated the associations between physical activity (PA) and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) with vascular health phenotypes in community-dwelling older adults.Methods: This cross-sectional study included 82 participants (66.8 ± 5.2 years; 81% females). Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was assessed using accelerometers, and CRF was measured using the distance covered in the 6-min walk test (6MWT). The vascular health markers were as follows: i) arterial function measured as aortic pulse wave velocity (aPWV) estimated using an automatic blood pressure device; and ii) arterial structure measured as the common carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT). Using a combination of normal cIMT and aPWV values, four groups of vascular health phenotypes were created: normal aPWV and cIMT, abnormal aPWV only, abnormal cIMT only, and abnormal aPWV and cIMT. Multiple linear regression was used to estimate the beta coefficients (β) and their respective 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) adjusting for BMI, and medication for diabetes, lipid, and hypertension, sex, age, and blood pressure.Results: Participants with abnormal aPWV and normal cIMT (β = −53.76; 95% CI = −97.73—−9.78 m; p = 0.017), and participants with both abnormal aPWV and cIMT (β = −71.89; 95% CI = −125.46—−18.31 m; p = 0.009) covered less distance in the 6MWT, although adjusting for age, sex and blood pressure decreased the strength of the association with only groups of abnormal aPWV and cIMT covering a lower 6MWT distance compared to participants with both normal aPWV and cIMT (β = −55.68 95% CI = −111.95–0.59; p = 0.052). No associations were observed between MVPA and the vascular health phenotypes.Conslusion: In summary, poor CRF, but not MVPA, is associated with the unhealthiest vascular health phenotype (abnormal aPWV/cIMT) in older adults.

Currently, fertilization decisions in apple orchards are based on soil and leaf analyses while the leaf material is sampled after the growing season, usually in June–July (90–110 days after full bloom). This approach is inefficient, as the information becomes available later than the growing season and is therefore only useful in supporting fertilization decisions for the next year, not the current one. To establish a method that provides useful information for fertilization decisions earlier in the growth cycle, our research focused on the assessment of the nutrient content of petiole sap using different methods, the standard method and the rapid method using a reflectometer. For this study, in 2021, four ‘Gala’ orchards were fertilized with different N–P–K levels. Macro and micronutrients were determined in leaves and petiole sap at 45 and 90–110 days after full bloom (DAFB) using standard laboratory methods and the reflectometer. When leaf analysis at 45 and 90–110 DAFB was compared with petiole sap analysis at the same time point, no significant correlations were found between the nutrient contents in leaf material and petiole sap, with the exception of calcium. However, positive results were obtained regarding the correlation between reflectometer determination and standard laboratory analyses. The regression analysis revealed high determination coefficients for N-NO3− (R2 = 0.703), K+ (R2 = 0.705), Ca2+ (R2 = 0.715), and Mg2+ (R2 = 0.780) between standard laboratory methods and the reflectometer. These results suggest that the reflectometer enables a real-time diagnostic tool for monitoring nutrient status throughout the growth cycle, particularly key nutrients related to fruit quality. The N–P–K fertilization strategies had no influence on the nutrient content of leaves or petiole sap. The nutrient content of both sample types varied depending on the orchard.

Abstract This work addresses one of the major challenges in the field of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), which is related to UAV navigation in 3‐dimensional indoor environments. This topic is highly relevant due to limited‐to‐no availability of satellite signals that are usually the main sources used to govern the movement of UAVs in outdoor environments. Instead, the algorithm proposed in this work resorts to terrestrial radio measurements between the UAV and a set of stationary reference points to accomplish accurate navigation. The radio measurements are first exploited to give origin to range information that is used to calculate intersection points between a suitable subset of spheres, which serve as a coarse estimate of the UAV's position. From the intersection points, both azimuth and elevation angle estimates are obtained at each reference point. Finally, by taking advantage of estimated bearing information and applying simple geometry, the localisation problem is formulated according to the Weighted Least Squares (WLS) criterion and solved in closed form. The authors’ simulation results show good performance of the proposed approach, matching or even outperforming the state‐of‐the‐art methods in terms of localisation accuracy with significantly lower computational complexity.

IntroductionLegionnaires’ Disease is a pneumonia caused by Legionella spp., currently treated empirically with fluoroquinolones and macrolides. In this study, we aim to describe the antibiotic susceptibility pattern of environmental Legionella recovered in the south of Portugal.MethodsMinimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) determination of 57 Legionella isolates (10 Lp sg 1, 32, Lp sg 2-14 15 L. spp) was achieved by broth microdilution, as described by EUCAST, for azithromycin, clarithromycin, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, and doxycycline. ResultsFluoroquinolones were the most active antibiotic, displaying the lowest MIC values in contrast to doxycycline which had the highest. MIC90 and epidemiological cut-off (ECOFF) values were, respectively, 0.5/1 mg/L for azithromycin, 0.125/0.25 mg/L for clarithromycin, 0.064/0.125 mg/L for ciprofloxacin, 0.125/0.125 mg/L for levofloxacin and 16/32 mg/L for doxycycline.DiscussionMIC distributions were higher than reported by EUCAST for all antibiotics. Interestingly, two phenotypically resistant isolates with high-level quinolone resistance were identified. This is the first time that MIC distributions, lpeAB and tet56 genes have been investigated in Portuguese environmental isolates of Legionella.

A scientific journal’s greatest responsibility is to ensure that all contributions accepted for publications are rigorously but fairly reviewed. The Editor-in-Chief and Archives of Pediatric Neurosurgery gratefully acknowledge the qualified and regular collaboration of renowned medical doctors and scientists who kindly devoted their time to constructively review the submitted articles. Their expertise and invaluable assistance contributed to maintain a high scientific standard for APN. We are thus indebted to the Editorial Board members and the following experts who reviewed papers and completed the peer-reviewing process within 2022.

Archives of Pediatric Neurosurgery, the official journal of the Brazilian Society of Pediatric Neurosurgery, was established in 2019 and, since then, has had exponential growth! From our first indexing at Google Academics to Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature (LILACS), in which we are in the final validation process, much has been built and worked in our journal. Since 2019 we received 117 papers and published 88 articles. In the last year, we had a rejection rate of 19% with 23 days to the first editorial decision. In 2022 we successfully experimented with a new formula, publishing two special issues with 10 papers in each: Craniofacial and Arachnoid cyst. Besides that, 2022 was a year of international growth. This year we published many articles from China, Egypt, Malaysia, and Mexico! We also evolved in digital technology by inserting the platform in the "Lepidus" administrator and submission by FORMS, which improved the entire system's performance. On this special occasion, the editorial office would like to extend their greatest appreciation to all editors, and reviewers who have been supportive, and devoted much of their time and effort to nurturing APN. The journal, in particular, would like to thank the authors for submitting their papers to APN. The editorial board thanks you, and the work continues so that we can reach new indexing bases and consolidate as a reference in Word Pediatric neurosurgery. Let's grow together!! Happy New year and long life for everyone! Regard to the last 12 months: -MOST DOWNLOADED PDF ARTICLE: Jucá et al. Prenatal myelomeningocele repair: report of an inaugural case and considerations about the implementation of a new fetal neurosurgery program -MOST READ ABSTRACT: De Paula et al. Shaken Baby Syndrome: literature review in the last 5 years -2020-21 Impact factor 0.24

Introduction: Nonsyndromic craniosynostosis (NC) is more commonly encountered than syndromic cases in pediatric craniofacial surgery. Affected children display characteristic phenotypes according to the suture or sutures involved. This study aims to report a single surgeon experience with surgery for primary craniosynostosis correction. Methods: A retrospective review was carried out including all cases performed by the same surgeon between 2001 and 2021. The clinical data of 356 patients (371 surgeries) with primary craniosynostosis that have undergone surgery were retrospectively analyzed. Results: There were 232 (65.1%) males and 124 (34.9%) females, with most of the male preponderance occurring due to the trigonocephaly (86%) and scaphocephaly (84.5%) groups. A female predominance was observed only in brachycephaly group (64.8%). There was a statistically significant male predominance between non-syndromic versus syndromic cases (p=0.0001). The most frequent forms in non-syndromic forms were scaphocephaly in 136 (51.5%), trigonocephaly in 48 (18.1%), anterior plagiocephaly in 47 (17.8%), and brachycephaly in 35 (13.2%). A named syndrome was present in 57 (16%). Genetic syndromes presented more commonly than expected with bilateral synostosis, the Kleeblattschadel deformity, and multiple suture synostosis (p=0.001). Complications were observed in 15 (4.2%). Intraoperative hemorrhage and CSF leakage were the most common ones. Morbidity was significantly associated with monobloc fronto-facial advancement. The mean follow-up was 3.7 years (9 months to 22 years). Morphological results in NC were classified in category I in 210 (70.2%), II in 82 (27.9%), and III in 7 (1.9%) cases for NC. Conclusions: Non-syndromic craniosynostosis can be corrected with good outcomes and relatively low morbidity and mortality. For syndromic cases a multidisciplinary team is fundamental to archieve satisfactory results.

Silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrixi) was processed by sous-vide method at different temperatures (60, 65, 70, and 75°C). Then, the microbiological quality of the processed samples was monitored during cold storage (4°C) for 21 days. The target microorganisms were Enterobacteriaceae, Lactic Acid bacteria (LAB), Pseudomonas, Psychrotrophs, and total viable count (TVC). In samples processed at 75°C, the presence of Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas and Psychrotrophs were not detectable up to 15 days of storage and lactic acid bacteria were not detectable even at the end of the storage period. A radial basis function neural network (RBFNN) model was established to predict the changes in the microbial content of silver carp. In this step, the relationship between processing temperature and storage duration on microbial growth was modeled by ANNs (artificial neural networks). The optimal ANN topology for modeling Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas, and Psychrotroph contained 9 neurons in the hidden layer, but it contained 15 and 14 neurons for TVC and LAB, respectively. By experimenting with the temperature of -80°C, it was revealed that the obtained ANN model has a high potential for prediction.

This study aimed at analyzing the applicability of commercially pure titanium grade 2 (Cp) in cranial implants produced by incremental sheet forming (ISF) subjected to photofunctionalization via UV LED. ISF and heat treatment were used to meet the expected implant dimensions and3D scanning to determine the best result between the 3D model and the final prosthesis. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis to understand the behavior of samples before and after photofunctionalization. The wettability angle was used to assess the effectiveness of photofunctionalization. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was applied to verify the chemical behavior of the sample. The prosthesis can be obtained in the best possible manner to meet the requirements of the patient's model. UV irradiation was effective in wettability tests while XPS and SEM analysis showed a considerable decline in the number of hydrocarbons and an increase in TiOH and TiO2 groups. Photofunctionalization has proved to be a valid method in reducing contamination, with different results in dental implants. The objective here was to amplify this process, lowering the costs by developing a photofunctionalization device that can be expanded to cranial implant applications.

Este trabalho tem como objetivo analisar a forma de governança do cluster do mel em Santana do Livramento. Para tal, realiza-se um estudo de caso. Os dados foram coletados a partir de entrevistas semi-estruturadas e interpretados pela análise de conteúdo. Os resultados indicam que a governança possui estrutura heterárquica; fragilidade na função de coordenação do agrupamento; objetivos como o associativismo, a criação de um novo entreposto e de uma cooperativa; mecanismo pelo contrato formal e informal. Os principais agentes de governança são os fornecedores, os apicultores e a Associação Santanense de Apicultores (ASA); são requisitos o espírito colaborativo, por parte da diretoria, e a confiança, para alguns entrevistados, mas também há desunião no grupo. De forma geral, sugere-se o fortalecimento das relações entre os agentes do cluster.

Abstract Objective So far, at least 18 different severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 vaccines have been approved. Until October 2022, 12.8 billion doses had been administered all over the world. Vaccination of high-risk groups and healthcare professionals was initially prioritized. This cross-sectional survey aimed to investigate the occurrence of vaccine side effects, as well as the incidence of COVID-19 among vaccinated healthcare professionals. Methods A survey was structured and shared with healthcare professionals using a digital platform to collect data between May and June 2021. Results This study included 6,115 participants. The most prevalent age group was 30-39 years (31.3%), 67.3% were female and 73.2% accounted for physicians, and nearly half worked in frontline care for COVID-19. Approximately, two-thirds of them were vaccinated with CoronaVac, and about 60% reported at least one side effect following the vaccination. Nevertheless, minor reactions were more frequent, such as pain at site of injection, fatigue, and headache. Our data could be used to inform people on the likelihood of side effects of COVID-19 vaccines, particularly CoronaVac, since this is the largest study about vaccine reactions using this vaccine, to our best knowledge. Conclusion The incidence of side effects in Brazilian healthcare professionals was 60%, and the most common side effects included local swelling/pain, fatigue/tiredness, fever, headache, and limb pain.

ABSTRACT Background: Meningiomas are the most frequent primary central nervous system (CNS) tumors. Their geographical and ethnic characteristics need to be known, in order to enable rational treatment. Objective: To investigate clinical and epidemiological aspects in a series of patients with meningiomas. Methods: Retrospective analysis on the demographic profile, location and histopathology of 993 patients with meningiomas (768 operated and 225 not operated). Results: Meningiomas represented 43.8% of the primary CNS tumors; 6.8% were multiple tumors (14.7% with neurofibromatosis 2) and 0.6% were radiation-induced tumors. The mean ages were 53.0 and 63.9 years for operated and non-operated patients and the female/male ratios were 3.2:1 and 6.3:1. Diagnosis was made later among females. The peak incidences were in the 6th and 7th decades respectively for operated and non-operated patients. The incidence was low at early ages and higher among patients aged 70+ years. The meningiomas were intracranial in 96.5% and most were WHO grade I (88.9%) and transitional. In the spinal canal (3.5%), they occurred mainly in the dorsal region (all grade I; mostly transitional). The racial distribution was 1.0% in Asian-Brazilians, 87% in Caucasians and 12% in African-Brazilians. 83.4% and 51.6% of the patients were estimated to be recurrence-free at 10 and 20 years, and the mortality rate was 3%. Conclusions: Most of the demographic data were similar to what has been observed in other western centers. Differences were higher incidence of meningiomas, female and older predominance in non-operated patients, predominance in Caucasian, and higher association with neurofibromatosis 2.

The Ria Formosa, Southern Portugal (Algarve) is a mesotidal lagoon with restricted exchange with Atlantic Ocean. Due to arid Mediterranean climate and absence of large freshwater inputs, the lagoon remains hypersaline relative to adjacent ocean (≥37 psu). Generally, fecal coliforms and land-derived bacteria do not survive long in seawater due to UV, osmotic shock, oligotrophy and competition with marine bacteria. However, survival of human pathogenic viruses in natural waters remains relatively unknown. In view of 2020–2021 SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, this preliminary study aimed to estimate potential contamination by wastewater and persistence in marine environment. Five sampling campaigns (45 total samples) were completed in 2020 and 2021 at three stations in the lagoon, as well as inflow and outflow from three wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Despite relatively high fecal contamination at lagoon stations, SARS-CoV-2 could not be detected in surface waters using improved methodology. Untreated wastewaters were positive at Faro-Aeroporto 21/10/2020, 14/12/2020, 08/03/2021; Vilamoura 21/10/2020, 14/12/2020; Olhão 14/12/2020. All treated wastewaters were negative, as well as environmental samples. Highest viral titers were observed in Faro-Aeroporto WWTP on 8 March 2021 (1.35 x 105 genomic copies L−1) coinciding with peak SARS-CoV-2 cumulative positive cases in Algarve (2.03 x 104), yet SARS-CoV-2 was not detected in Vilamoura and Olhão raw wastewater then. Thus, the contamination potential of SARS-CoV-2 seemed non-existent in the Ria Formosa during peak pandemic surges in Algarve. However, predicted climate change and its impact on microbial populations remains a challenge to be addressed by both health and tourist authorities.

The first edition of the Archives of Pediatric Neurosurgery (APN) was released in September 2019. Since then we have completed the 10th edition. There were 108 submissions receives (44/year), with a rejection rate of 20%. Archives of Pediatric Neurosurgery is the first open access electronic-only journal in pediatric neurosurgery, and also we are on social media as Facebook, Instagram and Tweeter. APN is the only journal specialized in Pediatric Neurosurgery in Latin America and Mexico. We have different types of publication highlighted the original papers, review, clinical case, video clinical case, and clinical video lecture. The Archives of Pediatric Neurosurgery is a triannual peer-reviewed medical online journal and was recognized in September 2020 as the official publication of the Brazilian Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery. In addition, the internal regulation (by-laws) was approved during the 2021 SBNPed Business Meeting. Some statistics related to APN (2019-2022): MOST DOWNLOADED PDF ARTICLE: Dezena et al. Anatomy of the ventricular system: Historical and morphological aspects MOST READ ABSTRACT: De Paula et al. Shaken Baby Syndrome: literature review in the last 5 years MOST CITED ARTICLE: de Oliveira RS, Ballestero MFM. The Covid-19 Outbreak and Pediatric Neurosurgery guidelines All articles are available online and free license to open access and download. All the papers were peer-reviewed (Figure 1). During this period, we included a specialized consultancy and we were able to index the APN in several indexing bases: DOAJ, Google Scholar, Cengage, REDIB, Crossref, Dimensions, J-Gate, and BASE. DOAJ is the most important community-driven, open access service in the world and has a reputation for advocating best practices and standards in open access. DOAJ indexing has brought recognition of a correct and well-structured work On this special occasion the editorial office would like to extend their greatest appreciation to all editors, and reviewers who have been supportive, and devoted much of their time and effort in nurturing APN. The journal, in particular, would like to thank the authors for submitting their papers to APN. We organized two editions in 2022 focusing on craniofacial and arachnoid cysts. Based on data from Google Analytics, APN is gaining momentum and attracting interest from readers. The number of accesses to abstracts has been increasing progressively since 2019 (Figure 1). The editorial board thanks you and the work continues so that we can reach new indexing bases and consolidate as a reference in pediatric neurosurgery. Recently, the Brazilian Neurosurgery Society recognized the importance of APN by supporting the project. Happy Birthday Archives of Pediatric Neurosurgery! A long life for everyone!

Hydrocephalus is a common central nervous system (CNS) disorder in which there is an excess of cerebrospinal fluid within the cerebral ventricles, leading to their dilation. There are several pathologies that lead to this scenario: cerebral aqueduct stenosis, congenital malformations, cerebral neoplasms, cerebral hemorrhages, traumatic brain injury and meningitis, while the signs and symptoms differ according to age, underlying disease, malformations or associated injuries, and intracranial pressure level. The invasive treatment routinely performed for hydrocephalus is the insertion of a drainage system, known as a bypass. The present report describe a case of a 4-year-old patient with a history of using multiple ventricular shunts with multiple complications which had as a definitive treatment a ventriculogallbladder shunt (VGB) technique, and was asymptomatic after 2 years of follow-up. VGB has a great indication factor, does not present physiological changes due to its absorption of CSF, manifests fewer complications during its use, and is controlled by radiography and USG. However, it is currently used in cases of ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VP) failure. A VGB placement carries the same risk of all inherent complications that can occur with a VP, including malfunction and infection. It can be concluded that a VGB is underestimated by most physicians as it is not a conventional method. Despite this, it should be an alternative to be considered in case of refractory patients and in the absence of effectiveness of other types of shunts.

Abstract The objective of this work was to determine pedotransfer functions to predict water retention at the -33 and -1500 kPa matric potentials of soils under Cerrado, in the south of the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. Samples (n=156) were collected for model calibration (n=124) and validation (n=32). A stepwise multiple regression was used to determine pedotransfer functions. Willmott’s index of agreement, root-mean-square error, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and the confidence index were used to evaluate the performance of the functions and to compare them with those described in the literature. The most efficient variables to estimate water retention were: microporosity, total sand, and clay at -33 kPa; and total sand, silt and clay at -1500 kPa. The regional pedotransfer functions explained more than 94% of water retention variance in the studied soils. The reliability of the functions to predict water retention increased, at -33 kPa, with the use of the structural property microporosity and, at -1500 kPa, with the use of granulometric parameters. The studied regional pedotransfer functions predict water retention at the -33 and -1500 kPa matric potentials of soils under Cerrado, in southern Mato Grosso, better than the functions described in the literature.