Intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) instillation is a widely used adjuvant therapy for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), typically associated with a favorable safety profile. However, severe complications such as systemic BCG infection, though rare, can occur and are potentially life-threatening. Diagnosing systemic BCG infection is challenging due to frequently negative microbiological results.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFibrillary glomerulonephritis (FGN) is a rare glomerular disease characterized by the deposition of fibrils within the mesangium and glomerular basement membrane. Most cases are idiopathic, but it can be linked to autoimmune diseases, neoplasms, and infections. There is limited evidence on the best treatment approach, and many patients progress to end-stage kidney disease.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt J Hyg Environ Health
March 2025
Trimethoprim (TMP) and sulfamethoxazole (SMX) are bacteriostatic agents, which are co-administered to patients during infection treatment due to their synergetic effects. Once consumed, TMP and SMX end up in wastewater and are directed to municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) which fail to remove these contaminants from municipal wastewater. The discharge of WWTP effluents containing antibiotics in the environment is a major concern for public health as it contributes to the spread of antimicrobial resistance.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: to evaluate the effectiveness of peripheral central catheterization by comparing the modified Seldinger technique and the conventional technique in critically ill newborns.
Methods: randomized unmasked clinical trial conducted in a public children's hospital. Participation of 111 newborns with randomized allocation, 56 in the control group (conventional technique) and 55 in the experimental group (modified Seldinger).
Objective: To describe the use of negative pressure wound therapy and hydrofiber dressing with silver in a pediatric patient with a hard-to-heal surgical wound infection.
Method: This is a descriptive professional experience report on the use of conventional dressings and negative pressure wound therapy in a pediatric patient with a surgical wound infection. It was developed in 2023 at a Public Health Service that is a reference in the care of pediatric patients in the state of Paraná.
Parrots produce stunning plumage colors through unique pigments called psittacofulvins. However, the mechanism underlying their ability to generate a spectrum of vibrant yellows, reds, and greens remains enigmatic. We uncover a unifying chemical basis for a wide range of parrot plumage colors, which result from the selective deposition of red aldehyde- and yellow carboxyl-containing psittacofulvin molecules in developing feathers.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: Social isolation and loneliness among older adults present serious public health challenges linked to increased dementia risk. This systematic review analyzes interventions addressing social isolation and loneliness in older adults and their cognitive effects to inform future dementia prevention programs.
Method: We systematically searched databases (PUBMED, PsycINFO, SCOPUS, EBSCO, and SAGE Journals) from February to May 2023 and updated from August to November 2023 using terms like social isolation, loneliness, intervention, and cognitive outcome.
Introduction Diabetes mellitus (DM) remains a primary cause of morbidity and mortality, leading to complications such as blindness, kidney failure, and lower limb amputations. Early detection of kidney damage, indicated by microalbuminuria (MA), is crucial for managing DM. Given the impact of these conditions, evaluating the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in diabetic populations within primary healthcare is essential.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFResidential care facilities (RCFs) are places where older people live and usually die. This exploratory qualitative study aims to describe the experiences and practices of the directors of Portuguese RCFs regarding residents' end of life and death. Data were obtained from 17 care facility directors (CFDs) who participated in three focus groups.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFComplement Ther Clin Pract
August 2024
Background: Arterial hypertension is a systemic condition that affects about 35% of the world population. The drugs that are used for its control can produce hyposalivation. This work evaluated the effect of photobiomodulation on salivary flow rate, salivary pH, total protein concentration, and calcium concentration in individuals using antihypertensive medications.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: This research comprises a pilot study of the CAI-Health, a new tool for the evaluation of decision-making capacity in healthcare. It aims to analyze the instrument's indicators of reliability and internal validity to conclude its final version.
Methods: A total of 89 participants were included, of which 22 had Alzheimer's Disease; 32 had mild cognitive impairment, and 35 were controls.
Alzheimers Res Ther
November 2023
Background: There are increasing reports on the cognitive and emotional benefits of positive reminiscence therapy in older people. The objective of this study is to assess the differential improvement of the quality of life for older people in different vital situations (three different types of aging) and from different countries by implementing a positive reminiscence therapy program (REMPOS).
Methods: The participants were 144 older adults above the age of 65, 77 participants from Spain (45 experimental groups, 32 control groups) and 67 from Mexico (34 experimental groups, 33 control groups).
Int J Tuberc Lung Dis
August 2023
Objective: To describe the use of the Fugulin scale to classify pediatric patients hospitalized in a respiratory unit as a subsidy for the allocation of human resources given the increase in cases of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome.
Method: Experience report conducted in a children's hospital in the Metropolitan Region of Curitiba with data collection from medical records and approved by the Institution and by the Research Ethics Committee.
Results: Between February and May 2022, the percentage of patients categorized in minimal and intermediate care decreased by 53 and 11.
Appl Neuropsychol Adult
September 2023
The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) is a brief cognitive screening instrument that is known for its good psychometric properties and sensitivity to detect mild cognitive impairment (MCI). After ten years, it became relevant to update the previous Portuguese normative study due to changes in the population and some limitations present in the study itself. The study sample was composed of 860 cognitively healthy adults, stratified according to verified distribution of the Portuguese population across several sociodemographic variables.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe main objective for this study is to analyze the impact of a positive reminiscence therapy program (REMPOS) in cognitive functioning and depressive symptomatology for older adults in different vital situations (healthy aging, mild cognitive impairment, and Alzheimer's disease).This is a transcultural comparative study (older people from Spain and Mexico). A randomized design with pre-posttest measurement and twelve groups was formulated, during a period of six months of intervention (3 in Mexico and 3 in Spain).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAlthough there are available treatments for cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), the drugs used are far from ideal, toxic, and costly, in addition to the challenge faced by the development of resistance. Plants have been used as a source of natural compounds with antileishmanial action. However, few have reached the market and become phytomedicines with registration in regulatory agencies.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe area destined for agricultural production in Paraná state in Brazil is ~6 million hectares, of which 79% are under no-tillage systems (NTS) that can positively affect earthworm populations. Furthermore, earthworm abundance and richness can be valuable soil quality. This study assessed earthworm communities in long-term no-tillage sites (NTS) and nearby secondary Atlantic Forest (SF) fragments.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Among the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development members, Portugal has the highest reported consumption of anxiolytics, hypnotics, and sedatives, of which a large proportion are benzodiazepines or related drugs. These are known to cause tolerance and dependence. Other drugs with hypnotic effect, such as antidepressants, antihistamines, antipsychotics, or anticonvulsants have been identified by some reports as alternatives to benzodiazepines for the treatment of insomnia.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe Brownian motion of a single particle is a paradigmatic model of the nonequilibrium dynamics of dissipative systems. In the system-plus-reservoir approach, one can derive the particle's equations of motion from the reversible dynamics of the system coupled to a bath of oscillators representing its thermal environment. However, extending the system-plus-reservoir approach to multiple particles in a collective environment is not straightforward, and conflicting models have been proposed to that end.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFUnprovoked venous thromboembolism (VTE) may be the earliest manifestation of cancer. According to recent studies, approximately 5% of patients with unprovoked VTE will be diagnosed with cancer within the first year of follow-up. Although screening extensively at the time of VTE diagnosis is attractive for clinicians, current clinical guidance documents suggest only a limited cancer screening strategy.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDouble-sided self-pierce riveting (DSSPR) has been presenting itself as a proper alternative to self-pierce riveting (SPR) with many advantages for joining geometries of different thicknesses and cross-sections. To ensure its successful future industrial application, this paper presents a detailed comparison between different strategies to produce mechanical joints by means of the DSSPR process and discusses its performance and feasibility. Results show that the use of flat-bottom holes in both sheets provide interesting results, since they allow for a precise positioning of the tubular rivet in specific pre-defined locations, thus avoiding an incorrect joining procedure.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis qualitative exploratory study aimed to describe the experiences and practices of care facility directors regarding residents dying in Portuguese residential care facilities (RCFs) before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data was obtained from 17 care director facilities who participated in focus groups. The data analysis followed the interpretative phenomenological approach.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFImportance: The number of innovations in health care based on the use of platforms, digital devices, apps, and artificial intelligence has grown exponentially in recent years. When used correctly, these technologies allow inequities in access to health care to be addressed by optimizing care and reducing social and geographic barriers. However, most of the technological health care solutions proposed have not undergone rigorous clinical studies.
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