Proteases from an Amazonian Mushroom Species: A Mycotechnological Alternative for the Production of Milk Coagulant.

Edible mushrooms have been used as sustainable sources of proteases of industrial interest. The aim of this research was to investigate the influence of different culture media on mycelial growth and the potential of an Amazonian mushroom species, Auricularia fuscosuccinea DPUA 1624, in the biosynthesis of bovine milk coagulant enzymes. The species was cultivated on Sabouraud agar, malt, glucose, and peptone agar, malt extract agar, and glucose and peptone agar, supplemented with yeast extract for mycelial development.

A rare presentation: Brain abscess secondary to urinary tract infection.

Cerebral abscess due to hematogenous spread originating from a urinary infection is a rare condition. This clinical case involves an 80-year-old woman with a history of recurrent urinary infections. She presented to the emergency department with fever and altered consciousness.

Botulinum Toxin's Effects on Muscle Tone and Joint Mobility in Children with Congenital Zika Syndrome - A Case Series.

 To evaluate the effects of the botulinum toxin (BTX-A) on muscle tone and joint mobility in children with congenital Zika syndrome (CZS).  This was a longitudinal case series carried out in a Support Center for Children with Microcephaly, located in Northeastern Brazil. We collected data from the institution's medical records, containing information about muscle tone and passive joint mobility measured at least 3 months before and 4 weeks after BTX-A application.

Emphysematous Cystitis and Septic Shock: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Managing a Life-Threatening Urological Infection.

Emphysematous cystitis (EC) is a rare, life-threatening urinary tract infection (UTI) characterized by gas formation within the bladder wall and lumen. It predominantly occurs in patients with poorly controlled diabetes. We present a case of a 61-year-old male with poorly controlled diabetes and chronic alcoholism who was admitted in a comatose state due to severe septic shock secondary to EC.

Spatial variation of metal(loid)s in sediments of an Atlantic mesotidal estuary (Sado estuary, Portugal).

Estuaries offer favorable conditions for human settlement. As a result, pollutants, such as metals, have been released to these systems. Those are adsorbed by particulate material that tend to settle at the bottom and sink in the sediment.

Dual modification of starch: Synergistic effects of ozonation and pulsed electric fields on structural, rheological, and functional attributes.

Study evaluated the influence of ozonization (O) time combined with pulsed electric fields (PEF) on the modification of bean starch structure. O₃ was used at a concentration of 0.045 g/L for 60 min (Oz1) and 120 min (Oz2) both individually and in combination with 30 kV/cm (P30).

Alcohol consumption habits and their impact on academic performance: analysis of ethanol patterns among health students. A cross-sectional study.

Background: Studies have indicated a substantial increase in alcohol consumption among university students. Specifically, abusive consumption among health students can adversely affect their academic training and future professional practice.

Objective: This study aimed to analyze alcohol consumption habits among healthcare students and investigate the associations between alcohol consumption patterns and sociodemographic and academic variables.

Direct monitoring of the enzymatically sequestering and degrading of PET microplastics using hyperspectral Raman microscopy.

Microplastics are commonly referred to as tiny plastic fragments polluting our environment, although their nanometric forms have also been found in our drinking water supplies and many living systems. Their removal is relevant for preserving our health and sustainability and is being pursued according to many different strategies, including filtration through selective porous materials or agglomeration using flocculant agents. An alternative nanotechnological approach described in this paper deals with the capture and degradation of micro and nanoplastics by enzyme-immobilized magnetic nanoparticles.

Relationship among Dietary Intake of Vitamin E, Lipid Peroxidation Markers, and C-Reactive Protein in Flu-Like Patients Diagnosed with COVID-19.

Objective: This research aimed to assess the intake of vitamin E and its relationship with lipid peroxidation markers and C-reactive protein levels in patients with flu symptoms and COVID-19 diagnosis.

Methods: A cross-sectional study with 121 patients of both sexes assisted at two basic health units in the city of Teresina, Piauí, with COVID-19 diagnosis confirmed through real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, was performed between the 3 and 7 days of flu symptoms. The global nutritional status and the measurement of waist circumference were assessed according to the World Health Organization recommendations.

Increasing HIV prevalence rate among men who have sex with men: results of a comparison of two national surveys.

Our objective was to compare HIV prevalence between two national surveys among men who have sex with men in Brazil in 2009 and 2016. HIV prevalence was estimated stratifying by age and socioeconomic status. HIV prevalence increased from 11.

Long-term trends (1986-2019) in the physicochemical properties of the Sado Estuary (Portugal) driven primarily by changes in river flow and influenced by marine upwelling.

Estuaries are among the most sensitive systems to climate change. Previous studies have suggested that the Sado Estuary (Portugal) has decreasing trends for water temperature, which is uncommon in a global warming scenario. However, no long-term analysis regarding water column conditions has been conducted on this estuary to date.

Climate change is associated with higher phytoplankton biomass and longer blooms in the West Antarctic Peninsula.

The Antarctic Peninsula (West Antarctica) marine ecosystem has undergone substantial changes due to climate-induced shifts in atmospheric and oceanic temperatures since the 1950s. Using 25 years of satellite data (1998-2022), this study presents evidence that phytoplankton biomass and bloom phenology in the West Antarctic Peninsula are significantly changing as a response to anthropogenic climate change. Enhanced phytoplankton biomass was observed along the West Antarctic Peninsula, particularly in the early austral autumn, resulting in longer blooms.

Models of care: Opportunities and challenges.

Perinatal mental health models can broadly be described by scope and structure. Within these two broad domains lies an array of diverse methodologies that have attempted to increase access and coordination of care. These efforts have uncovered many opportunities that, if addressed, may improve our current parent and infant outcomes within our healthcare system and community.

Cutting-edge collagen biocomposite reinforced with 2D nano-talc for bone tissue engineering.

The advancement of nanobiocomposites reinforced with 2D nano-materials plays a pivotal role in enhancing bone tissue engineering. In this study, we introduce a nanobiocomposite that reinforces bovine collagen with 2D nano-talc, a recently exfoliated nano-mineral. These nanobiocomposites were prepared by blending collagen with varying concentrations of 2D nano-talc, encompassing mono- and few-layers talc from soapstone nanomaterial.

Stress and exhaustion among medical students: a prospective longitudinal study on the impact of the assessment period on medical education.

Background: Stress significantly affects both the physical and emotional health of individuals, particularly students in health-related fields. Medical students in Brazil face unique challenges due to the demanding nature of their studies, especially during assessment periods, which heighten academic pressure. These pressures often lead to poor coping strategies and mental health concerns.

Endolymphatic sac tumor: An urgent case presenting acute intracranial hypertension successfully treated with suboccipital decompressive craniectomy - 8 years of follow-up.

Background: Endolymphatic sac tumor (ELST) is a rare lesion. It may be sporadically or associated with Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome. Progressive audiovestibular symptoms characterize the typical clinical presentation.

Temporal bone squamous cell carcinoma: Aggressive behavior coursing with cerebellar invasion and hydrocephalus.

Background: Temporal bone squamous cell carcinoma (TBSCC) is a very rare condition. The prognosis is dismal for advanced tumors. Due to its rarity, information in the literature is scarce.

Factors associated with external causes in elderly attended by the mobile emergency care service.

Objective: To analyze the prevalence and factors associated with external causes in elderly people attended by the mobile emergency care service.

Method: Cross-sectional study with 1,972 pre-hospital care records of elderly victims of external causes from 2019 to 2020. A descriptive and bivariate analysis was performed, with a significance level of 5% (p<0.

Puerperal women's social interactions related to their sexual health after childbirth.

Objective: To analyze puerperal women's experiences of sexual health after childbirth from the perspective of symbolic interactionism.

Method: Descriptive, qualitative study. Twenty semi-structured interviews were conducted by videoconference with women in the remote puerperium, captured by snowball technique and searched for "seeds" on Instagram®.

A Preliminary Study on Hepatoprotective, Hypolipidemic and Aortic Morphometric Effects of Omega-3-Rich Fish Oil in Hypercholesterolemic Mice.

This study aims to evaluate the hepatoprotective, hypolipidemic and aortic morphometric effects of fish oil rich in omega-3 in hypercholesterolemic BALB/c mice. This is an experimental model that included 16 male BALB/c mice () divided into three groups (G1 (standard commercial chow and 0.9% saline solution), G2 (hypercholesterolemic diet and 0.

One Size Does Not Fit All: Medication Reconciliation and Review at the Hospital at Home.

Mistakes in the medication process are frequent and a common cause of morbidity and mortality. Medication reconciliation (MRec) and medication review (MRev) are the processes of creating the most accurate medication list and adapting it to optimize the effectiveness of medicines and minimize adverse effects. This is crucial in all stages of medical care, especially at discharge.

Hepatitis C virus prevalence among men who have sex with men: a cross-sectional study in 12 Brazilian cities.

Background: Despite the preventive policies adopted, reduction in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among men who have sex with men (MSM) has been limited. The risk of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has increased among the most vulnerable population groups, including MSM. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of HCV infection and to assess risky practices among MSM from 12 Brazilian cities.

Flash glucose monitoring system in gestational diabetes: a study of accuracy and usability.

Purpose: Studies of flash glucose monitoring systems (FGMSs) in pregnancy are insufficient, especially in gestational diabetes (GD). Our aim was to evaluate Freestyle Libre's usability and accuracy (compared to self-monitoring of blood glucose [SMBG]) for GD patients in real-life conditions.

Methods: This is a prospective study with pregnant women diagnosed with GD (n = 24 for the usability analysis; n = 19 for the accuracy analysis).