Immediate Effects of Distinct Intensities of Transcutaneous Spinal Direct Current Stimulation on Chronic Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

This study aimed to assess the immediate effects of transcutaneous spinal direct current stimulation (tsDCS) on pain outcomes, measured using the visual analog scale (VAS) and pressure pain thresholds in a cohort of 55 participants experiencing chronic pain using a controlled, randomized trial with 55 participants allocated into 2 groups: 2 mA and 0.5 mA of tsDCS for 20 min. Anodal stimulation was applied on the 12th thoracic vertebra, with the cathode positioned on the 7th cervical vertebra.

Heavy atom effects on synthetic pyranoanthocyanin analogues.

Pyranoflavylium cations are synthetic analogues of pyranoanthocyanins, the much more color-stable compounds that are formed spontaneously from grape anthocyanins during the maturation of red wines. In the present work, our studies of the photophysical properties of pyranoanthocyanin analogues are extended to include nine pyranoflavylium cations substituted with one or two bromo and/or iodo heavy atoms. The room temperature fluorescence, 77 K fluorescence and phosphorescence, triplet formation in solution, and sensitized singlet oxygen formation, with excited state acidity suppressed by the addition of trifluoroacetic acid, are compared to those of similar pyranoflavylium cations that do not contain a heavy atom.

Do Progressive Intensities of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation with and Without 40 Hz Binaural Beats Change Pre-Frontal Cortex Hemodynamics? A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is often reported to have positive effects on brain hemodynamics as well as cognitive performance. Binaural beats (BBs) have also shown the potential to improve cognitive performance. However, we could not find any studies assessing prefrontal hemodynamics using a combination of these techniques or assessing the effects on hemodynamic response at different intensity levels of tDCS (two and three mA).

Eccentric Force and Regional Biceps Femoris Muscle Excitation During Conventional and 80° Hip-Flexed Nordic Curl.

Context: Hamstring injuries are prevalent in high-intensity sports. The lesion often occurs with concomitant knee extension and hip flexion. The Nordic curl has been suggested to prevent such injury, mainly due to its eccentric hamstring activation.

Should I prescribe exercise to a patient with an immobilized shoulder? An electromyographic study in patients with unilateral shoulder pain and healthy volunteers.

Background: There is limited evidence about exercise performance during postoperative immobilization. This study aimed to quantify the muscle activity in the immobilized shoulder girdle in an abduction and neutral rotation position during a battery of contralateral activities and ipsilateral exercises of the upper limb in healthy volunteers and patients with unilateral shoulder pain (USP).

Methods: Thirty participants were included and grouped as without ( = 17) or with USP ( = 13).

Incidence and biomechanical risk factors for running-related injuries: A prospective cohort study.

Background: Injuries among runners is significant, yet the contributing risk factors remain elusive. The objective of this study was to examined the incidence and biomechanical elements associated with running-related injuries.

Methods: A 24-week prospective study was carried out.

Effects of simulated low-temperature thermal remediation on the microbial community of a tropical creosote contaminated soil.

In the search for more sustainable remediation strategies for PAH-contaminated soils, an integrated application of thermal remediation and bioremediation (TEB) may allow the use of less impacting temperatures by associating heating to biological degradation. However, the influence of heating on soil microbiota remains poorly understood, especially in soils from tropical regions. This work investigated the effects of low-temperature heating on creosote-contaminated soil bacteria.

Digital Health in Brazil: Trends and Opportunities.

The aim of this paper is to present the evolution of Digital Health (DH) in Brazil, in relation to the adoption of DH as a basis for the development of public policies, with a focus on improving the delivery of health care to patients and expanding its coverage. Data from the ICT in Health survey from the Regional Centre for Studies on the Development of the Information Society (Cetic.br) were analysed.

miRNAs and NFKB1 and TRAF6 target genes: The initial functional study in CD14+ monocytes in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

We predicted miRNAs with regulatory impact on NFKB1 and TRAF6 gene expression and selected the miR-194-5p, miR-124-3p, miR-9-5p, and miR-340-5p and their target genes for expression analyses on CD14+ monocytes from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and healthy controls. Additionally, we evaluated the influence of genes and miRNA expression on RA patients' cytokine levels. No difference was observed in genes or miRNAs expression when compared to healthy controls and RA patients or clinical parameters.

Farnesyl Diphosphate Synthase Gene Associated with Loss of Bone Mass Density and Alendronate Treatment Failure in Patients with Primary Osteoporosis.

Aminobisphosphonates (NBPs) are the first-choice medication for osteoporosis (OP); NBP treatment aims at increasing bone mineral density (BMD) by inhibiting the activity of farnesyl diphosphate synthase (FDPS) enzyme in osteoclasts. Despite its efficacy, inadequate response to the drug and side effects have been reported. The A allele of the rs2297480 (A > C) SNP, found in the regulatory region of the gene, is associated with reduced gene transcription.

Implementation of the Fast-track Protocol for Total Hip Arthroplasty in a Public Hospital in the State of São Paulo - Brazil.

 Evaluate the results of the implementation of the Fast Track Protocol (FTP), a medical practice based on scientific evidence, for elective total hip arthroplasty surgery, mainly comparing the National Average Hospital Admission Rate of 7.1 days.  98 patients who underwent elective total hip arthroplasty surgery via the direct anterior approach, anterolateral approach and posterior approach were included in the FTP from December 2018 to March 2020, being followed up preoperatively, intraoperatively and immediately postoperatively.

Effectiveness of wearing masks during the COVID-19 outbreak in cohort and case-control studies: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of wearing a mask to prevent COVID-19 infection.

Methods: This was a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort and case-control studies, considering the best level of evidence available. Electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Clinical Trials.

The II Brazilian Guidelines for the pharmacological treatment of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 Joint Guidelines of the Associação Brasileira de Medicina de Emergência, Associação de Medicina Intensiva Brasileira, Associação Médica Brasileira, Sociedade Brasileira de Angiologia e Cirurgia Vascular, Sociedade Brasileira de Infectologia, Sociedade Brasileira de Pneumologia e Tisiologia and Sociedade Brasileira de Reumatologia.

Objective: To update the recommendations to support decisions regarding the pharmacological treatment of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in Brazil.

Methods: Experts, including representatives of the Ministry of Health and methodologists, created this guideline. The method used for the rapid development of guidelines was based on the adoption and/or adaptation of existing international guidelines (GRADE ADOLOPMENT) and supported by the e-COVID-19 RecMap platform.

Pan-American Guidelines for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19: a joint evidence-based guideline of the Brazilian Society of Infectious Diseases (SBI) and the Pan-American Association of Infectious Diseases (API).

Background: Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, therapeutic options for treating COVID-19 have been investigated at different stages of clinical manifestations. Considering the particular impact of COVID-19 in the Americas, this document aims to present recommendations for the pharmacological treatment of COVID-19 specific to this population.

Methods: Fifteen experts, members of the Brazilian Society of Infectious Diseases (SBI) and the Pan-American Association of Infectious Diseases (API) make up the panel responsible for developing this guideline.

Study of creosote transport properties in sandy and clay soils.

Creosote is an organic pollutant formed by a complex mixture of highly toxic and carcinogenic compounds and classified as a dense non-aqueous phase liquid (DNAPL). Its migration depends on media and fluid properties that control the multiphase flow in the subsurface. Residual saturation and hydraulic conductivity are essential parameters to accurately simulate fluid displacement in porous media.

No Evidence of Short-term Changes in Muscle Activity Elicited by Dry Needling in Chronic Unilateral Shoulder Pain Patients.

Objective: The aim of the study was to assess short-term changes in shoulder muscle activity elicited by dry needling in chronic unilateral shoulder pain (USP) patients.

Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted, in which 30 volunteers with USP were recruited and randomly assigned to either real or sham dry needling conditions. Pain intensity scores, pressure pain threshold, glenohumeral internal rotation angles, and electromyographic activity during isotonic shoulder tasks (shoulder flexion and extension) were assessed before, immediately, and 72 hours after the intervention in the infraspinatus and deltoid muscles.

Smoking induces increased apoptosis in osteoblasts: changes in bone matrix organic components.

Clinical studies demonstrate the impact of smoking on bone tissue fragility and higher incidence of fractures. However, it is not totally understood which physiological mechanisms could be involved in these events. Previously, we showed important changes in bone tissue components in experimental model of cigarette smoke (CS) exposure.

Vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms influence on clinical profile and bone mineral density at different skeletal sites in postmenopausal osteoporotic women.

Bone remodeling is marked by bone synthesis and absorption balance, and any altered dynamic in this process leads to osteoporosis (OP). The interaction of hormonal, environmental and genetic factors regulate bone metabolism. Since vitamin D displays a classic role in bone metabolism regulation, acting through vitamin D receptor (VDR), the genetic variants within VDR were the first ones associated with bone density and remodelling.

Can Polymorphisms in NLRP3 Inflammasome Complex Be Associated with Postmenopausal Osteoporosis Severity?

Unlabelled: The immune system plays a critical role in bone homeostasis and, consequently, in the pathophysiology of postmenopausal osteoporosis (OP) since estrogen deficiency induces the inflammasome and increases production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1β and IL-18. NLRP3 inflammasome complex genes have been related with bone homeostasis in cellular and animal models. Here, we performed an association study evaluating SNVs (single-nucleotide variants) in inflammasome NLRP3 pathway genes (NLRP3, CARD8, CASP1, IL-18, and IL-1β) to assess whether variants in these genes could be related to susceptibility to primary OP in postmenopausal women.

Magnetic signatures of a creosote oil contaminated site: case study in São Paulo, Brazil.

Soils and groundwater contamination modifies the physical-chemical conditions of the environment, altering natural biogeochemical processes of the ground. As a result, several mineral transformations occur, in which iron plays a decisive role. The presence of iron enables the study of magnetic properties, improving the understanding of the geophysical signatures of highly dynamic environments (e.