Detection of sensory deficits in fine nerve fibres in leprosy diagnosis.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine reference points for thermal perception in cutaneous lesions of leprosy, a disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae characterised by hypoesthesia in skin lesions due to nerve and Schwann cell infection. Early diagnosis is essential to control transmission and effectively treat the disease.

Methods: Quantitative thermal testing (QTT) has been proposed as a valuable tool for early detection of the disease, initiation of treatment, and monitoring of nerve damage.

Characterization, Formulation, and Toxicity of Plant Oils on Duponchelia fovealis Caterpillars Zeller 1847 (Lepidoptera: Crambidae).

This study aimed to determine the chemical composition of ginger Zingiber officinale Roscoe (Zingiberaceae) and soursop Annona muricata Linn (Annonaceae) oils, formulate stable emulsions of these oils separately, as well as neem oil Azadirachta indica A. Juss (Meliaceae), and evaluate the insecticidal activity of these emulsions against Duponchelia fovealis Zeller, 1847 (Lepidoptera: Crambidae). Each stable emulsion contained an oil phase containing ginger, soursop, or neem oil, a fruit polyalcohol-based emulsifier, ethanol, or water.

A metabologenomics approach reveals the unexplored biosynthetic potential of bacteria isolated from an Amazon Conservation Unit.

The Amazon, an important biodiversity hotspot, remains poorly explored in terms of its microbial diversity and biotechnological potential. The present study characterized the metabolic potential of Gram-positive strains of the Actinomycetes and Bacilli classes isolated from soil samples of an Amazon Conservation Unit. The sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene classified the strains ACT015, ACT016, and FIR094 within the genera , , and , respectively.

Quadrivalent HPV (4vHPV) vaccine immunogenicity and safety in women using immunosuppressive drugs due to solid organ transplant.

Introduction: Immunocompromised persons are at high risk of persistent Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection and associated diseases. Few studies evaluated HPV vaccines in immunocompromised persons. This study aimed to evaluate the quadrivalent HPV vaccine (4vHPV) immunogenicity and safety in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients, in comparison to immunocompetent women (IC).

Geriatric dentistry course effect against ageism among dental students: A cohort study.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of geriatric dentistry courses as a combating strategy against ageism among dental students.

Methods: A pre-post prospective study was conducted in three different dental schools located in the State of Sao Paulo, Brazil, that offered geriatric dentistry courses in their curricula. A questionnaire specifically developed for this research and the "Ageism Scale for Dental Students" (ASDS) were applied before and after geriatric dentistry courses in all three dental schools.

Assessing the oral microbiome of head and neck cancer patients before and during radiotherapy.

Objective: To characterize the oral microbiome of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) before and during radiotherapy (RT), compared to healthy individuals. Evaluating the impact of oral microbiome in the clinical outcomes one year following the end of RT.

Methods: Oral samples were collected from HNSCC patients who underwent RT using the following regimens: no dose received (T0), dose 12-16 Gy (T1), dose 30-36 Gy (T2) and dose ≥ 60 Gy (T3).

Carbohydrate-Binding Mechanism of the Coagulant Lectin from Seeds (cMoL) Is Related to the Dimeric Protein Structure.

This study characterized the binding mechanisms of the lectin cMoL (from Moringa oleifera seeds) to carbohydrates using spectroscopy and molecular dynamics (MD). The interaction with carbohydrates was studied by evaluating lectin fluorescence emission after titration with glucose or galactose (2.0-11 mM).

Interventions to attract medical students to a career in primary health care services in the European Union and peripheral countries: a scoping review.

Background: In the European Union and peripheral countries, the availability of physicians working in primary health care services (PHCS) varies greatly and all countries report shortages and difficulties in recruiting more. The broad consensus that giving access to PHCS to all is a policy priority, reinforced by the lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, implies that a sufficient fit-for-purpose workforce is available. This article focuses on physicians and reports on what countries have done, and with what success, to attract more medical students to a career in PHCS.

Patient-reported outcomes in patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma treated with zanubrutinib plus obinutuzumab versus obinutuzumab monotherapy: results from the ROSEWOOD trial.

Objective: We report patient-reported outcomes (PROs) measuring health-related quality of life (HRQoL) from the ROSEWOOD trial (NCT03332017), which demonstrated superior efficacy and a manageable safety profile with zanubrutinib plus obinutuzumab (ZO) versus obinutuzumab (O) in patients with heavily pretreated relapsed/refractory follicular lymphoma (R/R FL).

Methods: PROs were assessed using the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire - Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) and EQ-5D-5L questionnaires at baseline and subsequently every 12 weeks. All QLQ-C30 domains and EQ-5D-5L visual analog scale (VAS) scores were analyzed descriptively.

The Association Between the Central Sensitisation Inventory and Temporomandibular Disorders Is Confounded by Migraine, Depression, Widespread Pain and Parafunction. A Cross-Sectional Telehealth Study.

Background: Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are conditions that involve the temporomandibular joints, masticatory muscles, and associated tissues, causing orofacial pain. Central sensitisation (CS) is a relevant part of the TMD pathophysiology. Migraine, psychological aspects, parafunctional oral habits and widespread pain are commonly associated with both TMD and CS and could confound the association between them.

Effects of Cannabidiol on Bone Quality in Ovariectomized Rats.

The incidence of osteoporosis and related fractures increases significantly with age, impacting public health and associated costs. Postmenopausal osteoporosis results from increased bone resorption due to decreased estrogen levels. The endocannabinoid system, especially cannabidiol (CBD), has shown therapeutic potential in modulating bone formation.

Enhancing stress resilience in soybeans (): assessing the efficacy of priming and cross-priming for mitigating water deficit and waterlogging effects.

Priming enables plants to respond more promptly, minimise damage, and survive subsequent stress events. Here, we aimed to assess the efficacy of priming and cross-priming in mitigating the stress caused by waterlogging and/or dehydration in soybeans (Glycine max ). Soybean plants were cultivated in a greenhouse in plastic pots in which soil moisture was maintained at pot capacity through irrigation.

Magnesium, selenium and zinc deficiency compromises antioxidant defense in women with obesity.

Studies have shown that deficiencies in magnesium, selenium, and zinc in individuals with obesity compromise the endogenous antioxidant defense system. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of mineral deficiency on enzymatic antioxidant defense in women with obesity. The study involved 63 women with obesity (BMI ≥ 35 kg/m) and 77 eutrophic women (BMI between 18.

Effect of photobiomodulation in an experimental in vitro model of asthma-Copd overlap.

The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of photobiomodulation (PBM) with laser on the inflammatory process in an experimental in vitro model of ACO. The groups were: (1) human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B); (2) BEAS-2B cells treated with dexamethasone; (3) BEAS-2B cells irradiated with laser; (4) BEAS-2B cells stimulated with cigarette smoke extract (CSE) + House Dust Mite (HDM); (5) BEAS-2B cells stimulated with CSE + HDM and treated with dexamethasone; (6) BEAS-2B cells incubated with CSE + HDM and irradiated with laser. After 24 h, cytokines were quantified.

Effect of photobiomodulation with different wavelengths on periodontal repair in non-hyperglycemic and hyperglycemic rats.

Background: Hyperglycemic conditions is associated with more severe periodontitis and poorer outcomes after nonsurgical periodontal treatment (NPT). Then, these patients are candidates for adjunctive therapy associated with NPT. This study evaluates the effect of photobiomodulation (PBMT) at different wavelengths on periodontal repair in non-hyperglycemic/hyperglycemic animals.

An engineered POSS drug delivery system for copper(II) anticancer metallodrugs in a selective application toward melanoma cells.

In this work, a polyhedral silsesquioxane (POSS) was used as an engineered drug delivery system for two oxindolimine-copper(II) anticancer complexes, [Cu(isaepy)] and [Cu(isapn)]. The interest in hybrid POSS comes from the necessity of developing materials that can act as adjuvants to improve the cytotoxicity of non-soluble metallodrugs. Functionalization of POSS with a triazole ligand (POSS-atzac) permitted the anchorage of such copper complexes, producing hybrid materials with efficient cytotoxic effects.

Models for predicting the risk of illness in leprosy contacts in Brazil: Leprosy prediction models in Brazilian contacts.

Objective: This study aims to develop and validate predictive models that assess the risk of leprosy development among contacts, contributing to an enhanced understanding of disease occurrence in this population.

Methods: A cohort of 600 contacts of people with leprosy treated at the National Reference Center for Leprosy and Health Dermatology at the Federal University of Uberlândia (CREDESH/HC-UFU) was followed up between 2002 and 2022. The database was divided into two parts: two-third to construct the disease risk score and one-third to validate this score.

Impacts of industrial actions, protests, strikes and lockouts by health and care workers during COVID-19 and other pandemic contexts: a systematic review.

Background: Public health emergencies of international concern (PHEICs) as the COVID-19 pandemic and others that have occurred since the early 2000s put enormous pressure on health and care systems. This is being a context for protests by health and care workers (HCWs) because of additional workload, working conditions and effects on mental and physical health. In this paper, we intended to analyze the demands of HCWs associated with industrial actions, protests, strikes and lockouts (IAPSLs) which occurred during COVID-19 pandemic and other PHEICs; to identify the impact of these grievances; and describe the relevant interventions to address these IAPSLs.

Correction: de Oliveira et al. Viper Venom Phospholipase A2 Database: The Structural and Functional Anatomy of a Primary Toxin in Envenomation. 2024, , 71.

In the published publication [...