Real-world tafamidis experience in hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis with peripheral neuropathy in Brazil.

Background:  Tafamidis is a kinetic stabilizer that binds to the transthyretin (TTR) gene, inhibiting its dissociation. It is the only disease-modifying treatment for hereditary TTR amyloidosis with peripheral neuropathy (ATTRv-PN) available in the National Therapeutic Form (Formulário Terapêutico Nacional, FTN, in Portuguese) of the Brazilian Unified Health System (Sistema Único de Saúde, SUS, in Portuguese).

Objective:  To assess if the efficacy and safety of tafamidis in the Brazilian real-world experience are comparable to the results of clinical trials.

NMR Studies on the Structure of Yeast Sis1 and the Dynamics of Its Interaction with Ssa1-EEVD.

HSP70 chaperones play pivotal roles in facilitating protein folding, refolding, and disaggregation through their binding and releasing activities. This intricate process is further supported by J-domain proteins (JDPs), also known as DNAJs or HSP40s, which can be categorized into classes A and B. In yeast, these classes are represented by Ydj1 and Sis1, respectively.

Pharmacogenomic associations with HIV-1 virologic suppression in TB/HIV patients.

Background: Human genetic variants can affect TB and HIV drug metabolism, which may lead to toxicity or treatment failure. We evaluated associations between genetic variants of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and HIV-1 outcomes among TB/HIV patients.

Methods: We included RePORT-Brazil participants with TB/HIV who initiated standard TB treatment [2 months of isoniazid/rifampicin (or rifabutin)/pyrazinamide/ethambutol, then 4 months or more of isoniazid/rifampicin (or rifabutin)], and ART.

Backbone NMR resonance assignment of Sis1, a type B J-domain protein from Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

J-domain proteins (JDPs) are essential cochaperones of heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70), as they bind and deliver misfolded polypeptides while also stimulating ATPase activity, thereby mediating the refolding process and assisting Hsp70 in maintaining cellular proteostasis. Despite their importance, detailed structural information about JDP‒Hsp70 complexes is still being explored due to various technical challenges. One major challenge is the lack of more detailed structural data on full-length JDPs.

Optimal multiwave validation of secondary use data with outcome and exposure misclassification.

Observational databases provide unprecedented opportunities for secondary use in biomedical research. However, these data can be error-prone and must be validated before use. It is usually unrealistic to validate the whole database because of resource constraints.

Ischemic Stroke in a Young Patient With Rheumatic Mitral Stenosis.

Rheumatic fever is the most common cause of mitral stenosis worldwide. Embolic events represent severe complications of mitral stenosis. We describe the case of a 45-year-old women who had an ischemic stroke as the initial manifestation of previously unrecognized mitral stenosis in the absence of atrial fibrillation.

Pharmacogenetics of tuberculosis treatment toxicity and effectiveness in a large Brazilian cohort.

Background: Genetic polymorphisms have been associated with risk of antituberculosis treatment toxicity. We characterized associations with adverse events and treatment failure/recurrence among adults treated for tuberculosis in Brazil.

Methods: Participants were followed in Regional Prospective Observational Research in Tuberculosis (RePORT)-Brazil.

Implementation of spirometry screening for post-tuberculosis lung disease (PTLD) among adolescents and adults enrolled within the National Tuberculosis Control Program of Carmelo Hospital in Chókwè District, Mozambique: A hybrid type III effectiveness-implementation study protocol.

Background: Despite receiving adequate treatment, many tuberculosis (TB) survivors are left with post-tuberculosis complications, possibly due to lung tissue damage incurred during the active period of the disease. Current TB programs worldwide deliver quality care throughout the course of active TB treatment, yet often fail to provide organized follow-up once treatment ends. Post-tuberculosis lung disease (PTLD) is a prominent, yet underrecognized cause of chronic lung disease, managed similarly to chronic respiratory diseases with pharmacotherapy and/or personalized pulmonary rehabilitation interventions.

The Effect of Different Storage Temperatures over Time on the pH of Mammary Gland Secretions in Periparturient Mares.

The objectives of this study were (i) to determine pH and electrolyte concentrations in MGS collected prepartum and at parturition, (ii) to characterize mare milk pH during the first week postpartum, and (iii) to evaluate pre-foaling MGS pH at three storage temperatures. This study outlined two hypotheses: (i) all mares exhibit acidic pH, increased calcium, magnesium, and potassium, and reduced sodium concentrations regardless of prepartum pH and electrolytes; (ii) pre-foaling MGS pH varies with storage temperature and time in an initial value-dependent manner. Twenty-three multiparous mares were monitored daily from 320 days of gestation until parturition.

The burden of systemic therapy administration route in treating HER2-positive breast cancer (for patients, healthcare professionals, and healthcare system): a systematic literature review.

Introduction: Breast cancer (BC) is one of the leading causes of cancer and is the first cause of death from malignant tumors among women worldwide. New cancer therapies receive regulatory approval yearly and to avoid health disparities in society, the health systems are challenged to adapt their infrastructure, methodologies, and reimbursement policies to allow broad access to these treatments. In addition, listening to patients' voices about their therapy preferences is essential.

Exchanges in the 'a' determinant of the hepatitis B virus surface antigen revisited.

The hepatitis B virus surface antigen's (HBsAg) 'a' determinant comprises a sequence of amino acid residues located in the major hydrophilic region of the S protein, whose exchanges are closely associated with compromising the antigenicity and immunogenicity of that antigen. The HBsAg is generally present in the bloodstream of individuals with acute or chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. It is classically known as the HBV infection marker, and is therefore the first marker to be investigated in the laboratory in the clinical hypothesis of infection by this agent.

Evaluating empiric antibiotic prescribing for hospitalized children in Mozambique through the introduction of a quarterly syndromic antibiogram: An implementation science protocol.

Antimicrobials are the most frequently prescribed drug in pediatrics, with an estimated 37% of infants and 61% of hospitalized children having received them. Approximately 20-50% of prescriptions have been shown to be potentially unnecessary or inappropriate. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that the continued increase in antimicrobial resistance by the year 2050 will lead to the death of 10 million people per year.

Abietane Diterpenes from and Their Anti-Neuroinflammatory Activity.

Seven new abietane diterpenoids, comprising medusanthol A-G (-, , -) and two previously identified analogs ( and ), were isolated from the hexane extract of the aerial parts of The structures of the compounds were elucidated by HRESIMS, 1D/2D NMR spectroscopic data, IR spectroscopy, NMR calculations with DP4+ probability analysis, and ECD calculations. The anti-neuroinflammatory potential of compounds - was evaluated by determining their ability to inhibit the production of nitric oxide (NO) and the proinflammatory cytokine TNF-α in BV2 microglia stimulated with LPS and IFN-γ. Compounds - and exhibited decreased NO levels at a concentration of 12.

Impact of Xpert MTB/RIF implementation in tuberculosis case detection and control in Brazil: a nationwide intervention time-series analysis (2011-2022).

Background: Since 2014, Brazil has gradually implemented the Xpert MTB/RIF (Xpert) test to enhance early tuberculosis (TB) and drug-resistant (DR-TB) detection and control, yet its nationwide impact remains underexplored. Our study conducts an intervention time-series analysis (ITSA) to evaluate how the Xpert's implementation has improved TB and DR-TB detection nationwide.

Methods: 1,061,776 cases from Brazil's National TB Registry (2011-2022) were reviewed and ITSA (2011-2019) was used to gauge the impact of the Xpert's adoption on TB and DR-TB notification.

Thymol increases primordial follicle activation, protects stromal cells, collagen fibers and down-regulates expression of mRNA for superoxide dismutase 1, catalase and periredoxin 6 in cultured bovine ovarian tissues.

This study aims to investigate the influence of thymol on primordial follicle growth and survival, as well as on collagen fibers and stromal cells density in bovine ovarian tissues cultured in vitro. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX), the thiol levels and the expression of mRNAs for SOD1, CAT, periredoxin 6 (PRDX6) and GPX1 were also investigated. Ovarian cortical tissues were cultured in α-MEM alone or with thymol (400, 800, 1600 or 3200 μg/mL) for six days.

Effect of Smoking on Longitudinal Interferon-ϒ Release Assay Results among Close Contacts of People with Pulmonary Tuberculosis.

Diagnosis of M. tuberculosis (Mtb) infection in close contacts is critical for TB control. Smoking is a risk factor for Mtb infection and TB disease but its effect on longitudinal interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) results remains unknown.

Assessment of an in-house IgG ELISA targeting SARS-CoV-2 RBD: Applications in infected and vaccinated individuals.

The study evoluated an in-house Spike Receptor Binding Domain Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (RBD-IgG-ELISA) for detecting SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies in infected and vaccinated individuals. The assay demonstrated a sensitivity of 91%, specificity of 99.25%, and accuracy of 95.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on surgical volume and outcomes in a terciary care center in Brazil.

Backgrounds: COVID-19 pandemic led to a sharp decline in surgical volume worldwide due to the postponement of elective procedures. This study evaluated the impact of COVID-19 pandemic in surgical volumes and outcomes of abdominal surgery in high-risk patients requiring intensive care unit admission.

Methods: patients admitted for postoperative care were retrospectively evaluated.

Time spent at health facility is a key driver of patient satisfaction, but did not influence retention to HIV care: A serial cross-sectional study in Mozambique.

Introduction: Patient satisfaction with clinical services can have an effect on retention in HIV care and adherence to antiretroviral therapy. This study assessed patient satisfaction and its association with retention and viral suppression in Zambézia Province, Mozambique.

Methods: Monthly exit interviews with persons living with HIV were completed from August 2017-January 2019 in 20 health facilities; clinical data were extracted from medical records.