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Leprosy is an infectious disease caused by the Mycobacterium leprae complex. Although the diagnosis of this disease is clinical, additional tests are often needed. One of the most common tests is intradermal smear bacilloscopy, which detects the patient's bacillary load. However, bacilloscopy is an invasive test and its results are subjective. The aim of this study was to propose a methodology based on Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to predict the bacilloscopic index in the saliva of leprosy patients. A total of 88 saliva samples were included, and the bacilloscopic index of the patients was previously defined by intradermal smear bacilloscopy. The saliva samples were analyzed by attenuated total reflection (ATR)-FTIR; a supervised analysis with partial least squares regression (PLS), after orthogonal signal correction (OSC), was used to predict the bacilloscopic index. The PLS model with three latent variables and one OSC component obtained a coefficient of determination greater than 0.9999 in both the calibration and prediction sets. The model was able to predict the bacilloscopic indexes with a minimum error, demonstrating its robustness. Thus, modeling with ATR/FTIR and multivariate calibration using one OSC component showed high accuracy and reproducibility, overcoming the limitations of intradermal smear bacilloscopy and proving to be a promising method in the clinical management of patients with leprosy., (Copyright © 2025. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Aim: Different nonpharmacological strategies are adopted to decrease primary dysmenorrhea (PD)-related pain. The present study aimed to verify women's use of nonpharmacological methods for pain and compare them with evidence from the literature. Materials & methods: A two-step study was conducted, comprising an online survey with 9144 women to assess nonpharmacological strategies for relieving PD-related pain, and a literature review on PubMed of verify the evidence of nonpharmacological methods. Results: Many women reported using heat therapy (61.5%), tea (42.4%) and massage (30.9%) to alleviate menstrual pain. However, the literature on these methods is limited. Conclusion: Several nonpharmacological methods are used by women to relieve PD-related pain and studies with low bias risk are needed to prove their effectiveness.

Fungal melanin contributes to the survival and virulence of pathogenic fungi, such as Fonsecaea pedrosoi, which is responsible for causing chromoblastomycosis. The objective of this study was to employ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to predict the melanin content of F. pedrosoi. The melanin content, in percentage, was previously determined using gravimetry for twenty-six clinical isolates. Quintuplicate spectra of each isolate were obtained using attenuated total reflection (ATR) within the range of 4000 to 650 cm -1 . To predict the melanin content, modeling was performed using partial least squares regression (PLS) in the region 1800 - 750 cm -1 . Two models were tested: PLS and successive projections algorithms for interval selection in partial least squares (iSPA-PLS). The best modeling results were achieved using iSPA-PLS with one factor. The calibration set exhibited a determination coefficient (R 2 ) of 0.9745 and a root mean square error of cross-validation (RMSECV) of 0.0977. In the prediction set, the R 2 value was 0.9711, and the root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) was 0.0999. Modeling with FTIR and multivariate calibration provides a valuable means of predicting fungal melanin content, which is simpler and more robust, thereby contributing to the advancement of this field of study., 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.)

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a systemic mycosis that is diagnosed by visualizing the fungus in clinical samples or by other methods, like serological techniques. However, all PCM diagnostic methods have limitations. The aim of this study was to develop a diagnostic tool for PCM based on Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. A total of 224 serum samples were included: 132 from PCM patients and 92 constituting the control group (50 from healthy blood donors and 42 from patients with other systemic mycoses). Samples were analyzed by attenuated total reflection (ATR) and a t -test was performed to find differences in the spectra of the two groups. The wavenumbers that had p < 0.05 had their diagnostic potential evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. The spectral region with the lowest p value was used for variable selection through principal component analysis (PCA). The selected variables were used in a linear discriminant analysis (LDA). In univariate analysis, the ROC curves with the best performance were obtained in the region 1551-1095 cm -1 . The wavenumber that had the highest AUC value was 1264 cm -1 , achieving a sensitivity of 97.73%, specificity of 76.01%, and accuracy of 94.22%. The total separation of groups was obtained in the PCA performed with a spectral range of 1551-1095 cm -1 . LDA performed with the eight wavenumbers with the greatest weight from the group discrimination in the PCA obtained 100% accuracy. The methodology proposed here is simple, fast, and highly accurate, proving its potential to be applied in the diagnosis of PCM. The proposed method is more accurate than the currently known diagnostic methods, which is particularly relevant for a neglected tropical mycosis such as paracoccidioidomycosis., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Background: Paracoccidoidomycosis (PCM) is a granulomatous systemic mycosis endemic in southern Brazil., Objectives: Analyze the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of cases of PCM with head and neck manifestations in southern Brazil., Material and Methods: Retrospective study of histopathologically diagnosed cases of PCM with head and neck manifestations referred to two medical centers in the municipality of Santa Cruz do Sul, state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, during a 10-year period (2011-2020)., Results: Twenty-eight patients were selected. The number of cases usually ranged from one to four per year, although 11 cases were diagnosed in 2019. Most patients were between 40 and 59 years old. In total, 21 patients were men and seven were women (male:female ratio 3:1). Most (92%) were Caucasian and 46% were smokers. Patients were from 12 municipalities in the central-eastern region of the state. The most frequent site of the lesions was the larynx. Associated HIV and squamous cell carcinoma were both present in three cases., Conclusions: This is the first study to analyze PCM cases from central-eastern Rio Grande do Sul. PCM is endemic in southern Brazil, and more epidemiological data are needed, considering that its incidence may be higher than currently estimated, as demonstrated by our results., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest None to declare., (Copyright © 2022 SFMM. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Therapeutic targets in Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathies (IIM) are based on the opinions of physicians/specialists, which may not reflect the main concerns of patients. The authors, therefore, assessed the outcome concerns of patients with IIM and compared them with the concerns of rheumatologists in order to develop an IIM outcome standard set., Methods: Ninety-three IIM patients, 51 rheumatologists, and one physiotherapist were invited to participate. An open questionnaire was initially applied. The top 10 answers were selected and applied in a multiple-choice questionnaire, inquiring about the top 3 major concerns. Answers were compared, and the agreement rate was calculated. Concerns were gathered in an IIM outcome standard set with validated measures., Results: The top three outcome concerns raised by patients were medication side effects/muscle weakness/prevention functionality loss. The top three concerns among rheumatologists were to prevent loss of functionality/to ensure the quality of life/to achieve disease remission. Other's outcomes concerns only pointed out by patients were muscle pain/diffuse pain/skin lesions/fatigue. The agreement rate between both groups was 41%. Assessment of these parameters guided the development of an IIM standard set which included Myositis Disease Activity Assessment Visual Analogue Scale/Manual Muscle Testing/fatigue and pain Global Visual Analogue Scale/Health Assessment Questionnaire/level of physical activity., Conclusion: The authors propose a novel standard set to be pursued in IIM routine follow-up, which includes not only the main patients/rheumatologist outcome concerns but also additional important outcomes only indicated by patients. Future studies are necessary to confirm if this comprehensive approach will result in improved adherence and ultimately in better assistance., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2022 HCFMUSP. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL) is an inflammatory complication caused by a dysregulated immune response to Mycobacterium leprae . Some Toll-like receptors (TLRs) have been identified as capable of recognizing antigens from M. leprae , triggering a wide antimicrobial and inflammatory response. Genetic polymorphisms in these receptors could influence in the appearance of ENL as well as in its treatment. Thus, the objective of this work was to evaluate the association of genetic variants of TLRs genes with the response to treatment of ENL with thalidomide and prednisone. A total of 162 ENL patients were recruited from different regions of Brazil and clinical information was collected from their medical records. Genomic DNA was isolated from blood and saliva samples and genetic variants in TLR1 (rs4833095), TLR2 (rs3804099), TLR4 (rs1927914), and TLR6 (rs5743810) genes were genotyped by TaqMan real-time PCR system. In order to evaluate the variants' association with the dose of the medications used during the treatment, we applied the Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) analysis. In the present sample, 123 (75.9%) patients were men and 86 (53.1%) were in treatment for leprosy during the ENL episode. We found an association between polymorphisms in TLR1 /rs4833095, TLR2 /rs3804099, TLR4 /rs1927914, and TLR6 /rs5783810 with the dose variation of thalidomide in a time-dependent manner, i.e., the association with the genetic variant and the dose of the drug was different depending on the moment of the treatment evaluated. In addition, we identified that the association of polymorphisms in TLR1 /rs4833095, TLR2 /rs3804099, and TLR6 /rs5783810 with the dose variation of prednisone also were time-dependent. Despite these associations, in all the interactions found, the influence of genetic variants on dose variation was not clinically relevant for therapeutic changes. The results obtained in this study show that TLRs polymorphism might play a role in the response to ENL treatment, however, in this context, they could not be considered as useful biomarkers in the clinical setting due small differences in medication doses. A larger sample size with patients with a more genetic profile is fundamental in order to estimate the association of genetic variants with the treatment of ENL and their clinical significance., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Maciel-Fiuza, Costa, Kowalski, Schuler-Faccini, Bonamigo, Vetoratto, Eidt, de Moraes, Silveira, Camargo, Callegari-Jacques, Castro and Vianna.)

Videosurgery is increasingly used in veterinary medicine. Compared with open surgery, it has been shown to cause minimal pain and promote a more rapid recovery. There are various methods of assessing pain and postoperative inflammation in cats, although their particular behaviours may make these assessments difficult. The aim of this study was to compare levels of postoperative pain and inflammation after laparoscopic ovariectomy with an open minimally invasive technique. Twenty queens were randomly divided into two groups based on the method of haemostasis and surgical technique: (1) laparoscopic ovariectomy using a miniloop (miniloop group (MG)); and (2) minilaparotomy using a Snook hook (control group (CG)). Heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), end tidal CO 2 (EtCO 2 ) and body temperature were assessed using a multiparametric monitor during anaesthesia and surgery at defined surgical time points (preincision, left ovary manipulation, right ovary manipulation and skin suture). Blood samples (2 mL each) were collected from the jugular vein before surgery and 1, 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours, and 10 days, after endotracheal extubation for blood count analysis and to assess total protein and acute phase proteins (APP). EtCO 2 and RR were significantly higher in MG patients (P<0.001). HR was higher in the CG group for the duration of surgery (P=0.01). Temperature was significantly lower in MG patients (P<0.001). Pain assessment by dynamic interactive visual analogue scale showed no difference between groups or at specific moments of time within groups. Segmented neutrophil counts increased at 24 hours postoperatively and peaked at 48 and 72 hours in MG (P=0.01). The most important result among APPs was haptoglobin, which peaked at 72 hours in MG patients (P=0.001). Patients undergoing minilaparotomy and laparoscopy showed comparable postoperative pain. However, inflammatory changes such as APPs and neutrophil counts were increased in the laparoscopic group., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© British Veterinary Association 2018. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a minimally invasive approach, in which a photosensitiser compound is activated by exposure to visible light. The activation of the sensitiser drug results in several chemical reactions, such as the production of oxygen reactive species and other reactive molecules, whose presence in the biological site leads to the damage of target cells. Although PDT has been primarily developed to combat cancerous lesions, this therapy can be employed for the treatment of several conditions, including infectious diseases. A wide range of microorganisms, including Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria, viruses, protozoa and fungi have demonstrated susceptibility to antimicrobial photodynamic therapy. This treatment might consist of an alternative to the management of fungal infections. Antifungal photodynamic therapy has been successfully employed against Candida albicans and other Candida species and also against dermatophytes. The strain-dependent antifungal effect and the influence of the biological medium are important issues to be considered. Besides, the choice of photosensitiser to be employed in PDT should consider the characteristics of the fungi and the medium to be treated, as well as the depth of penetration of light into the skin. In the present review, the state-of-the-art of antifungal PDT is discussed and the photosensitiser characteristics are analysed., (© 2011 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.)

Lichen planus (LP) is a mucocutaneous disease of unknown etiology that is relatively common in adults but rarely present in childhood. LP has been documented in dental and medical literature; however, there are few cases with oral involvement in children. The purpose of this paper was to report an unusual case of oral lichen planus involving the upper lip in a 7-year-old girl. A diagnosis was made based on clinical examination and histopathology features. The treatment consisted of topical corticosteroid and intralesional injection. After treatment with an intralesional corticosteroid, a complete re- mission of lesions involving the lip was observed. The 3-year follow-up, however, revealed asymptomatic lichenoid bilaterally affecting the buccal mucosa. The patient is currently under regular review.

Candida yeasts are opportunistic pathogens responsible for infections in immunocompromised individuals. Among the virulence factors present in these yeasts we can mention the ability to adhere to host cells, exoenzyme production and germ tube formation. Several compounds, such as antifungal agents, plants extracts, protein inhibitors and surfactants, have been tested regarding their capacity in inhibit Candida spp. virulence factors. Among these compounds, a significant lower number of works are focused on the inhibition action caused by different types of surfactant. The present work aimed to evaluate the effect generated by the surfactants cetyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC), sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), N-hexadecyl-N-N'-dimethyl-3-ammonio-1-propane-sulfonate (HPS) and octylphenoxypolyethoxyethanol (Triton X-100) on the viability, adhesion ability and exoenzyme production by Candida species. CTAC and HPS were capable to inhibit Candida spp. growth at very low concentrations. All surfactants demonstrated to be capable to inhibit the adhesion of Candida species to buccal epithelial cells (BEC) and the proteinase production. On the other hand, the phospholipase production remained unaltered after the treatment with these compounds. The present data denote that cationic and zwitterionic surfactants are interesting prototypes of inhibitory agents against Candida spp., which is probably associated with the cationic punctual charge of both surfactants. The results are discussed in details in agreement with recent reports from literature.

Background: Tongue hyperpigmentation is a rare side effect in patients with hepatitis C virus infection who are receiving peginterferon alfa and ribavirin combination therapy. Tongue hyperpigmentation usually occurs after the patient has undergone several months of treatment, and it resolves after the patient discontinues therapy., Case Description: A 66-year-old dark-skinned woman with hepatitis C virus infection was referred to the Oral Diseases Treatment Center of São Leopoldo Mandic Dental School, Campinas, Brazil, for evaluation of tongue pigmentation after receiving peginterferon alfa and ribavirin combination therapy for 32 weeks. A physical examination showed dark brown, asymptomatic pigmentation in the dorsum of the tongue. Six months after the patient discontinued therapy, the authors observed a marked reduction in the pigmentation's intensity., Case Implications: Dentists should be aware that hyperpigmentation of the tongue can result from peginterferon alfa and ribavirin combination therapy. A biopsy should be performed if no firm diagnosis can be obtained from clinical findings and the patient's medical history.

An extension of the problem of a moderately focused Gaussian beam scattered by an arrangement of two parallel nonabsorbing dielectric cylinders of arbitrary refraction indexes and radii is developed. The feature introduced in the present solution is the relative angular position coordinate between the two cylinders (phi(0)) as a degree of freedom. Explicit dependence on this variable of scattering coefficients, beam shape coefficient, and extinction efficiency is given. Together with the displacement coordinate d, various other scattering configurations can be studied. The applicability of the solution is given in the form of extinction curves taking phi(0) as the main parameter for variation. The model is proposed as a means of investigating evanescent wave microscopy.

We develop a semiclassical theory to explain the rapid ripple fluctuations in the extinction efficiency of light scattering by a transparent prolate spheroid. The theory is based on uniform asymptotic expansion of spheroidal radial functions. We have calculated the extinction efficiency for normal and oblique incidence. Our results suggest that the excitation of resonant electromagnetic modes inside a spheroidal particle is an important factor in the ripple structure. To verify this assumption and based on a Breit-Wigner formula, we develop a method to fit the peaks that appear in the spheroid's extinction cross section when some scattering parameters vary. In other words, our calculations suggest that narrow resonances are related to ripple fluctuations, whereas broad resonances contribute to extinction cross-sectional background.

We study the resonant scattering of light by a transparent dielectric spheroid. We try to understand the features of the resonant modes of a spheroidal optical cavity. In this way, we use an analogy between optics and quantum mechanics. Through this analogy it is possible to interpret resonances as quasibound states of light. Using semiclassical methods such as the WKB method and a uniform asymptotic expansion for spheroidal radial functions, we developed algorithms that permit us to calculate the resonance position as well as the resonance width.