Publications by authors named "ALMEIDA N"

Evaporation or freezing of water-rich fluids with dilute concentrations of dissolved salts can produce brines, as observed in closed basins on Earth and detected by remote sensing on icy bodies in the outer Solar System. The mineralogical evolution of these brines is well understood in regard to terrestrial environments, but poorly constrained for extraterrestrial systems owing to a lack of direct sampling. Here we report the occurrence of salt minerals in samples of the asteroid (101955) Bennu returned by the OSIRIS-REx mission.

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Herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) can invade the central nervous system (CNS). However, antiviral drugs used to treat HSV-1 have significant toxicity and resistance. An alternative approach involves the use of the CRISPR/Cas9 complex as a viral replication inhibitor.

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Background: Glioblastoma (GBM) is a common brain tumor with a poor prognosis. There is a paucity of knowledge regarding optimal treatment approaches for elderly patients with GBM who have a relatively good Karnofsky (KPS) or Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status. This study compared treatment outcomes in older patients (≥65) with GBM based on their performance status, either high (KPS ≥ 70 and ECOG < 2) or low (KPS < 70 and ECOG ≥ 2), who underwent hypofractionated radiotherapy (HFRT) (40 Gy in 15 fractions) versus conventional fractionation (60 Gy in 30 fractions).

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The role of myeloid cells in the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 is well established, in particular as drivers of cytokine production and systemic inflammation characteristic of severe COVID-19. However, the potential for myeloid cells to act as bona fide targets of productive SARS-CoV-2 infection, and the specifics of entry, remain unclear. Using a panel of anti-SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) we performed a detailed assessment of antibody-mediated infection of monocytes/macrophages.

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Orange juice is widely consumed worldwide due to its sensory and nutritional characteristics. This beverage is susceptible to contamination by acidic-tolerant microorganisms due to its low pH, especially filamentous fungi and yeasts. To minimize fungal spoilage, companies usually submit juice to thermal treatments; sanitizers are also applied on surfaces to maintain the microbiological quality.

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Background: The utilization of PD1 and CTLA4 inhibitors has revolutionized the treatment of malignant melanoma (MM). However, resistance to targeted and immune-checkpoint-based therapies still poses a significant problem.

Objective: Here, we mine large-scale MM proteogenomic data to identify druggable targets and forecast treatment efficacy and resistance.

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Background/objectives: Robust evidence regarding the management after endoscopic resection of malignant colorectal polyps (MCP) is lacking. Inconsistencies in reporting on potential prognostic factors hinder the decision process. To address these issues, the Scottish Screen-detected Polyp Cancer Study (SSPoCS) introduced an algorithm based in two easily obtainable variables: resection margin and lymphovascular invasion.

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Background And Objective: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we compared the effectiveness of the combined m-health and a cardiac rehabilitation program (CRP) and of CRP alone on functional capacity, adherence to CRP, and management of cardiovascular risk factors in cardiac patients.

Methods: Medline, EMBASE, Central, PEDro, and SPORTDiscus were searched, from inception until July 2020, for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the m-health with CRP combination with CRP alone for adults with heart disease. The PEDro scale and GRADE approach was used to assess methodological and overall quality, respectively.

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This study aimed to address issues related to hydrophilicity, barrier properties, and mechanical performance in starch-based films by incorporating Pickering emulsions stabilized with nano-fibrillated bacterial cellulose (BC). Emulsions were added to the film-forming suspension at varying concentrations (1.0%, 2.

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Importance: The role of prophylactic percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube placement in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients treated with chemoradiation remains controversial and varies by center.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of prophylactic PEG tube placement in patients undergoing chemoradiation for HNC PEG tube use for more than 6 months and weight loss.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This single-institution retrospective study included 502 patients with head and neck cancer.

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Article Synopsis
  • Beta-lactam allergy is a significant public health concern, especially among Brazilian children and adolescents, and this study aims to evaluate the safety of direct Oral Provocation Tests (OPT) for this group.
  • A cross-sectional study involved 54 children aged 1 to 17 with mild reactions to penicillin, using amoxicillin for the testing, and employed statistical methods to analyze results.
  • The findings indicated that over 90% of participants were no longer considered allergic, with only a 7.5% positivity rate for the tests, and no serious reactions were reported, suggesting that the OPT is safe but calling for further research on its duration.
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Clitoral hypertrophy is a condition that has a negative impact on a womans intimate life and can cause embarrassment and impact on her sexual life. The article describes a surgical technique of clitoroplasty performed with a 360° circumferential subcoronal incision only in the skin and Dartos tunica to avoid neuronal damage, followed by degloving to the base of the clitoris, preserving the dorsal neurovascular bundle. The body of the clitoris was amputated, preserving 0.

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With the advent of advanced sequencing technologies, new insights into the genomes of pathogens, including those in the genus Curtobacterium, have emerged. This research investigates a newly isolated C. flaccumfaciens strain 208 (Cf208) from Arthrocereus glaziovii, and endemic plant from Iron Quadrangle.

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Background/objectives: To determine the impact of stereotactic radiosurgery on outcomes of metastatic breast cancer with intracranial metastases.

Methods: We systematically searched the PubMed and EMBASE databases for studies published between 1 January 1990 and 1 August 2024. Primary research articles evaluating the outcomes of stereotactic radiosurgery on intracranial metastases from breast cancer were included.

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We report a case of Burkholderia mallei causing glanders in a 73-year-old patient from the Northeast Region of Brazil. The patient was hospitalized with severe pneumonia. PCR and genomic sequencing confirmed B.

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Article Synopsis
  • PFAS are a group of environmental pollutants linked to health issues, particularly disrupting thyroid functions.
  • The study reveals that mid- to long-chain PFAS can inhibit the synthesis of the thyroid hormone T4 by altering hydrogen bond networks and the orientation of residues necessary for hormone production.
  • Sulfonic PFAS are found to be more toxic and impactful on thyroid function than carboxylic PFAS, indicating specific PFAS types pose greater risks to thyroid health.
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Article Synopsis
  • Trachoma is a leading cause of blindness worldwide, particularly affecting certain demographics in Brazil, as analyzed in a study of data from 2000 to 2022.
  • The study found a small number of hospital admissions and deaths specifically related to trachoma, but highlighted that it disproportionately impacts males, older adults, and specific regions of Brazil.
  • The findings emphasize the need for ongoing monitoring and evaluation of trachoma data and efforts to eliminate this neglected disease, despite its low prevalence in the country.
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Unlabelled: Worldwide, approximately one fifth of all cases of diarrhea are associated with norovirus, mainly in children, with a defined seasonality in temperate climates, but seasonal dynamics are less known in tropical climates. The objective was to investigate the impact of external clinical, epidemiological, and climatic factors on norovirus detection rates in samples from children under 5 years of age from Roraima, the Amazon region of Brazil. A total of 941 samples were included.

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Fresh water sources, including lakes, such as the Great Lakes, are some of the most important ecosystems in the world. Despite the importance of these lakes, there is increasing concern about the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)─among the most prevalent contaminants of our time─due to the ability of PFAS to bioaccumulate and persist in the environment, as well as to its linkages to detrimental human and animal health effects. In this study, PFAS exposure on rainbow trout () is examined at the molecular level, focusing on the impact of PFAS binding on the alpha (α) and beta (β) estrogen receptors (ERs) using molecular dynamics simulations, binding free energy calculations, and structural analysis.

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The periodontal tissue is made up of supporting tissues and among its functions, it promotes viscoelastic properties, proprioceptive sensors, and dental anchorage. Its progressive destruction by disease leads to the loss of bone and periodontal ligaments. For this reason, biomaterials are constantly being developed to restore tissue function.

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The objective of the present study was to evaluate the carbon fiber obtained from textile PAN fiber, in its different forms, as a potential scaffolds synthetic bone. Thirty-four adult rats were used (Rattus norvegicus, albinus variation), two critical sized bone defects were made that were 5 mm in diameter. Twenty-four animals were randomly divided into four groups: control (C)-bone defect + blood clot, non-activated carbon fiber felt (NACFF)-bone defect + NACFF, activated carbon fiber felt (ACFF)-bone defect + ACFF, and silver activated carbon fiber felt (Ag-ACFF)-bone defect + Ag-ACFF, and was observed by 15 and 60 days for histomorphometric, three-dimensional computerized microtomography (microCT) and mineral apposition analysis.

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