Early and late new-onset of atrial fibrillation in acute coronary syndromes: Their differences in mortality and cardiac event.

Background: In a stressful situation like acute coronary syndrome (ACS), the occurrence of the first episode of atrial fibrillation is more frequent. The impact of the timing occurrence of AF new-onset (nAF) in the setting of ACS is still debatable.

Methods: Multicenter retrospective study based on the Acute Coronary Syndrome Portuguese National Registry, including 29 851 patients admitted for ACS between 1/10/2010 and 4/09/2019.

Impact of Vaccine and Immunity Passports in the Context of COVID-19: A Time Series Analysis in Overseas France.

(1) Background: By summer 2021, overseas France turned COVID-19 vaccine and immunity certificates into passports to open travel bubbles. Subsequently, its territories set French records for both COVID-19 and 6-month excess all-cause mortality. (2) Methods: Official time series were collected to compare time correlations between air traffic and COVID-19 transmission and mortality in overseas France, before and after the implementation of immunity passports.

Falls in Parkinson's disease: the impact of disease progression, treatment, and motor complications.

Unlabelled: The prevalence of Parkinson's disease (PD) tends to increase worldwide in the coming decades. Thus, the incidence of falls is likely to increase, with a relevant burden on the health care system.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate clinical factors and drug use associated with falls in PD patients.

Frequencies of genetic variants of the Rh, Kell, Duffy, Kidd, MNS and Diego systems of northwest Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

Introduction: To date, 340 antigen-organized 43 blood group systems are recognized, being ABO, Rh, Kell, Duffy, Kidd, MNS and Diego the most clinically relevant. The aim of this study was to assess the distribution of alleles and genotypes of the blood group systems Rh, Kell, Duffy, Kidd, MNS and Diego in 810 blood donors registered in the hemotherapy unit in northwest Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil METHODS: We evaluated the genetic variability of blood groups Rh (c.676G>C and c.

Efferocytosis of SARS-CoV-2-infected dying cells impairs macrophage anti-inflammatory functions and clearance of apoptotic cells.

COVID-19 is a disease of dysfunctional immune responses, but the mechanisms triggering immunopathogenesis are not established. The functional plasticity of macrophages allows this cell type to promote pathogen elimination and inflammation or suppress inflammation and promote tissue remodeling and injury repair. During an infection, the clearance of dead and dying cells, a process named efferocytosis, can modulate the interplay between these contrasting functions.

Diagnostic Agreement Among General Practitioners, Residents, and Senior Rheumatologists for Rheumatic Diseases.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the concordance of the diagnoses made by senior rheumatologists and those made by residents in rheumatology and by general practitioners (GPs).

Methods: In this cohort, 497 patients referred by GPs from August 1, 2018 to December 16, 2019 were evaluated first by a second-year resident in rheumatology. After clinical rounds, the diagnoses by senior rheumatologists were assumed as the criterion standard and defined the prevalence of the rheumatic diseases, divided into 5 groups: rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthritis, other connective tissue diseases and vasculitis, nonautoimmune rheumatic diseases, and nonrheumatic diseases.

Characteristics and outcomes of autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients admitted to intensive care units: A multicenter study.

Purpose: Studies of critically ill hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) recipients have mainly been single-center and focused on allogenic HSCT recipients. We aimed to describe a cohort of autologous HSCT with an unplanned intensive care unit (ICU) admission.

Methods: This study is a retrospective cohort study of autologous HSCT performed as a treatment for a hematological malignancy, during their first unplanned ICU admission in 50 hospitals in Brazil.

New drugs in cystic fibrosis: what has changed in the last decade?

Cystic fibrosis (CF), a life-limiting chronic disease caused by mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR) gene, affects more than 90,000 people worldwide. Until recently, the only available treatments were directed to symptom control, but they failed to change the course of the disease. New drugs developed in the last decade have the potential to change the expression, function, and stability of CFTR protein, targeting the basic molecular defect.

Symptom burden correlates to impairment of diffusion capacity and exercise intolerance in long COVID patients.

After acute infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, a considerable number of patients remains symptomatic with pathological changes in various organ systems. This study aimed to relate the physical and mental burden of symptoms of long COVID patients to the findings of a somatic evaluation. In patients with persistent long COVID symptoms three months after acute infection we assessed physical and mental health status using the SF-36 questionnaire.

Brain Stimulation Over the Motion-Sensitive Midtemporal Area Reduces Deleterious Effects of Mental Fatigue on Perceptual-Cognitive Skills in Basketball Players.

The objective of this study was to analyze the effect of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (a-tDCS) over the motion-sensitive midtemporal area on perceptual-cognitive skills (visuomotor and basketball decision-making skills) in mentally fatigued basketball players. A total of 20 male basketball players were recruited. This was a randomized, double-blinded, and counterbalanced crossover study with two experimental conditions: a-tDCS and Sham.

Factors affecting executive function performance of Brazilian elderly in the Stroop test.

Aging is related to a decrease in physiological abilities, especially cognitive functions. To unravel further evidence of age-related cognitive decline, we analyzed which physical and functional variables are predictors of cognitive performance in a sample of 498 Brazilian elderly (67.26% women).

Acute Cellular Rejection in Heart Transplant Patients: Insights of Global Longitudinal Strain, Myocardial Work, and an Exclusive Group of Chagas Disease.

Background: Echocardiographic markers associated with asymptomatic acute cellular rejection (ACR) in patients with orthotopic heart transplant (HT) are still under investigation. The aim of our study was to determine clinical and myocardial strain imaging (MSI) variables evaluated by echocardiography associated with ACR in the first year of HT. A separate analysis was performed to compare variables during the first 6 months of HT, when ACR has a prevalence in 60% of patients.

Low-Level Laser Therapy for Management of Hypersensitivity in Molar-Incisor Hypomineralization and Oral Health-Related Quality of Life: Case Report.

The aim was to report the use low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in the management of hypersensitivity in an adolescent with molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH) and the impact of LLLT on his oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). Clinical examination revealed severe MIH with hypersensitivity, in all first permanent molars and incisors. The treatment proposed was desensitization with fluoride and esthetic rehabilitation of the affected teeth.

Giving Voice to People - Experiences During Mild to Moderate Acute Exacerbations of COPD.

Background: Acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPDs) have a negative impact on health status and disease progression, but their clinical presentation is heterogenous. A comprehensive understanding of individuals' experiences during an AECOPD is needed to develop person-centered interventions, such as pulmonary rehabilitation (PR). This study aimed to explore people's experiences during mild to moderate AECOPDs, and their thoughts on PR during this period.

Incontinence outcomes in women undergoing retropubic mid-urethral sling: a retrospective cohort study comparing Safyre™ and handmade sling.

Purpose: This study examined and compared efficacy, safety, satisfaction, and complications of the retropubic Safyre™ sling and a retropubic hand-made synthetic sling (HMS) in a short-, mid- and long-term follow-up.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed a prospectively maintained database of women who underwent Safyre™ or HMS between March 7ths 2005 and December 27ths, 2017. Patients had first assessment (7-10 days), second (40-45 days), and third (sixth month) postoperatively.

Helminth infection modulates number and function of adipose tissue Tregs in high fat diet-induced obesity.

Background: Epidemiological and experimental studies have shown a protective effect of helminth infections in weight gain and against the development of metabolic dysfunctions in the host. However, the mechanisms Treg cells exert in the helminth-obesity interface has been poorly investigated. The present study aimed to verify the influence of Heligmosomoides polygyrus infection in early stages of high fat diet-induced obesity.

Evaluating the potential of lignosulfonates and chitosans as alfalfa hay preservatives using in vitro techniques.

Our objectives were to compare the antifungal activity of 5 lignosulfonates, and 2 chitosans against fungi isolated from spoiled hay, and assess the effects of an optimized lignosulfonate, chitosan, and propionic acid (PRP) on high-moisture alfalfa hay. In experiment 1, we determined the minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum fungicidal concentration of 4 sodium lignosulfonates, 1 magnesium lignosulfonate, 2 chitosans, and PRP (positive control) against Aspergillus amoenus, Mucor circinelloides, Penicillium solitum, and Debaromyces hansenii at pH 4 and 6. Among sodium lignosulfonates, the one from Sappi Ltd.

Effect of environmental education on the knowledge of aquatic ecosystems and reconnection with nature in early childhood.

Blue and green ecosystems are considered a key for the improvement of cities sustainability, providing numerous ecosystem services and habitat for many species. However, urban streams are still neglected and degraded, specially in southern European countries. One important step towards the rehabilitation of these ecosystems is the awareness of their importance by citizens.

Source apportionment of children daily exposure to particulate matter.

The present study aims to investigate the sources of particulate pollution in indoor and outdoor environments, with focus on determining their contribution to the exposure of children to airborne particulate matter (PM). To this end, parallel indoor and outdoor measurements were carried out for a selection of 40 homes and 5 schools between September 2017 and October 2018. PM2.

Outbreaks of Avipoxvirus Clade E in Vaccinated Broiler Breeders with Exacerbated Beak Injuries and Sex Differences in Severity.

Avipoxvirus affects chickens and wild birds, and it is characterized by lesions on the nonfeathered parts of the body (the cutaneous form), or necrotic lesions in the upper respiratory tract (the diphtheritic form). In poultry farming, avian pox is usually controlled by live attenuated vaccines. However, there have been many reports of outbreaks, even in flocks of vaccinated birds.

SARS-CoV-2 productively infects primary human immune system cells in vitro and in COVID-19 patients.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is associated with a hyperinflammatory state and lymphocytopenia, a hallmark that appears as both signature and prognosis of disease severity outcome. Although cytokine storm and a sustained inflammatory state are commonly associated with immune cell depletion, it is still unclear whether direct SARS-CoV-2 infection of immune cells could also play a role in this scenario by harboring viral replication. We found that monocytes, as well as both B and T lymphocytes, were susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection in vitro, accumulating double-stranded RNA consistent with viral RNA replication and ultimately leading to expressive T cell apoptosis.

Validation of Questionnaire to Assess the Impact of Dementia on the Family.

Objective: To validate a questionnaire to assess the impact of dementia on one of the household members.

Methods: Methodological study. The instrument was designed based on literature review, expert opinion, and researchers' experience and then applied to a non-probability convenience sample consisting of 262 family members who live daily with a person with dementia.

A Genetic Model of Epilepsy with a Partial Alzheimer's Disease-Like Phenotype and Central Insulin Resistance.

Studies have suggested an important connection between epilepsy and Alzheimer's disease (AD), mostly due to the high number of patients diagnosed with AD who develop epileptic seizures later on. However, this link is not well understood. Previous studies from our group have identified memory impairment and metabolic abnormalities in the Wistar audiogenic rat (WAR) strain, a genetic model of epilepsy.

Ellagic Acid prevents vascular dysfunction in small mesenteric arteries of ovariectomized hypertensive rats.

Cardiovascular diseases rank the top causes of death worldwide, with a substantial increase in women compared to men. Such increase can beexplained by the drastic decrease in 17-β-estradiol hormone during menopause and associated with endothelium-dependent vascular dysfunction. The current treatments for cardiovascular diseases (e.