CPAP delivered via a helmet interface in lightly sedated patients with moderate to severe ARDS: predictors of success outside the ICU.

Objective: This study aimed to describe the outcomes and explore predictors of intubation and mortality in patients with ARDS due to COVID-19 treated with CPAP delivered via a helmet interface and light sedation.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study involving patients with COVID-19-related ARDS who received CPAP using a helmet developed in Brazil (ELMO™), associated with a light sedation protocol in a pulmonology ward. Demographic, clinical, imaging, and laboratory data, as well as the duration and response to the ELMO-CPAP sessions, were analyzed.

Validity, reliability, and responsiveness of the Brazilian version of the instrument World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS 2.0) for individuals with obstructive sleep apnoea.

Background: Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a disabling health condition, and there is no disease-specific patient-reported outcome instrument to assess individuals with OSA.

Objectives: To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Brazilian version of the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS 2.0) in individuals with OSA.

Osteoporosis in Parkinson's disease and the role of lean body mass: a cross-sectional study in a Brazilian tertiary center.

Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative illness and has the highest increase rate in recent years. There is growing evidence to suggest that PD is linked to higher osteoporosis rates and risk of fractures.

Objective: This study aims to estimate the prevalence and factors associated with osteoporosis as defined by the National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) and World Health Organization in patients with mild to moderate PD.

Could an increased risk of obstructive sleep apnoea be one of the determinants associated with disability in individuals with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases?

Purpose: To investigate a possible association between the risk of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and disability in individuals with cardiovascular or cerebrovascular diseases.

Methods: Cross-sectional study was conducted with 373 individuals (313 with cardiovascular or cerebrovascular diseases and 60 healthy). Disability was assessed by the 12-item World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS), and the risk of OSA was assessed by STOP-BANG.

Epidemiology of immune thrombocytopenia: study of adult patients at a referral hematology service in Northeastern Brazil.

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an acquired bleeding disorder observed in the clinical practice. Little is known about its epidemiology in Brazil. The present study was conducted at a hematology referral center which covers a population of over 8 million in 184 municipalities in the state of Ceará.

Assessment of the need for routine intraoperative cell salvage in liver transplantation.

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the necessity of routine intraoperative cell salvage in liver transplantations.

Methods: A total of 327 liver transplants performed between 2014 and 2016 was included in the analysis. Patient data, including pre-transplant examinations, intraoperative red blood cell transfusions, and procedural information, were collected.

Phase III, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study: a study on the safety and clinical efficacy of AZVUDINE in moderate COVID-19 patients.

Background: In 2019, a highly pathogenic coronavirus named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) surfaced and resulted in the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). With the aim of finding effective drugs to fight against the disease, several trials have been conducted since COVID-19 can only be considered a treatable disease, from a clinical point of view, after the availability of specific and effective antivirals. AZVUDINE (FNC), initially developed for treating HIV, is a potential treatment for COVID-19 as it has the capability to lower the patient's viral load and promote recovery.

Homeopathy for Major Depressive Disorder: Protocol for N-of-1 Studies.

Background: N-of-1 studies allow the formal assessment of a patient's treatment. A single participant receives different interventions the same number of times in a crossover, double-blind, randomized design. Using this methodology, we will investigate the effectiveness and safety of a standardized homeopathy protocol in treating 10 cases of major depression.

Mortality in a swiftly repurposed hospital in northeast Brazil during the first and second COVID-19 waves: A retrospective cohort study.

Background: The first months of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic demanded rapid re-organization of available local resources. This study evaluated the performance of a private hospital in the Brazilian state of Ceará that was swiftly repurposed into a public tertiary COVID-19 centre during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, and how it improved in the second wave.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 2492 patients with COVID-19 at Hospital Estadual Leonardo da Vinci (HELV) during the first and second waves.

Serial viral load analysis by DDPCR to evaluate FNC efficacy and safety in the treatment of mild cases of COVID-19.

Introduction: The SARS-CoV-2 outbreak has threatened the human population globally as the numbers of reinfection cases even after large-scale vaccination. Trials have been carried out to find drugs effective in fighting the disease, as COVID-19 is being considered a treatable disease only after we have antivirals. A clinical candidate originally developed for HIV treatment, AZVUDINE (FNC), is a promising drug in the treatment of COVID-19.

Telehealth for Parkinson disease patients during the COVID-19 pandemic: the TeleParkinson study.

Background: Telemedicine allows Parkinson disease (PD) patients to overcome physical barriers to access health care services and increases accessibility for people with mobility impairments.

Objective: To investigate the feasibility indicators of a telehealth intervention for PD patients, including patient recruitment, attendance, technical issues, satisfaction, and benefits on levels of physical activity and sleep.

Methods: We conducted a single-center, single-arm study of telehealth video consultations using WhatsApp (Meta Platforms, Inc.

Translation, transcultural adaptation, and validation of the Brazilian Portuguese version of the Obstructive Sleep Apnea Knowledge and Attitudes (OSAKA) questionnaire.

Purpose: To analyse the psychometric properties of the translated and cross-culturally adapted version of the OSAKA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea Knowledge and Attitudes) questionnaire in the Brazilian Portuguese language.

Methods: The OSAKA instrument was translated by two independent translators, and the back-translated conciliated version was presented and approved by Washington University, which holds the intellectual property for the OSAKA questionnaire. Physicians from different specialties electronically completed the OSAKA instrument and the ASKME (Assessment of Sleep Knowledge in Medical Education) questionnaire, which was used as an auxiliary instrument to analyse the construct validity.

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.

Feasibility indicators of telemedicine for patients with dementia in a public hospital in Northeast Brazil during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: The use of telemedicine has become a fundamental tool in healthcare in recent years, especially at times of Covid-19 pandemic. Currently, there are several telemedicine tools that are simple, inexpensive, and effective means of communication. This article aims to describe indicators of feasibility including patient recruitment, attendance, discomfort (internet connection issues and/or noncompliant patient behavior), satisfaction, and travel time and cost savings of virtual telemedicine consultations for patients with dementia.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Metabolic Syndrome: Clinical and Laboratory Findings and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Assessed by Elastography.

Objective:  To evaluate the association between polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and metabolic syndrome (MetS), adding liver assessment through elastography and ultrasound, for correlation with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Metabolic syndrome occurs in ∼ 43% of women with PCOS, and NAFLD is the hepatic expression of MetS.

Methods:  One hundred women, 50 with PCOS and 50 controls, matched by age (18-35 years) and body mass index (BMI) were included, restricted to patients with overweight and obesity grade 1, at the Assis Chateaubrian Maternity School, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Brazil.

Proteinuria and serum creatinine after 12 months of treatment for lupus nephritis as predictors of long-term renal outcome: a case-control study.

Background: Lupus nephritis (LN) is a major source of morbidity and mortality in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), with 10-25% of patients progressing to end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

Objective: This study aims to elucidate the predictive capabilities of 24-h proteinuria (24PTU) and serum creatinine (sCr) after 12 months of treatment with respect to long-term renal outcomes in LN in a single-center cohort of LN patients.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 214 patients diagnosed with LN followed in our center.

Prevalence of COVID-19 in children, adolescents and adults in remote education situations in the city of Fortaleza, Brazil.

Objectives: A retrospective study was conducted to identify the prevalence of COVID-19 through serology and RT-PCR in children, adolescents and adults. A database of the COVID-19 Tracking Program in school children was used.

Methods: The data comprised sociodemographic and clinical variables, results of serological tests (IgM and IgG), and real-time-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) results of IgM-positive individuals.

Associated factors with neonatal near miss in twin pregnancies in a public referral maternity unit in Brazil.

Objective: The aim was to analyze the factors associated with neonatal near miss (NNM) in twin pregnancies in a public referral maternity unit in Brazil.

Material And Methods: This retrospective, cross-sectional study included 697 twin newborns. Cases of fetal and neonatal deaths were excluded.

Relationship between the comfort level of chronic renal patients and sociodemographic and clinical variables.

Objective: To assess the association between the comfort level of chronic hemodialysis patients with sociodemographic and clinical variables using the General Comfort Questionnaire.

Method: Cross-sectional study, with a quantitative approach, considering 180 chronic hemodialysis renal patients. Two instruments were used: one for sociodemographic and clinical variables; and the General Comfort Questionnaire, Brazilian version.

Effects of a power strength training using elastic resistance exercises on the motor and non-motor symptoms in patients with Parkinson's disease H&Y 1-3: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial (PARK-BAND Study).

Introduction: Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder in Brazil. Physical activity is a complementary intervention in managing inherent declines associated with the disease like strength, balance, gait, and functionality and benefit health-related outcomes. Here, we report the PARK-BAND Study protocol, which aims to investigate potential benefits of power training using elastic devices in participants with PD.

Delays in obstetric care increase the risk of neonatal near-miss morbidity events and death: a case-control study.

Background: To evaluate the association between delays in obstetric care and neonatal near-miss mortality events and death in a public maternity referral center.

Methods: This case-control study enrolled 142 neonates, meeting the near-miss criteria of 5-min Apgar < 7, weight < 1500 g, gestational age < 32 weeks, and use of mechanical ventilation or congenital malformation, as well as 284 controls (without the near-miss criteria), at a ratio of 1:2. After follow-up, the following outcomes were reclassified: survival of the neonatal period without the near-miss criteria (true "controls"), "near-miss," and "neonatal death.

Pubic Arch Angle Measurement by Transperineal Ultrasonography: A Prospective Cross-Sectional Study.

Objective:  To evaluate the ability of the pubic arch angle (PAA) as measured by transperineal ultrasonography during labor to predict the delivery type and cephalic pole disengagement mode.

Methods:  The present prospective cross-sectional study included 221 women in singleton-gestational labor ≥ 37 weeks with cephalic fetuses who underwent PAA measurement using transperineal ultrasonography. These measurements were correlated with the delivery type, cephalic pole disengagement mode, and fetal and maternal characteristics.