Publications by authors named "Almeida Pedro"

The genus Wittmackia has 44 species distributed in two centers of diversity: the Brazilian clade and the Caribbean clade. The Brazilian clade includes 29 species, with geographic distribution concentrated in the Northeast of Brazil. This study reports the morphology, ultrastructure, pollen viability and stigma receptivity by different microscopy techniques of 23 species of the genus Wittmackia endemic to Brazil and occurring in Atlantic Forest areas.

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Introduction: Dysphagia is a common post-stroke neurological disorder. Early screening for dysphagia can identify patients at risk of aspiration, thereby reducing the occurrence of pulmonary complications, morbidity, and mortality in this population.

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the impact of an intervention in a stroke unit, following a retrospective study carried out in the same unit in 2020, which investigated the association between dysphagia and acute cerebrovascular disease and analyzed the prevalence of readmissions due to respiratory tract infections (RTI) and mortality.

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Introduction: Infantile hypotonia with psychomotor retardation and characteristic facies-1 (IHPRF1, MIM#615419) is a rare, birth onset, autosomal recessive disorder caused by homozygous or compound heterozygous truncating variants in gene (MIM#611549) resulting in a loss-of-function effect.

Methods: We enrolled a new IHPRF1 patients' cohort in the framework of an international multicentric collaboration study. Using specialized pathogenicity predictors and structural analyses, we assessed the mechanistic consequences of the deleterious variants retrieved on NALCN structure and function.

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While mostly de novo truncating variants in SCAF4 were recently identified in 18 individuals with variable neurodevelopmental phenotypes, knowledge on the molecular and clinical spectrum is still limited. We assembled data on 50 novel individuals with SCAF4 variants ascertained via GeneMatcher and personal communication. With detailed evaluation of clinical data, in silico predictions and structural modeling, we further characterized the molecular and clinical spectrum of the autosomal dominant SCAF4-associated neurodevelopmental disorder.

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Article Synopsis
  • The introduction of antiretroviral therapy (ART) over the past 20 years has not eliminated challenges in adherence among people living with HIV, despite initiatives promoting "Test and Treat" and rapid ART start.
  • A review of 16 out of 2415 articles on ART adherence in sub-Saharan Africa from 2016 to 2023 showed adherence rates varied widely (43% to 84%) across different regions, with self-reporting often being unreliable.
  • Key barriers to ART adherence included comorbidities, lack of motivation, socioeconomic challenges, and side effects, underscoring the need for solutions to improve compliance and overall access to treatment.
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Iberian barbel (Luciobarbus bocagei Steindachner, 1864) and Iberian nase (Pseudochondrostoma polylepis Steindachner, 1864) are two Mediterranean potamodromous fish species known to perform annual upstream migrations to reach spring spawning grounds. In the Mondego River basin, at the Coimbra dam, migratory movement patterns and individual size structure were assessed through a video recording monitoring system installed on an upstream section of a vertical-slot fish pass. Visual census for these target species during two consecutive annual cycles (2013-2014) revealed alternative migratory patterns, with the first peak of upstream movements in autumn, for both barbel (October-November) and nase (November-December).

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Trained Immunity is defined as a biological process normally induced by exogenous or endogenous insults that triggers epigenetic and metabolic reprogramming events associated with long-term adaptation of innate immune cells. This trained phenotype confers enhanced responsiveness to subsequent triggers, resulting in an innate immune "memory" effect. Trained Immunity, in the past decade, has revealed important benefits for host defense and homeostasis, but can also induce potentially harmful outcomes associated with chronic inflammatory disorders or autoimmune diseases.

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Introduction: Pro-resolving molecules may curb disease caused by viruses without altering the capacity of the host to deal with infection. AP1189 is a melanocortin receptor-biased agonist endowed with pro-resolving and anti-inflammatory activity. We evaluated the preclinical and early clinical effects of treatment with AP1189 in the context of COVID-19.

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Background And Objective: In an effort to limit the risks associated with medical radiation exposure, the last century witnessed the development of dose control mechanisms, recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection. This organization recommends the optimization of radiation protection to provide the highest level of safety that may reasonably be achievable. Adhering to the "as low as reasonably achievable" principle, the purpose of this study was to monitor the 18 F-FDG injected activity in PET and optimize the radiation protection through an internal audit process.

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  • This work discusses a restorative method using composite resin to enhance the appearance of darkened front teeth in a 27-year-old woman who experienced dental darkening from childhood trauma.
  • The treatment involved a series of steps including periodontal intervention for gum recovery, endodontic procedures, and aesthetic restoration through internal bleaching.
  • The innovative "reverse technique" preserved the original enamel while effectively restoring the aesthetics, with successful outcomes observed after one year.
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Purpose: We aim to compare interfragmentary compression with the position osteosynthesis in the fixation of different femoral neck fractures (FN) in synthetic bones subjected to vertical load.

Methods: Forty-two synthetic femurs were subjected to neck fractures and separated into 3 groups according to the Pauwels classification: Pauwels I had 6 units (PI); Pauwels II, 24 units, with and without comminution (PII); and Pauwels III, 12 units, with and without comminution (PIII). After, they were fixed with 2 different ways: three 7, 0 mm cannulated lag screws (CSs) versus three 6, 5 mm solid fully threaded screws (SSs).

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Cardiac Computed Tomography (CCT) has become a reliable imaging modality in cardiology providing robust information on the morphology and structure of the heart with high temporal and isotropic spatial resolution. For the past decade, there has been a paradigm shift in the management of valvular heart disease since previously unfavorable candidates for surgery are now provided with less-invasive interventions. Transcatheter heart valve interventions provide a real alternative to medical and surgical management and are often the only treatment option for valvular heart disease patients.

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Article Synopsis
  • - A 79-year-old male was hospitalized due to chronic fatigue and respiratory issues, along with swelling and kidney and heart complications, following a recent SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and upper respiratory infection.
  • - Laboratory tests indicated positive Epstein-Barr virus PCR and imaging revealed multiple enlarged lymph nodes, worsening existing conditions like polyserositis and hepatosplenomegaly.
  • - Despite undergoing surgery to remove a lymphatic nodule diagnosed with human herpesvirus 8 multicentric Castleman disease and receiving aggressive treatment, the patient's condition rapidly deteriorated into multiorgan failure, ultimately leading to death.
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Every year, millions of people suffer some form of illness associated with the consumption of contaminated food. Escherichia coli (E. coli), found in the intestines of humans and other animals, is commonly associated with various diseases, due to the existence of pathogenic strains.

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With the previous knowledge of the cardioprotective effects of the Angiotensin-(1-7) axis, a agonist of Mas receptor has been described, the CGEN-856S. This peptide is more stable than Ang-(1-7), and has a low binding affinity to Angiotensin II receptors. Although the cardioprotective effects of CGEN-856S were previously shown in vivo, the mechanisms behind its effects are still unknown.

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To investigate the potential benefits of the catadromous thinlip grey mullet (Chelon ramada Risso, 1827) migration to freshwater, the total lipid content and fatty acid (FA) profile of female's muscle and gonads caught in both the estuary and river were analyzed. The freshwater contingent presented a higher body condition, greater muscle gross energy, and larger gonads with higher lipid reserves. These animals showed a muscle profile rich in C16:1n-7 and lower LC-PUFA that contrast with the higher relative amount of C18:1n-9, n-3 FA, and unsaturated LC-PUFA, such as C18 and C20 FA found in the estuarine contingent.

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Unlabelled: In early symptomatic COVID-19 treatment, high dose oral favipiravir did not accelerate viral clearance.

Background: Favipiravir, an anti-influenza drug, has in vitro antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2. Clinical trial evidence to date is inconclusive.

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Connecting vehicles to the Internet is an emerging challenge of wireless networks. There are two competing methods for achieving this. First, the wireless local area network (WLAN) approach is based on the IEEE 802.

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Introduction: it is estimated that approximately 20 million people undergo inguinal hernia surgery annually in the world, with the Lichtenstein technique being the most performed surgical procedure. The objective of this study is to analyze the knowledge of the technical principles used in the Lichtenstein technique.

Method: Survey-type intersectional study approved by the research ethics committee of São Camilo University Center (CAAE: 70036523.

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The CNV is analyzed in tasks related to EEG studies, often with participants presenting psychopathic personality traits. A systematic search of the literature was conducted, to solve some inconsistencies regarding CNV amplitude modulation by psychopathy. Nine studies (N = 317) were retrieved for analysis.

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Background: Working part-time or full-time is a persistent dilemma for women, especially mothers, as they strive to manage their time across various roles. However, the existing literature remains unclear on whether part-time work contributes more to life satisfaction than full-time work.

Objective: This study aims to describe and compare time-use patterns in different occupational roles and levels of life satisfaction among 795 mothers in Brazil who are employed either part-time or full-time.

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