Long-term impact of congenital Zika virus infection on the rat hippocampus: Neuroinflammatory, glial alterations and sex-specific effects.

Congenital Zika Syndrome (CZS) is a condition that arises when a neonate presents with abnormalities resulting from Zika virus infection during gestation. While microcephaly is a prominent feature of the syndrome, other forms of brain damage are also observed, often accompanied by significant neurological complications. It is therefore essential to investigate the long-term effects of CZS, with special attention to sex differences, particularly concerning hippocampal function, given its vulnerability to viral infections.

Aquatic Compared With Land-Based Exercises on Gross Motor Function of Children/Adolescents With Cerebral Palsy: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis.

Aim: This study aimed to compare gross motor function between aquatic- and land-based exercises in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP).

Methods: The authors conducted an electronic search of nine databases from their inception to 21 November 2024 (PROSPERO registration: CRD42020194121). Inclusion criteria were randomized controlled trials involving aquatic-based exercises for children and adolescents with CP, assessing gross motor function using standardized scales or tests.

Allelic variability in the Rpp1 locus conferring resistance to Asian soybean rust revealed by genome-wide association.

Soybean is a crucial crop for the Brazilian economy, but it faces challenges from the biotrophic fungus Phakopsora pachyrhizi, which causes Asian Soybean Rust (ASR). In this study, we aimed to identify SNPs associated with resistance within the Rpp1 locus, which is effective against Brazilian ASR populations. We employed GWAS and re-sequencing analyzes to pinpoint SNP markers capable of differentiating between soybean accessions harboring the Rpp1, Rpp1-b and other alternative alleles in the Rpp1 locus and from susceptible soybean cultivars.

Agreement of synchronous remote and in-person application of the Alberta Infant Motor Scale: Cohort study.

Introduction: Using standardized scales to assess motor development via telemedicine can increase access for low-income populations. Our aim was to verify the agreement and feasibility between remotely and synchronously applying the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) and the in-person format.

Methods: This was a concordance study, with 77 typical infants aged 4-18 months (mean = 13 months).

Risk of Bias and Methodological Critical Appraisal in Systematic Reviews of Non- and Micro-Invasive Caries Management for Primary and Permanent Teeth.

Introduction: Pediatric dentistry should rely on evidence-based clinical decisions supported by high-quality, unbiased systematic reviews (SRs). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to systematically evaluate the methodological quality and risk of bias of SRs focused on non- and micro-invasive treatment for caries lesions in primary and permanent teeth.

Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted in multiple databases, including MEDLINE/PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, EMBASE, Epistemonikos, and ProQuest, up to March 2023 to identify relevant systematic reviews (SRs) focused on non- and micro-invasive caries treatment.

Association between environmental factors during the COVID-19 pandemic and functioning of infants with biological risk in the first year of life: Cross-sectional exploratory study.

Background: Child development can be influenced by family and environmental factors, which changed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, it is important to explore how these factors are associated with the functioning of infants with biological risk in the first year of life.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate associations between family factors, home opportunities, caregiver perception of environmental support and barriers at home and environmental factors during the COVID-19 pandemic and gross motor skills and home participation in infants with biological risk in the first year of life.

Acrobatic training prevents motor deficits and neuronal loss in male and female rats following chronic cerebral hypoperfusion.

Background: Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion in vascular dementia leads to memory and motor deficits; Physical exercise improves these aspects and promotes neuroprotection. Sexual dimorphism may significantly influence both ischemic and exercise outcomes.

Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of 2VO (Two-Vessel occlusion) and the acrobatic training on motor function, functional performance, and tissue loss in male and female rats.

Neuroinflammation, blood-brain barrier dysfunction, hippocampal atrophy and delayed neurodevelopment: Contributions for a rat model of congenital Zika syndrome.

The congenital Zika syndrome (CZS) has been characterized as a set of several brain changes, such as reduced brain volume and subcortical calcifications, in addition to cognitive deficits. Microcephaly is one of the possible complications found in newborns exposed to Zika virus (ZIKV) during pregnancy, although it is an impacting clinical sign. This study aimed to investigate the consequences of a model of congenital ZIKV infection by evaluating the histopathology, blood-brain barrier, and neuroinflammation in pup rats 24 h after birth, and neurodevelopment of the offspring.

The psychometric properties and feasibility of the Alberta infant motor scale used in telehealth: A scoping review.

Background: Telehealth can be a viable option for improving equitable access to early motor assessment for financially vulnerable individuals.

Aim: This review aimed to identify the psychometric properties of the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) when applied via telehealth and assess its feasibility.

Methods: Papers were systematically retrieved from electronic databases until October 4, 2023.

Evaluation of the effects of COVID-19 on semen parameters and male infertility.

The new coronavirus pandemic resulted in millions of deaths in Brazil and around the world, and presented substantial challenges to society. The shortand long-term clinical manifestations tied to COVID-19 are still poorly understood, and may involve several organs and systems, including the male genital tract, which may lead to impaired fertility. The present study aimed to analyze, through an integrative literature review of articles available in databases, the effects of COVID-19 on parameters related to human semen quality.

Retrospective Study of Oral and Maxillofacial Trauma in Portuguese Population.

Objective: The increasing significance of medicolegal evaluation following maxillofacial traumatic events constitutes a complex issue. This clinical research aimed to assess the current etiology of oral and maxillofacial injuries in Portuguese population.

Material And Methods: An epidemiological clinical observational study was conducted in Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Norte on a sample of 384 subjects diagnosed with oral and maxillofacial trauma, between 2018 and 2020.

Potentially inappropriate medications and cognitive performance: cross-sectional results from the ELSA-Brasil study.

Objectives: Potentially inappropriate medications (PIM), especially those with potential effects on the central nervous system, can increase the risk of cognitive impairment. We investigated the association of the use of PIM and PIM that may impair cognition (PIM-Cog) with cognitive performance among older adults.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study with 2,626 participants, PIM and PIM-Cog were defined by the 2019 American Geriatrics Society Beers criteria.

Resistance exercise was safe for the pregnancy and offspring's development and partially protected rats against early life stress-induced effects.

Promising evidence points to gestational physical exercise as the key to preventing various disorders that affect the offspring neurodevelopment, but there are no studies showing the impact of resistance exercise on offspring health. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate whether resistance exercise during pregnancy is able to prevent or to alleviate the possible deleterious effects on offspring, caused by early life-stress (ELS). Pregnant rats performed resistance exercise throughout the gestational period:they climbed a sloping ladder with a weight attached to their tail, 3 times a week.

Salp blooms drive strong increases in passive carbon export in the Southern Ocean.

The Southern Ocean contributes substantially to the global biological carbon pump (BCP). Salps in the Southern Ocean, in particular Salpa thompsoni, are important grazers that produce large, fast-sinking fecal pellets. Here, we quantify the salp bloom impacts on microbial dynamics and the BCP, by contrasting locations differing in salp bloom presence/absence.

Review of the application of surfactants in microemulsion systems for remediation of petroleum contaminated soil and sediments.

Microemulsions are important for soil and sediment remediation technology. The characteristics of the surfactants that make up these microemulsions include low sorption into soil or sediments, low surface and interfacial tension, the ability to penetrate tiny pores, and good solubilization of contaminants. This review revealed that microemulsions formulated with nonionic and anionic surfactants have higher recovery efficiencies for hydrophobic contaminants than cationic ones, as evidenced by the surveyed studies reporting effective remediation of soils and sediments using on microemulsions.

Anticholinergic burden and cognitive performance: cross-sectional results from the ELSA-Brasil study.

Objectives: Using multiple drugs with anticholinergic properties is common and might lead to cumulative anticholinergic toxicity and increased risk of cognitive impairment. Therefore, we sought to investigate the association between the Anticholinergic Cognitive Burden (ACB) Scale and cognitive performance among middle-aged and older adults.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study with 13,065 participants from the baseline visit of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil), mean age was 51.

Telemonitoring of motor skills using the Alberta Infant Motor Scale for at-risk infants in the first year of life.

Introduction: Remote assessment creates opportunities for monitoring child development at home. Determining the possible barriers to and facilitators of the quality of telemonitoring motor skills allows for safe and effective practices. We aimed to: (1) determine the quality, barriers and facilitators of Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) home videos made by mothers; (2) verify interrater reliability; (3) determine the association between contextual factors and the quality of assessments.

Protist.guru: A Comparative Transcriptomics Database for Protists.

During the last few decades, the study of microbial ecology has been enabled by molecular and genomic data. DNA sequencing has revealed the surprising extent of microbial diversity and how microbial processes run global ecosystems. However, significant gaps in our understanding of the microbial world remain, and one example is that microbial eukaryotes, or protists, are still largely neglected.

Tele-care intervention performed by parents involving specific task- environment- participation (STEP protocol) for infants at risk for developmental delay: protocol of randomized controlled clinical trial.

Background: With the implementation of social distancing due to the Covid-19 pandemic, many at-risk infants are without therapy. An alternative mode of therapy in this situation is tele-care, a therapy in which assessments and interventions are carried out online, in the home environment. We describe a tele-care protocol involving parent delivered task and context specific movement training, participation and environmental adaptation for infants at risk for developmental delay.

Physical therapy with hippotherapy compared to physical therapy alone in children with cerebral palsy: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Aim: To compare the effects of physical therapy with hippotherapy versus physical therapy alone on the gross motor function of children and adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP).

Method: Electronic searches were conducted in January 2021. We included controlled trials of the gross motor function of children and adolescents with CP, aged 2 to 18 years.

Sex and age influence on postural sway during sit-to-stand movement in children and adolescents: Cross-sectional study.

We investigated the influence of sex and age in postural sway during sit-to-stand (STS) in children and adolescents of 5-15 years. We evaluated sway during STS in 86 typical participants. STS was divided into three phases: preparation, rising, and stabilization.