Search

BACKGROUND: Staphylococcus genus is widely spread in nature being part of the indigenous microbiota of skin and mucosa of animal and birds. Some Staphylococcus species are frequently recognized as etiological agents of many animal and human opportunistic infections This is the first report testing the antibiotic resistance-modifying activity of Turnera ulmifolia against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus--MRSA strain. METHODS: In this study an ethanol extract of Turnera ulmifolia L. and chlorpromazine were tested for their antimicrobial activity alone or in combination with aminoglycosides against an MRSA strain. RESULTS: The synergism of the ethanol extract and aminoglycosides were verified using microdillution method. A synergistic effect of this extract on gentamicin and kanamycin was demonstrated. Similarly, a potentiating effect of chlorpromazine on kanamycin, gentamicin and neomycin, indicating the involvement of an efflux system in the resistance to these aminoglycosides. CONCLUSION: It is therefore suggested that extracts from Turnera ulmifolia could be used as a source of plant-derived natural products with resistance-modifying activity, constituting a new weapon against the problem of bacterial resistance to antibiotics demonstrated in MRSA strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the radiation dose of chest computed tomography (CT) examinations of pediatric patients and the extent to which volume CT dose index (CTDIvol) underestimates radiation dose in comparison to size specific dose estimates (SSDE)., Methods: Single-center, retrospective study of consecutive unenhanced pediatric (age <18 years) chest CTs between October 2015 and October 2016. Radiation dose as well as demographic and clinical data were recorded from 133 chest CTs. Patients were grouped into 4 categories based on mean effective diameter of the chest. SSDE was generated for each patient according to the water equivalent and effective diameter and compared to CTDIvol. Factors associated with higher radiation doses were assessed., Results: CTDIvol underestimated radiation dose by 54.7%, 47.6%, 40.2%, and 31.2% (P < .001) for effective diameter groups 1 to 4, respectively, when compared to SSDE (calculated according to the water equivalent). When calculated according to the effective diameter, CTDIvol underestimated radiation dose by 47.6%, 39.4%, 27%, and 12.3% (P < .001) for effective diameter groups 1 to 4, respectively, when compared to SSDE. CT dose parameters, age, weight, Dw, and mean effective diameter were variables associated with higher radiation doses., Conclusion: CTDIvol systematically underestimated radiation dose in comparison to SSDE in pediatric patients submitted to chest CT and should not be used as the primary parameter to monitor CT protocols in these patients. SSDE calculated according to effective diameter also underestimates the radiation dose compared to SSDE calculated based on water equivalent., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

This study focuses on the biological impacts of deleting the telomerase RNA from Leishmania major (LeishTER), a parasite responsible for causing leishmaniases, for which no effective treatment or prevention is available. TER is a critical player in the telomerase ribonucleoprotein complex, containing the template sequence copied by the reverse transcriptase component during telomere elongation. The success of knocking out both LeishTER alleles was confirmed, and no off-targets were detected. LmTER -/- cells share similar characteristics with other TER-depleted eukaryotes, such as altered growth patterns and partial G0/G1 cell cycle arrest in early passages, telomere shortening, and elevated TERRA expression. They also exhibit increased γH2A phosphorylation, suggesting that the loss of LeishTER induces DNA damage signaling. Moreover, pro-survival autophagic signals and mitochondrion alterations were shown without any detectable plasma membrane modifications. LmTER -/- retained the ability to transform into metacyclics, but their infectivity capacity was compromised. Furthermore, the overexpression of LeishTER was also deleterious, inducing a dominant negative effect that led to telomere shortening and growth impairments. These findings highlight TER's vital role in parasite homeostasis, opening discussions about its potential as a drug target candidate against Leishmania., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors confirm that no financial or other relationship might lead to any potential competing interests., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

While the estimate of hospital costs concerns the past, its planning focuses on the future. However, in many low and middle-income countries, public hospitals do not have robust accounting health systems to evaluate and project their expenses. In Brazil, public hospitals are funded based on government estimates of available hospital infrastructure, historical expenditures and population needs. However, these pieces of information are not always readily available for all hospitals. To solve this challenge, we propose a flexible simulation-based optimisation algorithm that integrates this dual task: estimating and planning hospital costs. The method was applied to a network of 17 public hospitals in Brazil to produce the estimates. Setting the model parameters for population needs and future hospital infrastructure can be used as a cost-projection tool for divestment, maintenance, or investment. Results show that the method can aid health managers in hospitals' global budgeting and policymakers in improving fairness in hospitals' financing., (© 2024 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Maternal obesity is known to increase the risk of psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety, depression, schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder in the offspring. While preventive measures are well-documented, practical approaches for addressing the damages once they are already established are limited. We have recently demonstrated the interplay between maternal obesity and treatment with cannabidiol (CBD) on neuroinflammation and peripheral metabolic disturbances during adolescence, however, it is known that both factors tend to vary throughout life. Therefore, here we investigated the potential of CBD to mitigate these alterations in the adult offspring of obese dams. Female Wistar rats were fed a cafeteria diet for 12 weeks prior to mating, and during gestation and lactation. Offspring received CBD (50 mg/kg) for 3 weeks from the 70th day of life. Behavioral tests assessed anxiety-like manifestations and social behavior, while neuroinflammatory and endocannabinoid markers were evaluated in the hypothalamus, prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampus, as well as the biochemical profile in the plasma. CBD treatment attenuated maternal obesity-induced anxiety-like and social behavioral alterations, restoring exacerbated astrocytic and microglial markers in the hypothalamus, PFC and hippocampus of the offspring, as well as endocannabinoid levels in the PFC, with notable sex differences. Additionally, CBD attenuated plasma glucose and lipopolysaccharides (LPS) concentrations in females. These findings underscore the persistent influence of maternal obesity on the offspring's health, encompassing metabolic irregularities and behavioral impairments, as well as the role of the endocannabinoid system in mediating these outcomes across the lifespan., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no competing interests to declare., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease with significant global impact and a challenging diagnosis. The utilization of adequately validated rapid tests is relevant for the opportune identification of the disease and for reduction in fatality rates. The present study analyzes the accuracy and reliability of the Dual Path Platform (DPP) assay -produced in Brazil by the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz)- for diagnosing leptospirosis. Firstly, a serological panel was constructed in the Brazilian Reference Laboratory for Leptospirosis using samples routinely handled by reference laboratories of six Brazilian states. It consisted of 150 positive (according to MAT and IgM-ELISA) and 250 negative samples for leptospirosis. Subsequently, the panel samples were distributed to the reference laboratories for the performance of DPP assays in triplicate. Different measures were used in the assessment of diagnostic quality. Predictive values were estimated for different pre-test probability settings. Sensitivities varied between 67.33 % and 74.00 % and specificities between 93.20 % and 98.40 % in the states, and there were adequate agreements between them. Accuracies were lower for the samples of patients with less than 7 days of symptoms. In contexts of prevalence values up to around 25 %, positive and negative predictive values were around 90 %. However, in situations of high pre-test probabilities, NPVs were low. This study improves understanding of the use of DPP in diagnosing leptospirosis, particularly its application in healthcare settings. As long as the time of symptoms onset and clinical and epidemiological contexts are adequately considered for the interpretation of results, DPP is a valid option to be used in the leptospirosis diagnostic routine., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Metabolic syndrome refers to the coexistence of several known cardiovascular risk factors, including insulin resistance, obesity, atherogenic dyslipidemia, and hypertension. These conditions are interrelated and share underlying mediators, mechanisms, and pathways. Improvement in dietary habits has been shown to improve metabolic parameters in patients undergoing treatment with different diets., Methods: A systematic search in different databases was realized using the keywords "Metabolic syndrome", "X syndrome", "Dash dietary" and "Dash diet". Finally, six studies were included in this meta-analysis., Results: All articles comparing the DASH diet vs. other diet modalities reported significant differences in favor of the DASH diet on Systolic blood pressure (SBP) (standardized mean difference [SMD] = -8.06, confidence interval [CI] = -9.89 to -7.32, and p < 0.00001), Diastolic blood pressure (SMD = -6.38, CI = -7.62 to -5.14, and p < 0.00001), Cholesterol HDL (SMD = 0.70, CI = 0.53 to 0.88, and p < 0.00001) and Cholesterol LDL (SMD = -1.29, CI = -1.73 to -0.85, and p < 0.00001) scales., Conclusions: The DASH diet has been shown to be beneficial in altered parameters in patients with MS, and the resulting improvements can significantly affect the daily health of these patients. We therefore recommend that professionals who manage these pathologies promote the use of the DASH diet for the management of specific symptoms., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) represents one of the deadliest cancers among all solid tumors. First-line treatment relies on gemcitabine (Gem) and despite treatment improvements, refractoriness remains a universal challenge. Attempts to decipher how feedback-loops control signaling pathways towards drug resistance have gained attention in recent years, particularly focused on the role of phosphatases. In this study, a CRISPR/Cas9-based phenotypic screen was performed to identify members from the dual-specificity phosphatases (DUSP) family potentially acting on Gem response in PDAC cells. The approach revealed the atypical RNA phosphatase DUSP11 as a potential target, whose inhibition creates vulnerability of PDAC cells to Gem. DUSP11 genetic inhibition impaired cell survival and promoted apoptosis, synergistically enhancing Gem cytotoxicity. In silico transcriptome analysis of RNA-seq data from PDAC human samples identified NF-ĸB signaling pathway highly correlated with DUSP11 upregulation. Consistently, Gem-induced NF-ĸB phosphorylation was blocked upon DUSP11 inhibition in vitro. Mechanistically, we found that DUSP11 directly impacts nc886 expression and modulates PKR-NF-ĸB signaling cascade after Gem exposure in PDAC cells resulting in resistance to Gem-induced cell death. In conclusion, this study provides new insights on DUSP11 role in RNA biology and Gem response in PDAC cells., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature America, Inc.)

Circadian rhythm (CR) disturbances are among the most commonly observed symptoms during major depressive disorder, mostly in the form of disrupted sleeping patterns. However, several other measurable parameters, such as plasma hormone rhythms and differential expression of circadian clock genes (ccgs), are also present, often referred to as circadian phase markers. In the recent years, CR disturbances have been recognized as an essential aspect of depression; however, most of the known animal models of depression have yet to be evaluated for their eligibility to model CR disturbances. In this study, we investigate the potential of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-treated animals as a disease model for research in CR disturbances in treatment-resistant depression. For this purpose, we evaluate the changes in several circadian phase markers, including plasma concentrations of corticosterone, ACTH, and melatonin, as well as gene expression patterns of 13 selected ccgs at 3 different time points, in both peripheral and central tissues. We observed no impact on plasma corticosterone and melatonin concentrations in the ACTH rats compared to vehicle. However, the expression pattern of several ccgs was affected in the ACTH rats compared to vehicle. In the hippocampus, 10 ccgs were affected by ACTH treatment, whereas in the adrenal glands, 5 ccgs were affected and in the prefrontal cortex, hypothalamus and liver 4 ccgs were regulated. In the blood, only 1 gene was affected. Individual tissues showed changes in different ccgs, but the expression of Bmal1, Per1, and Per2 were most generally affected. Collectively, the results presented here indicate that the ACTH animal model displays dysregulation of a number of phase markers suggesting the model may be appropriate for future studies into CR disturbances., (© 2024 The Author(s). Journal of Neurochemistry published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society for Neurochemistry.)

Listeria monocytogenes in beef receives less attention compared to other pathogens such as Salmonella and Escherichia coli. To address this gap, we conducted a literature review focusing on the presence of L. monocytogenes in beef. This review encompasses the pathogenic mechanisms, routes of contamination, prevalence rates, and the laws and regulations employed in various countries. Our findings reveal a prevalence of L. monocytogenes in beef and beef products ranging from 2.5% to 59.4%. Notably, serotype 4b was most frequently isolated in cases of beef contamination during food processing, with the skinning and evisceration stages identified as critical points of contamination., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Institut Pasteur. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

The escalating environmental impact of plastic packaging waste necessitates sustainable alternatives in food packaging. This study explores starch-based films derived from cassava and potato as viable substitutes, aiming to mitigate plastic pollution and enhance environmental sustainability. Utilizing a casting method, formulations optimized by CCRD were characterized for their physical, physicochemical, and morphological properties. Comprehensive analysis revealed both cassava and potato starch films to exhibit robust structural integrity, high tensile strength (up to 32.6 MPa for cassava starch films), and semi-crystalline morphology. These films demonstrated low water vapor permeability and moderate solubility, akin to conventional low-density polyethylene used in packaging. Differential scanning calorimetry indicated glass transition temperatures between 116.36 °C and 119.35 °C, affirming thermal stability suitable for packaging applications. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed homogeneous film surfaces, with cassava starch films (C4-15) exhibiting superior transparency and uniformity. X-ray diffraction corroborated the films' semi-crystalline nature, unaffected by sorbitol content variations. Despite their mechanical and thermal suitability, further enhancements in thermal degradation resistance are essential for broader thermoprocessing applicability. These findings underscore the potential of starch-based films to be used as lids or other part of a food package, decreasing the plastic dependency in food packaging, contributing decisively to waste reduction and environmental preservation.

Background: Acute kidney failure is a serious consequence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)., Objectives: To identify the prevalence of COVID-19, kidney failure, frequency of death, and associated factors in patients receiving intensive care., Design and Setting: Analytical cross-sectional study conducted in the intensive care unit (ICU) of a medium-sized philanthropic general hospital in center-west Minas Gerais., Methods: Adults and older individuals who underwent real-time polymerase chain reaction testing for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) were evaluated by the nephrology team., Results: Among the 176 patients, the prevalence of COVID-19 and acute kidney injury (AKI) were 103 (58.5%) and 132 (75%), respectively, and 44 (25%) had chronic kidney disease (CKD) and 16 (15,5%) were positive for SARS-CoV-2. In the Charlson index classification, which estimates the risk of death, a statistically significant difference was identified in the percentages of groups with and without COVID-19 for indices 0, 1, and 2. There was a significant association between kidney disease and ICU mortality (P < 0.05). Patients with CKD had fewer fatal outcomes (13/97, 13.4%) than those with AKI (85/97, 87.6%)., Conclusions: COVID-19 rates remained high long after diagnosis and prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infection. In addition, a higher death rate among patients who developed AKI, whose prevalence was also greater than that in the national literature, regardless of the presence of COVID-19, revealed a worrying scenario and corroborated the need for early and judicious approaches to preserve the lives of patients with AKI admitted to intensive care units.

Objective: To translate and validate the Facial Feminization Surgery Outcomes Evaluation in Brazilian Portuguese., Methods: A standard back-translation method was applied to obtain the final Brazilian Portuguese language version. In total, 21 Brazilian native Portuguese speakers transgender women with surgical intent and 21 Brazilian native Portuguese speakers transgender women without surgical intent were included in the study. The FFSOE was administered to both groups and all patients underwent a test-retest two weeks later., Results: The FFSOE showed a high internal consistency with Cronbach's alpha greater than 0.8. The test-retest reliability was high with repeated measures being highly correlated in all items, except for item 3, where the difference was significant (p =  0.027)., Conclusion: The FFSOE showed reliability, internal consistency and reproducibility in the evaluations. It is easy to understand and quick to apply, making it a simple tool for pre- and post-operative assessment in facial feminization surgeries. THE OXFORD 2011 LEVELS OF EVIDENCE: Level 4., (Copyright © 2024 Associação Brasileira de Otorrinolaringologia e Cirurgia Cérvico-Facial. Published by Elsevier España S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Cuniculus paca, commonly known as the paca, is a rodent of the Cuniculidae family that is widely distributed throughout the Americas, including all Brazilian territories, and is abundant in the Amazon region. It is one of the most hunted species and faces significant predation in the extreme western Amazon region of Brazil because it constitutes a staple in the diet of local communities, for subsistence and commercial purposes. Understanding the helminthic fauna of these animals is of paramount importance, given that some nematodes have zoonotic potential and may pose risks to consumer health. This study aimed to contribute to the records of the nemtodes of this highly consumed species in the Amazon region, highlighting the occurrence of gastrointestinal parasites in free-living pacas intended for human subsistence consumption. The study was conducted in the Paranã da Floresta community, located in the municipality of Guajará, Amazonas from 2022 to 2023. The community members hunted this rodent for consumption and voluntarily provided the viscera for analysis. Nematodes were extracted from each organ. The organs were opened, and the contents were processed using a sieve (0.15 mm) and subsequently evaluated separately. In total, 10,157 nematodes were found in the 14 pacas. Based on morphological analyses, the nematodes were identified as Heligmostrongylus sedecimradiatus (n = 10,068), Trichuris sp. (n = 85), and Physaloptera sp. (n = 4). This study provides insights into the nematodes diversity of free-living pacas in the extreme Western Amazon region, emphasizing the importance of sanitary surveillance and public awareness of the risks associated with bushmeat consumption., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Molar-incisor hypomineralization (MIH) is a qualitative defect of dental enamel characterized by demarcated opacities present in permanent first molars and other teeth. It is considered a major clinical challenge in dentistry because it makes affected teeth more susceptible to fractures and dental caries. Its diagnosis is mainly clinical and there are few technological resources that allow for a more accurate diagnosis, especially with respect to the depth of the defect in the dental enamel. In this context, optical coherence tomography (OCT), which is routinely used in ophthalmology, can produce images of the depth of the dental enamel, making it a promising method. In this study, 33 teeth with different MIH severities were evaluated using OCT and microcomputed tomography (microCT). Semi-quantitative methods of grayscale pattern analysis were used to compare images obtained from different severities of MIH with the mineral density obtained through microCT. MicroCT evaluation revealed that hypomineralized enamel had a significantly lower mineral density than intact enamel. However, this difference was not observed between the mild and severe MIH lesions. In the OCT evaluation, significant differences were observed between the intact and hypomineralized enamel, and the gray value comparison provided a method for quantitative differentiation between the two. This study suggests that OCT could be a useful adjunct to traditional diagnostic methods for MIH, offering a noninvasive approach to evaluate enamel defects. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: Combining optical coherence tomography with grayscale digital analysis shows potential as a promising method for diagnosing molar-incisor hypomineralization and assessing its level of severity., (© 2024 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Common beans ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.), besides being an important source of nutrients such as iron, magnesium, and protein, are crucial for food security, especially in developing countries. Common bean cultivation areas commonly face production challenges due to drought occurrences, mainly during the reproductive period. Dry spells last approximately 20 days, enough time to compromise production. Hence, it is crucial to understand the genetic and molecular mechanisms that confer drought tolerance to improve common bean cultivars' adaptation to drought. Sixty six RNASeq libraries, generated from tolerant and sensitive cultivars in drought time sourced from the R5 phenological stage at 0 to 20 days of water deficit were sequenced, generated over 1.5 billion reads, that aligned to 62,524 transcripts originating from a reference transcriptome, as well as 6673 transcripts obtained via de novo assembly. Differentially expressed transcripts were functionally annotated, revealing a variety of genes associated with molecular functions such as oxidoreductase and transferase activity, as well as biological processes related to stress response and signaling. The presence of regulatory genes involved in signaling cascades and transcriptional control was also highlighted, for example, LEA proteins and dehydrins associated with dehydration protection, and transcription factors such as WRKY, MYB, and NAC, which modulate plant response to water deficit. Additionally, genes related to membrane and protein protection, as well as water and ion uptake and transport, were identified, including aquaporins, RING-type E3 ubiquitin transferases, antioxidant enzymes such as GSTs and CYPs, and thioredoxins. This study highlights the complexity of plant response to water scarcity, focusing on the functional diversity of the genes involved and their participation in the biological processes essential for plant adaptation to water stress. The identification of regulatory and cell protection genes offers promising prospects for genetic improvement aiming at the production of common bean varieties more resistant to drought. These findings have the potential to drive sustainable agriculture, providing valuable insights to ensure food security in a context of climate change.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of fluoride consistency and composition to protect enamel and dentin against the dental erosion., Materials and Methods: Bovine enamel and dentin specimens were treated with artificial saliva, neutral fluoride gel (NFG), acidulated phosphate fluoride gel (AFG), neutral fluoride foam (NFF), and acidulated phosphate fluoride foam. The samples were subjected to cycling. Micro energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, surface roughness (Ra), contact angle (CA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were performed. Composition, CA and Ra data were analyzed by ANOVA and multiple comparison test (p < 0.05)., Results: The dentin protected had a significantly higher mineral content than in the control. Eroded unprotected enamel had higher Ra values than normal surfaces. Fluoride treatments increased the Ra in dentin samples. AFG increased the CA in enamel. Fluoride foams increased CA in dentin with reduced mineral loss. SEM analysis found a deposited layer on enamel treated with AFG and remnants of deposits on dentin treated with NFG and NFF., Conclusion: Regardless of the form of application, fluoride provided protection against erosion, however with different levels., Clinical Significance: Applying the adequate fluoride form is relevant since the formulations have different effects on both enamel and dentin., (© 2024 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Purpose: To assess hospitalized children's satisfaction with nursing care., Design and Methods: Cross-sectional study using the "Children Care Quality at Hospital" questionnaire. 61 children admitted to the Pediatrics Department of a hospital in the Northern Region of Portugal were enrolled., Results: The ranged age of the participants was 6 to 15 (10,61 ± 2,66 years), and most were male (52.46%; n = 32). The mean score in the three domains was 128 (77.11%), reflecting children's high satisfaction with the nursing care provided during hospitalization. The domain most valued was Nurse Characteristics, while the least valued was Nursing Environment., Conclusion: Results provide essential input for the dimensions to be considered when planning nursing care for children, managing care, and the physical environment in the wards., Implications for Practice: These results highlight the need to hear children's voices. This must encourage nurses to reflect on how children evaluate nursing care and, by doing so, to increase the quality of nursing care provided in Pediatrics settings., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To evaluate the association between psoriasis (PSO), psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and periodontitis (PE), and the Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) impacts on individuals with psoriatic disease's daily activities compared to the non-psoriatic ones., Materials & Methods: 296 individuals with psoriatic disease (PSO n = 210, APS n = 86) (cases) and 359 without these diseases (controls) were included. Complete periodontal examinations and collection of variables of interest were performed. The Brazilian version of the Oral Impacts on Daily Performance (OIDP) instrument was applied., Results: The prevalence of PE was higher in PsA (57.0%; OR = 2.67 95%CI 1.65-4.32; p<0.001) than in PSO (34.3%; OR = 1.05 95% CI 0.73-1.51; p<0.001) compared to controls (33.1%). Both PsA and PSO groups showed more sites and teeth with 4-6mm probing depth (PD) and had higher OIDP scores than controls (p<0.001), thus indicating worse self-reported quality of life. PE, PSO+PE and consumption of alcohol/anxiolytics significantly influenced OHRQoL (p<0.05). The influence of periodontal parameters on OHRQoL was observed for the presence of PE; PD >6 mm; clinical attachment level >6 mm; higher plaque index, % sites and teeth with bleeding on probing (p<0.05)., Conclusion: Negative impacts of PE on the OHRQoL were demonstrated. The ones having PSO and especially PsA and PE presented significantly worse indicators., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright: © 2024 Costa et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

A heterogenized Mn(III) porphyrin-based catalyst was prepared for dye degradation. The new Mn(III) complex of 5,15-bis(4-aminophenyl)-10,20-diphenylporphyrin was immobilized, via covalent bond, in chloropropyl silica gel, generating the material (Sil-Cl@MnP) with a loading of 23 μmol manganese porphyrin (MnP) per gram of Sil-Cl. This material was used as a catalyst in degradation reactions of model dyes, a cationic dye [methylene blue (MB)] and an anionic dye (reactive red 120, RR120), using PhI(OAc) 2 and H 2 O 2 as oxidants. The oxidation reactions were carried out after the dye reached adsorption/desorption equilibrium with the catalytic material, with a much higher percentage of adsorption being observed for the cationic MB dye (20%) than for the anionic RR120 dye (3%), which may be associated with electrostatic attraction or repulsion effects, respectively, with the negatively charged surface of the silica (zeta potential measurement for Sil-Cl@MnP, ζ = -19.2 mV). In general, there was a higher degradation percentage for MB than for RR120, probably because the size and charge of RR120 would hinder its approach to the MnP active species on the silica surface. With respect to the oxidant, the PhI(OAc) 2 -based systems showed a higher degradation percentage than those of H 2 O 2 . It was observed that the increase in the oxidant concentration promoted a significant increase in the degradation of MB, with a degradation of approximately 65%. The efficiency of the catalyst was also evaluated after successive additions of the oxidant every 2 h, and it can be seen that the catalyst had no loss of efficiency, with a degradation percentage greater than 80% being observed after 8 h of reaction. The phytotoxicity of the products formed in the system was evaluated in a 1:23.5:188 molar ratio Sil-Cl@MnP: MB:PhI(OAc) 2 was used. In these studies, phytotoxicity was found for the germination of lettuce seeds when the original solution was used without dilution; however, when diluted (10% V/V), the results were close to the positive and negative controls. Thus, the material obtained proved to be a potential candidate for application in the degradation reactions of environmental pollutants., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (© 2024 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.)

Background: Currently, the Enterobacteriaceae species are responsible for a variety of serious infections and are already considered a global public health problem, especially in underdeveloped countries, where surveillance and monitoring programs are still scarce and limited. Analyses were performed on the complete genome of an extensively antibiotic-resistant strain of Enterobater hormaechei , which was isolated from a patient with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, who had been admitted to a hospital in the city of Manaus, Brazil., Methods: Phenotypical identification and susceptibility tests were performed in automated equipment. Total DNA extraction was performed using the PureLink genomic DNA mini-Kit. The genomic DNA library was prepared with Illumina Microbial Amplicon Prep and sequenced in the MiSeq Illumina Platform. The assembly of the whole-genome and individual analyses of specific resistance genes extracted were carried out using online tools and the Geneious Prime software., Results: The analyses identified an extensively resistant ST90 clone of E. hormaechei carrying different genes, including bla CTX-M-15 , bla GES-2 , bla TEM-1A , bla ACT-15 , bla OXA-1 and bla NDM-1 , [ aac(3)-IIa, aac(6')-Ian, ant(2″)-Ia ], [ aac(6')-Ib-cr , (qnrB1)], dfrA25 , sul1 and sul2 , catB3 , fosA , and qnr B, in addition to resistance to chlorhexidine, which is widely used in patient antisepsis., Conclusions: These findings highlight the need for actions to control and monitor these pathogens in the hospital environment.

Dengue causes approximately 10.000 deaths and 100 million symptomatic infections annually worldwide, making it a significant public health concern. To address this, artificial intelligence tools like machine learning can play a crucial role in developing more effective strategies for control, diagnosis, and treatment. This study identifies relevant variables for the screening of dengue cases through machine learning models and evaluates the accuracy of the models. Data from reported dengue cases in the states of Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais for the years 2016 and 2019 were obtained through the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (SINAN). The mutual information technique was used to assess which variables were most related to laboratory-confirmed dengue cases. Next, a random selection of 10,000 confirmed cases and 10,000 discarded cases was performed, and the dataset was divided into training (70%) and testing (30%). Machine learning models were then tested to classify the cases. It was found that the logistic regression model with 10 variables (gender, age, fever, myalgia, headache, vomiting, nausea, back pain, rash, retro-orbital pain) and the Decision Tree and Multilayer Perceptron (MLP) models achieved the best results in decision metrics, with an accuracy of 98%. Therefore, a tree-based model would be suitable for building an application and implementing it on smartphones. This resource would be available to healthcare professionals such as doctors and nurses., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Sesquiterpenes are a class of metabolites derived from plant species with immunomodulatory activity. In this study, we evaluated the effects of treatment with costic acid on inflammation, angiogenesis, and fibrosis induced by subcutaneous sponge implants in mice. One sponge disc per animal was aseptically implanted in the dorsal region of the mice and treated daily with costic acid (at concentrations of 0.1, 1, and 10 μg diluted in 10 μL of 0.5% DMSO) or 0.5% DMSO (control group). After 9 days of treatment, the animals were euthanized, and the implants collected for further analysis. Treatment with costic acid resulted in the reduction of the inflammatory parameters evaluated compared to the control group, with a decrease in the levels of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines (TNF, CXCL-1, and CCL2) and in the activity of MPO and NAG enzymes. Costic acid administration altered the process of mast cell degranulation. We also observed a reduction in angiogenic parameters, such as a decrease in the number of blood vessels, the hemoglobin content, and the levels of VEGF and FGF cytokines. Finally, when assessing implant-induced fibrogenesis, we observed a reduction in the levels of the pro-fibrogenic cytokine TGF-β1, and lower collagen deposition. The results of this study demonstrate, for the first time, the anti-inflammatory, anti-angiogenic, and anti-fibrotic effects of costic acid in an in vivo model of chronic inflammation and reinforce the therapeutic potential of costic acid., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest None., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Responsible companion animal guardianship (RCAG) covers aspects that are relevant to both animal and human health. Understanding the factors associated with adherence to RCAG principles can guide accountability, animal welfare and disease control. The present observational study describes the level of adherence to RCAG by guardians living in a medium-sized Brazilian municipality and identifies the factors associated with inadequate guardianship. Questionnaires were administered to randomly selected guardians of 704 dogs. The binary outcome of the study, namely more and less adequate compliers to RCAG principles, was analyzed using a score list comprising eight variables relating to the care provided to the dogs, namely provision of veterinary services, vaccination against rabies, deworming, no access to the streets without supervision, walking with guardian, dog freedom at home, registration (microchipping) and satisfactory food supply. Factors possibly associated with less adequate adherence to RCAG by the guardian, such as socioeconomic and cultural features of the guardians, characteristics of the dogs and attributes of the guardian-animal interactions, were analyzed using multiple logistic regression models. The RCAG actions least adopted by guardians were animal registration, provision of veterinary care, walking with the dog and preventing access of the dogs to the streets without supervision. Individuals who cared for a single dog, a mixed breed dog or had previously lost a dog were less likely to show adequate adherence to RCAG. Conversely, guardians who owned cars, acquired dogs as puppies, lived in households with a maximum of four residents, cared for a sterilized dog or thought that caring for a dog was easier than (or as) expected, had a higher chance of showing adequate adherence to RCAG. The results verify that the socioeconomic and behavioral characteristic of guardians must be taken into consideration for understanding the adherence to RCAG. In addition, it is important to facilitate access to veterinary services and to raise awareness about the significance of a safe and healthy environment for companion animals., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest None., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objective: The Wheel of Cardiovascular Health Diet was recently elaborated based on current nutritional recommendations for healthy eating and was made for person-centered nutritional counseling, thus it may be an interesting tool to improve food awareness. However, its validity is yet to be tested. We hypothesized that the self-perception of patients diagnosed with chronic diseases, evaluated by the Wheel of Cardiovascular Health Diet, is satisfactory in assessing the quality of their diets, compared with the Healthy Eating Index-2020., Methods: This is a cross-sectional analysis of adults with uncontrolled hypertension or type 2 diabetes. The patients answered the Wheel of Cardiovascular Health Diet, and then, based on the food frequency questionnaire, we analyzed the Healthy Eating Index-2020., Results: A total of 330 patients were included in the study: 91.5% had hypertension, 58.5% had type 2 diabetes, and the median age was 58 (50-65) years. The mean difference observed between the percentage of the graphic area assessed by the patients' self-perception from the Wheel of Cardiovascular Health Diet and Healthy Eating Index-2020 was -10.0% (95%CI -35.3 to 15.3), and a moderate correlation was observed. Linear Regression models showed that a 10-point increase in patients' self-perception in the Wheel of Cardiovascular Health Diet is associated with a 2.9% increase (95%CI 2.08 to 3.70) in the diet quality by the Healthy Eating Index-2020 and is associated with lower BMI values: β = -0.42 kg/m 2 (95%CI -0.83 to -0.01)., Conclusion: The Wheel of Cardiovascular Health Diet performed satisfactorily regarding validity and reliability by BMI and was associated with higher overall dietary quality, with the Healthy Eating Index-2020 as a relative reference.

This study aimed to assess the in vitro effects of re-irradiation on enamel and dentin properties, simulating head and neck cancer radiotherapy retreatment. Forty-five human permanent molars were classified into five groups: non-irradiated; irradiated 60 Gy, and re-irradiated with doses of 30, 40, and 50 Gy. Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS) were employed for analysis. Raman spectroscopy assessed intensity, spectral area, and specific peaks comparatively. Statistical analysis involved Kolmogorov-Smirnov and One-Way ANOVA tests, with Tukey's post-test (significance level set at 5%). Significant changes in irradiated, non-irradiated, and re-irradiated enamel peaks were observed, including phosphate (438 nm), hydroxyapatite (582 nm), phosphate (960 nm), and carbonate (1070 nm) (p < 0.05). Re-irradiation affected the entire tooth (p > 0.05), leading to interprismatic region degradation, enamel prism destruction, and hydroxyapatite crystal damage. Dentin exhibited tubule obliteration, crack formation, and progressive collagen fiber fragmentation. EDX revealed increased oxygen percentage and decreased phosphorus and calcium post-reirradiation. It is concluded that chemical and morphological changes in irradiated permanent teeth were dose-dependent, exacerbated by re-irradiation, causing substantial damage in enamel and dentin., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

We investigated bile salts' ability to induce phenotypic changes in biofilm production and protein expression of pathogenic Escherichia coli strains. For this purpose, 82 pathogenic E. coli strains isolated from humans (n = 70), and animals (n = 12), were examined for their ability to form biofilms in the presence or absence of bile salts. We also identified bacterial proteins expressed in response to bile salts using sodium dodecyl-sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-electrophoresis) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Lastly, we evaluated the ability of these strains to adhere to Caco-2 epithelial cells in the presence of bile salts. Regarding biofilm formation, two strains isolated from an outbreak in Republic of Georgia in 2009 were the only ones that showed a high and moderate capacity to form biofilm in the presence of bile salts. Further, we observed that those isolates, when in the presence of bile salts, expressed different proteins identified as outer membrane proteins (i.e. OmpC), and resistance to adverse growth conditions (i.e. F0F1, HN-S, and L7/L12). We also found that these isolates exhibited high adhesion to epithelial cells in the presence of bile salts. Together, these results contribute to the phenotypic characterization of E. coli O104: H4 strains., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Applied Microbiology International.)

Objectives: Despite the fact that fibromyalgia, a widespread disease of the musculoskeletal system, has no specific treatment, patients have shown improvement after pharmacological intervention. Pregabalin has demonstrated efficacy; however, its adverse effects may reduce treatment adherence. In this context, neuromodulatory techniques such as transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) may be employed as a complementary pain-relieving method. Consequently, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of pregabalin and tDCS treatments on the behavioral and biomarker parameters of rats submitted to a fibromyalgia-like model., Methods: Forty adult male Wistar rats were divided into two groups: control and reserpine. Five days after the end of the administration of reserpine (1 mg/kg/3 days) to induce a fibromyalgia-like model, rats were randomly assigned to receive either vehicle or pregabalin (30 mg/kg) along with sham or active- tDCS treatments. The evaluated behavioral parameters included mechanical allodynia by von Frey test and anxiety-like behaviors by elevated plus-maze test (time spent in opened and closed arms, number of entries in opened and closed arms, protected head-dipping, unprotected head-dipping [NPHD], grooming, rearing, fecal boluses). The biomarker analysis (brain-derived neurotrophic factor [BDNF] and tumor necrosis factor-α [TNF-α]) was performed in brainstem and cerebral cortex and in serum., Results: tDCS reversed the reduction in the mechanical nociceptive threshold and the decrease in the serum BDNF levels induced by the model of fibromyalgia; however, there was no effect of pregabalin in the mechanical threshold. There were no effects of pregabalin or tDCS found in TNF-α levels. The pain model induced an increase in grooming time and a decrease in NPHD and rearing; while tDCS reversed the increase in grooming, pregabalin reversed the decrease in NPHD., Conclusions: tDCS was more effective than pregabalin in controlling nociception and anxiety-like behavior in a rat model-like fibromyalgia. Considering the translational aspect, our findings suggest that tDCS could be a potential non-pharmacological treatment for fibromyalgia., (© 2024 the author(s), published by De Gruyter.)

Introduction: Immune checkpoints are regulators of the immune system response that allow self-tolerance. Molecules such as Programmed Cell Death Protein 1 (PD-1) and its Ligand (PD-L1) participate in the immune checkpoint by signaling co-inhibition of lymphocyte responses. In cancers, PD-L1 expression is associated with the immune evasion mechanism, which favors tumor growth. The use of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 drugs is already well described in solid tumors, but still not fully understood in hematologic malignancies. Myelodysplastic neoplasms (MDSs) are heterogeneous bone marrow disorders with an increased risk of progression to Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). The MDS affects hematopoietic stem cells and its pathogenesis is linked to genetic and epigenetic defects, in addition to immune dysregulation. The influence of the PD-L1 on the MDS remains unknown., Methods: In this study, we evaluated the mRNA expression of the PD-L1 in 53 patients with MDS, classified according to the WHO 2016 Classification., Results: Patients with dyserythropoiesis presented significantly higher PD-L1 expression than patients without dyserythropoiesis (p= 0.050). Patients classified as having MDS with an excess of blasts 2 (MDS-EB2) presented a significant upregulation in the mRNA expression of the PD-L1 compared to the MDS with an excess of blasts 1 (MDS-EB1) (p= 0.050). Furthermore, we detected three patients with very high levels of PD-L1 expression, being statistically classified as outliers., Conclusion: We suggested that the high expression of the PD-L1 is associated with a worse prognosis in the MDS and functional studies are necessary to evaluate the possible use of anti-PD-L1 therapies for high-risk MDS, such as the MDS-EBs., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest The authors declare that they have no competing interests., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U.)

The impact of GnRH treatment on the day of TAI in beef cows has received limited investigation, especially concerning its association with estrus expression. Consequently, two experiments were conducted to assess the potential of GnRH treatment on the day of TAI to enhance fertility according to the expression or not of estrus in beef cows. Experiment 1 aimed to determine ovulation rate and luteal function, while Experiment 2 aimed to determine the effect of the two GnRH treatment approaches on pregnancy rate. In Experiment 1, multiparous Brangus suckling cows (n = 17) were submitted to an 8-day TAI protocol. Estrus occurrence was evaluated based on chalk removal on D10 (TAI) and cows were assigned to receive GnRH (25µg lecirelin; im) according to the group: GnRH (n = 7), regardless of estrus expression; or selectGnRH (n = 10), only cows not detected in estrus. Ovulation rate occurring until 77h after IVD removal did not differ (p = 0.17) between GnRH (85.7%; 6/7) and selectGnRH (100%; 10/10). Also, corpus luteum size and serum progesterone concentration were not affected (p>0.05) by treatments. In Experiment 2, crossbred taurine suckled cows (n = 384) were submitted to the same protocol as described in Experiment 1 and were randomly allocated to GnRH or selectGnRH groups. There was no difference in P/AI between groups (selectGnRH = 55.6%; GnRH = 54.3%; p = 0.7) 30 days after TAI. As expected, there was a pronounced effect (p<0.0001) of estrus expression on P/AI (Estrus = 61.5%; No estrus = 33.0%), regardless of group. In summary, ovulation timing and rate and luteal function did not differ between groups. Also, GnRH administration only in cows that do not show estrus is recommended, considering hormone savings and similar conception rate., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest: The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.

Aims: This study describes the spatio-temporal dynamics of new visceral leishmaniasis (VL) cases notified in Brazil between 2001 and 2020., Methods and Results: Data on the occurrence of the disease were obtained by means of the Notifiable Diseases Information System of the Brazilian Ministry of Health. Joinpoint, temporal generalized additive models and conditional autoregressive (CAR) models were used to analyse the temporal evolution of the rates in Brazil, states and regions. Spatio-temporal generalized additive and CAR models were used to identify the distribution of annual risks of VL occurrence in the Brazilian territory in relation to variation in the spatial average. There were 63,966 VL cases in the target period (3.198 cases/year), corresponding to a mean incidence rate of 1.68 cases/100,000 inhabitants. Of these, 4451 resulted in deaths, which gives a mean mortality rate of 0.12 deaths/100,000 inhabitants and a case fatality of 6.96%. The highest incidence rate was found in the North region, followed closely by the Northeast region, which presented the second and first highest mortality rates, respectively. For all of Brazil, and in the Northeast region, there were stability in the incidence rates, while the other regions showed an increasing trend in different time segments in the period: Central-West up to 2011, North up to 2008, Southeast up to 2004, and South up to 2010. On the other hand, all regions experienced a reduction in incidence rate during the last years of the series. The Northeast region had the highest number of municipalities with statistically significant elevated relative risks. The spatio-temporal analysis showed the highest risk area predominantly in the Northeast region in the beginning of the time series. From 2002 to 2018, this area expanded to the interior of the country., Conclusions: The present study has shown that VL has expanded in Brazil. However, the North and Northeast regions continue to have the highest incidence, and the risk of infection has decreased in recent years., (© 2023 Wiley-VCH GmbH. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Ultraviolet-C light-emitting diode (UVC-LED) and ultrasound (US) are two nonthermal technologies with the potential to destroy pathogens. However, little is known about their effectiveness in strains with a history of heat resistance. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the phenotype and genotype of heat-resistant extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC) with heat resistance genes after the application of US, UVC-LED, and UVC-LED+US. For this, two central composite rotatable designs were used to optimize the UVC-LED and US conditions in four ExPEC isolated from beef. From the genome of these isolates obtained in a previous study, possible genes for UVC resistance were analyzed. Results showed that US was ineffective in reducing >0.30 log colony-forming unit/mL, and that when used after UVC-LED, it showed a nonsynergic or antagonistic effect. Also, UVC-LED had the greatest effect at the maximum dose (4950 mJ/cm 2 from 1.65 mW/cm 2 for 50 min). However, the strains showed some recovery after that, which could be implicated in the expression of genes included in SOS system genes, some others present in the transmissible Locus of Stress Tolerance ( trxBC and degP ), and others ( terC ). Thus, ExPEC can overcome the conditions used in this study for US, UVC-LED, and UVC-LED+US, probably due to the history of resistance to other cellular damage. The result of this study will contribute to future studies that aim to find better treatment conditions for each food product.

Dillenia indica (Linn.) has been reported by several biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antidiabetic, anti-hyperglycemic, antiproliferative, antimutagenic, anticholinesterase, and antimicrobial. In Brazilian traditional medicine, the fruits of D. indica have been used to treat general topical pain and inflammation, but with no scientific validation. Thus, aiming to study its chemical constitution and antinociceptive properties, the crude extract (CE) and fractions obtained from the fruits of D. indica were submitted to an in vivo pharmacological evaluation and a dereplication study by LC-MS/MS analysis, assisted by the Global Natural Product Social Molecular Networking (GNPS). The oral antinociceptive activity of the fruits of D. indica and the possible participation of the opioid and cannabinoid systems were demonstrated in the formalin-induced nociception model. The chemical dereplication study led us to identify several known chemical constituents, including flavonoids, such as caffeoylmalic acid, naringenin, quercetin, and kaempferol. According to literature data, our results are compatible with significant antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities. Therefore, the flavonoid constituents of the fruits of D. indica are probably responsible for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antinociceptive effects mediated by both opioid and cannabinoid systems, confirming its folk use in the treatment and relief of pain., (© 2023 Wiley-VHCA AG, Zurich, Switzerland.)

From 1990 to 2024, this study presents a groundbreaking bibliometric and sentiment analysis of nanocomposite literature, distinguishing itself from existing reviews through its unique computational methodology. Developed by our research group, this novel approach systematically investigates the evolution of nanocomposites, focusing on microstructural characterization, electrical properties, and mechanical behaviors. By deploying advanced Boolean search strategies within the Scopus database, we achieve a meticulous extraction and in-depth exploration of thematic content, a methodological advancement in the field. Our analysis uniquely identifies critical trends and insights concerning nanocomposite microstructure, electrical attributes, and mechanical performance. The paper goes beyond traditional textual analytics and bibliometric evaluation, offering new interpretations of data and highlighting significant collaborative efforts and influential studies within the nanocomposite domain. Our findings uncover the evolution of research language, thematic shifts, and global contributions, providing a distinct and comprehensive view of the dynamic evolution of nanocomposite research. A critical component of this study is the "State-of-the-Art and Gaps Extracted from Results and Discussions" section, which delves into the latest advancements in nanocomposite research. This section details various nanocomposite types and their properties and introduces novel interpretations of their applications, especially in nanocomposite films. By tracing historical progress and identifying emerging trends, this analysis emphasizes the significance of collaboration and influential studies in molding the field. Moreover, the "Literature Review Guided by Artificial Intelligence" section showcases an innovative AI-guided approach to nanocomposite research, a first in this domain. Focusing on articles from 2023, selected based on citation frequency, this method offers a new perspective on the interplay between nanocomposites and their electrical properties. It highlights the composition, structure, and functionality of various systems, integrating recent findings for a comprehensive overview of current knowledge. The sentiment analysis, with an average score of 0.638771, reflects a positive trend in academic discourse and an increasing recognition of the potential of nanocomposites. Our bibliometric analysis, another methodological novelty, maps the intellectual domain, emphasizing pivotal research themes and the influence of crosslinking time on nanocomposite attributes. While acknowledging its limitations, this study exemplifies the indispensable role of our innovative computational tools in synthesizing and understanding the extensive body of nanocomposite literature. This work not only elucidates prevailing trends but also contributes a unique perspective and novel insights, enhancing our understanding of the nanocomposite research field., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Bat species have been observed to have the potential to expand their distribution in response to climate change, thereby influencing shifts in the spatial distribution and population dynamics of human rabies cases. In this study, we applied an ensemble niche modeling approach to project climatic suitability under different future global warming scenarios for human rabies cases in Brazil, and assessed the impact on the probability of emergence of new cases. We obtained notification records of human rabies cases in all Brazilian cities from January 2001 to August 2023, as reported by the State and Municipal Health Departments. The current and future climate data were sourced from a digital repository on the WorldClim website. The future bioclimatic variables provided were downscaled climate projections from CMIP6 (a global model ensemble) and extracted from the regionalized climate model HadGEM3-GC31-LL for three future socioeconomic scenarios over four periods (2021-2100). Seven statistical algorithms (MAXENT, MARS, RF, FDA, CTA, GAM, and GLM) were selected for modeling human rabies. Temperature seasonality was the bioclimatic variable with the highest relative contribution to both current and future consensus models. Future scenario modeling for human rabies indicated a trend of changes in the areas of occurrence, maintaining the current pace of global warming, population growth, socioeconomic instability, and the loss of natural areas. In Brazil, there are areas with a higher likelihood of climatic factors contributing to the emergence of cases. When assessing future scenarios, a change in the local climatic suitability is observed that may lead to a reduction or increase in cases, depending on the region.

Knowledge regarding the profile of eligible blood donors presenting positive results in laboratory screening is essential for reducing transfusion-transmitted human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV). Our study aimed to evaluate the prevalence, incidence, predictor variables and residual risk (RR) of HIV/HBV/HCV in blood bags donated in Minas Gerais, Brazil. This study analysed data retrieved from the records of a large blood bank relating to donations collected at multiple centres within the period 2012-2018, during which 1 991 120 blood bags were screened using immunoassays and nucleic acid tests (NATs). Multilevel modelling was used to investigate the association between sex, civil status and age group with HIV/HBV/HCV. RR was estimated from the incidence values (restricted to negative and positive tests within the study period) and window periods for infections. The prevalence in first time donors, incidence and RR of HCV (223.73 cases per 100 000; 54.84 per 100 000 persons-year and 1.6527 per 100 000, respectively) were higher than those of HIV (172.65 cases per 100 000; 28.25 per 100 000 persons-year and 0.8514 per 100 000) and HBV (168.17 cases per 100 000; 18.54 per 100 000 persons-year and 0.5588 per 100 000). The odds of acquiring infection were greater in male, single and older donors. Sixteen donors were identified as seronegative and NATs+ during the 7-year span of the study. Our study has clarified some spatiotemporal trends regarding HIV/HBV/HCV infections in donated blood in Brazil. The results will contribute to the formulation of directives addressed to high-risk donors., (© 2023 British Blood Transfusion Society.)

This study aimed to review the findings on body image (BI) dissatisfaction and muscle dysmorphia (MD) in Brazilian RT practitioners and the differences in the assessment tools used. A critical review of studies with searches in PubMed, Brazilian Virtual Health Library, SciELO, PsycInfo, and SPORTDiscus databases was conducted. A total of 23 studies were included. Nine tools were used to assess BI dissatisfaction or MD: three questionnaires and six visual scales. The overall mean BI dissatisfaction was 56.5% (59.2% in men vs 57.3% in women). The mean MD was 42.4% (45.1% in women vs 38.5% in men). BI dissatisfaction and MD are related to women seeking slimness and men wanting to increase muscle mass. In conclusion, the frequency of BI was high in both sexes, and MD, when identified, was higher in women. The scales and questionnaires used differ significantly in depth and scope for the same purpose., Competing Interests: Declaration of conflicting interestsThe authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Fish is a nutritionally rich product; however, it is easily contaminated by pathogenic microorganisms, such as Salmonella spp. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the best concentration of sodium hypochlorite (NaClO), exposure time, and water temperature that allow the most effective antimicrobial effect on the viable population of Salmonella spp. Thus, Salmonella Enteritidis ATCC 13076 and Salmonella Schwarzengrund were exposed to different time frames, ranging from 5 min to 38.5 min, temperatures between 5 and 38.5 °C, and NaClO concentrations ranging from 0.36 to 6.36 ppm, through a central composite rotational design experiment (CCRD). The results demonstrated that the ATCC strain exhibited a quadratic response to sodium hypochlorite when combined with exposure time, indicating that initial contact would already be sufficient for the compound's action to inhibit the growth of the mentioned bacteria. However, for S. Schwarzengrund (isolated directly from fish cultivated in aquaculture), both NaClO concentration and exposure time significantly influenced inactivation, following a linear pattern. This suggests that increasing the exposure time of NaClO could be an alternative to enhance Salmonella elimination rates in fish slaughterhouses. Thus, the analysis indicates that the Salmonella spp. strains used in in vitro experiments were sensitive to concentrations equal to or greater than the recommended ones, requiring a longer exposure time combined with the recommended NaClO concentration in the case of isolates from aquaculture.

Telonemia are one of the oldest identified marine protists that for most part of their history have been recognized as a distinct incertae sedis lineage. Today, their evolutionary proximity to the SAR supergroup (Stramenopiles, Alveolates, and Rhizaria) is firmly established. However, their ecological distribution and importance as a natural predatory flagellate, especially in freshwater food webs, still remain unclear. To unravel the distribution and diversity of the phylum Telonemia in freshwater habitats, we examined over a thousand freshwater metagenomes from all over the world. In addition, to directly quantify absolute abundances, we analyzed 407 samples from 97 lakes and reservoirs using Catalyzed Reporter Deposition-Fluorescence in situ Hybridization (CARD-FISH). We recovered Telonemia 18S rRNA gene sequences from hundreds of metagenomic samples from a wide variety of habitats, indicating a global distribution of this phylum. However, even after this extensive sampling, our phylogenetic analysis did not reveal any new major clades, suggesting current molecular surveys are near to capturing the full diversity within this group. We observed excellent concordance between CARD-FISH analyses and estimates of abundances from metagenomes. Both approaches suggest that Telonemia are largely absent from shallow lakes and prefer to inhabit the colder hypolimnion of lakes and reservoirs in the Northern Hemisphere, where they frequently bloom, reaching 10%-20% of the total heterotrophic flagellate population, making them important predatory flagellates in the freshwater food web., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the International Society for Microbial Ecology.)

The evolutionary trajectory of Methylophilaceae includes habitat transitions from freshwater sediments to freshwater and marine pelagial that resulted in genome reduction (genome-streamlining) of the pelagic taxa. However, the extent of genetic similarities in the genomic structure and microdiversity of the two genome-streamlined pelagic lineages (freshwater "Ca. Methylopumilus" and the marine OM43 lineage) has so far never been compared. Here, we analyzed complete genomes of 91 "Ca. Methylopumilus" strains isolated from 14 lakes in Central Europe and 12 coastal marine OM43 strains. The two lineages showed a remarkable niche differentiation with clear species-specific differences in habitat preference and seasonal distribution. On the other hand, we observed a synteny preservation in their genomes by having similar locations and types of flexible genomic islands (fGIs). Three main fGIs were identified: a replacement fGI acting as phage defense, an additive fGI harboring metabolic and resistance-related functions, and a tycheposon containing nitrogen-, thiamine-, and heme-related functions. The fGIs differed in relative abundances in metagenomic datasets suggesting different levels of variability ranging from strain-specific to population-level adaptations. Moreover, variations in one gene seemed to be responsible for different growth at low substrate concentrations and a potential biogeographic separation within one species. Our study provides a first insight into genomic microdiversity of closely related taxa within the family Methylophilaceae and revealed remarkably similar dynamics involving mobile genetic elements and recombination between freshwater and marine family members., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the International Society for Microbial Ecology.)

Venous thromboembolism (VTE), including deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), represents a substantial healthcare challenge. Provoked and unprovoked DVT cases carry distinct risks and treatment considerations. Recognizing the limitations of this classification, molecular markers may enhance diagnostic precision and guide anticoagulation therapy duration relying on patient history and risk factors. This preliminary, open-label, prospective cohort study was conducted including 15 patients (10 provoked DVT and 5 unprovoked DVT) and a control group of healthy plasmatic subjects. Plasma levels of 9 biomarkers were measured at diagnosis (baseline, day 0, and D0) and after 30 days (day 30-D30). Patient demographics, clinical data, and biomarker concentrations were analyzed. Serum concentrations of D-dimer, von Willebrand factor, C-reactive protein, and Anti-Xa were elevated in DVT groups at D0 compared to controls. No significant differences were observed between the provoked and unprovoked groups on the day of diagnosis and 30 days later. Over 30 days, the provoked group exhibited significant biomarker changes related to temporal assessment. No significant differences were noted in the biomarker profile between provoked and unprovoked DVT groups. This study is indicative of the concept of individualized thrombosis assessment and subsequent treatment for VTE. Larger cohorts are warranted to validate these findings and further define the most appropriate use of the molecular markers., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Context: Melatonin is an ancient molecule with a wide range of functions in mammals, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hypothermic effects among others. However, the influence of acute melatonin administration on human physical performance is debatable., Objective: To summarize available data from controlled trials about the effects of acute melatonin administration on human physical performance, especially with respect to strength, power, speed, and short- and long-term continuous exercise., Data Sources: A systematic search of the PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, and Cochrane databases up to December 10, 2021, was conducted using specified keywords and Boolean operators ("melatonin" AND "exercise OR circuit-based exercise OR plyometric exercise OR exercise tolerance OR exercise test")., Study Selection: Only controlled studies in the English language and with humans were accepted., Study Design: Systematic review., Level of Evidence: Level 1., Data Extraction: Participants' characteristics (sex, age, body mass, height and fat percentage), melatonin dose and administration time, and outcomes from the performance trial were extracted., Results: A total of 10 studies were identified after the screening process. Overall, melatonin did not change speed or short-term continuous exercise performances. However, in relation to strength and power, the results are debatable since 5 articles showed no difference, while another 2 pointed to a decrease in performance. In terms of performance improvement, only 1 study reported an increase in balance and another in long-term continuous exercise performance in nonathletes, with no advantage found for athletes., Conclusion: Melatonin did not cause any significant change in strength, speed, power, and short-term continuous exercise performances. In fact, it led to reduced strength and power performances in specific tests. On the other hand, melatonin seems to have improved balance and long-term continuous exercise performance, at least in nonathletes. More investigations are required to corroborate these findings., Competing Interests: The authors report no potential conflicts of interest in the development and publication of this article.

(1) Background: Persistent COVID is characterized by the presence of fatigue, mental fog, and sleep problems, among others. We aimed to study cognitive abilities (attention, executive functions, memory, language) and psychological and emotional factors in a group of participants of the population with persistent COVID-19 and asymptomatic or non-COVID-19-infected patients; (2) Methods: A total of 86 participants aged 18 to 66 years (X = 46.76) took part in the study, with 57 individuals (66.27%) in the experimental group and 29 (33.73%) in the control group. A comprehensive assessment included neuropsychological evaluations, evaluations of anxious and depressive symptomatology, assessments of the impact of fatigue, sleep quality, memory failures in daily life, and the perceived general health status of the participants; (3) Results: significant differences between groups were found in incidental learning within the Key Numbers task (U = 462.5; p = 0.001; p = 0.022) and in the Direct Digit Span (U = 562; p = 0.022), but not in the Inverse Digit Span (U = 632.5; p = 0.105). Differences were also observed in the prospective memory task of the Rivermead Prospective Memory Tasks (from the Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test) in the recall of quotations (U = 610; p = 0.020) as well as in the recall of objects (U = 681.5; p = 0.032). Concerning the task of verbal fluency, significant differences were found for both phonological cues ( p - and s-) (t = -2.190; p = 0.031) and semantic cues (animals) (t = -2.277; p = 0.025). In terms of the psychological impact assessment, significant differences were found in the emotional impact across all variables studied (fatigue, quality of sleep, memory lapses, and the perceived general health status), except for quality of life; (4) Conclusions: Our results suggest that the sequelae derived from persistent COVID may have an impact on people's lives, with higher levels of anxiety and depression, worse sleep quality, a greater number of subjective memory complaints, and a greater feeling of fatigue and impact on quality of life. Furthermore, poorer performance was observed in memory and verbal fluency.