Morbidity associated with schistosomiasis in adult population of Chókwè district, Mozambique.

Background: Mozambique is one of the countries with the highest prevalence of schistosomiasis, although there is little data on the prevalence of disease and associated morbidity in the adult population. This study aimed to describe and characterize the morbidity associated with schistosomiasis in the adult population of Chókwè district and to explore the use of anamnestic questionnaires and urine dipsticks, as well as point-of-care ultrasound for urinary related findings, to better characterize disease prevalence and morbidity.

Methodology: Between April and October 2018, we conducted a cross-sectional study embedded within the Chókwè Health Research and Training Centre.

Zoonotic Threats: The (Re)emergence of Cercarial Dermatitis, Its Dynamics, and Impact in Europe.

Cercarial dermatitis (CD), or "Swimmer's itch" as it is also known, is a waterborne illness caused by a blood fluke from the family Schistosomatidae. It occurs when cercariae of trematode species that do not have humans as their definitive host accidentally penetrate human skin (in an aquatic environment) and trigger allergic symptoms at the site of contact. It is an emerging zoonosis that occurs through water and is often overlooked during differential diagnosis.

Pregnancy After Bariatric Surgery-Experience from a Tertiary Center.

Introduction: It is estimated that most people undergoing bariatric surgery are women of reproductive age; nonetheless, its effects on pregnancy outcomes are not yet fully understood.

Methods: Retrospective observational study, conducted in a tertiary center in Portugal, included participants in two groups: (1) pregnant women with a history of bariatric surgery (n = 89) and (2) pregnant women with a BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2, without previous bariatric surgery (n = 176). Data was collected from the medical files.

Graphene-Based Composites for Biomedical Applications: Surface Modification for Enhanced Antimicrobial Activity and Biocompatibility.

The application of graphene-based materials in medicine has led to significant technological breakthroughs. The remarkable properties of these carbon materials and their potential for functionalization with various molecules and compounds make them highly attractive for numerous medical applications. To enhance their functionality and applicability, extensive research has been conducted on surface modification of graphene (GN) and its derivatives, including modifications with antimicrobials, metals, polymers, and natural compounds.

Root Phytochemical Studies, In Vitro Cercaricidal Activity on the Larval Stage of and Antioxidant Activities.

Hiern. () is a medicinal plant used in traditional Angolan medicine against schistosomiasis. Our study aimed to investigate the phytochemical composition and the cercaricidal and antioxidant activities in vitro of a traditional herbal preparation (Water-Vbr) and a 70% hydroethanolic extract (EtOH70%-Vbr) prepared with this medicinal plant.

Proof-of-concept randomized controlled trial of single-session nitrous oxide treatment for refractory bipolar depression: Focus on cerebrovascular target engagement.

Background: There remain few efficacious treatments for bipolar depression, which dominates the course of bipolar disorder (BD). Despite multiple studies reporting associations between depression and cerebral blood flow (CBF), little is known regarding CBF as a treatment target, or predictor and/or indicator of treatment response, in BD. Nitrous oxide, an anesthetic gas with vasoactive and putative antidepressant properties, has a long history as a neuroimaging probe.

Magnesium Supplementation Is Associated with a Lower Cardio-Metabolic Risk in Patients Submitted to Bariatric Surgery.

Purpose: Literature has demonstrated an inverse relation between magnesium (Mg) consumption and development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), hypertension (HT), and dyslipidemia. After bariatric surgery (BS), micronutrients deficiencies are common, it being important to ensure appropriate supplementation. There is no recommendation about Mg supplementation and to our knowledge, its effect has not been studied to date.

Human Toxocariasis in Portugal-An Overview of a Neglected Zoonosis over the Last Decade (2010-2020).

Toxocariasis is one of the most widespread and important zoonotic parasitic diseases, although neglected. Data regarding human infection in Portugal are almost absent. This article gives an overview of the situation of toxocariasis in Portugal over the last decade based on casuistic data.

Stability of Pentobarbital Hydrogel for Rectal Administration in Pediatric Procedural Sedation.

Pentobarbital is a sedative agent to limit children motion during computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ensures the successful completion of the imaging procedure. However, data on rectal drug formulation and its stability in practice are not available. The aim of this study was to formulate and evaluate the stability of a ready-to-use rectal pentobarbital gel.

Secondary Hyperparathyroidism Among Bariatric Patients: Unraveling the Prevalence of an Overlooked Foe.

Introduction: Bariatric surgery (BS) is the most effective therapeutic approach to obesity. It is associated with great gastrointestinal anatomic changes, predisposing the patients to altered nutrient absorption that impacts phosphocalcium metabolism. This study aimed to clarify the prevalence of secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) and its predictors in patients submitted to BS.

Bariatric Surgery Impact on Cardiovascular Risk Factors: Is Age a Factor to Consider?

Introduction: Despite the abundance of data addressing the influence of patient's age on surgery-related complications, its impact on cardiometabolic outcomes following bariatric surgery has been overlooked.

Methods: Retrospective unicentric study of 1,728 obese patients who underwent bariatric surgery between January 2010 and June 2015. Patients were divided in 3 age groups, according to their age at surgery: ˂40 (n = 751), 40-59 (n = 879), and ≥60 years (n = 98).

Thyroid Function and the Risk of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Morbid Obesity.

Background: An association between hypothyroidism and the risk of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) has been suggested. This association remains to be elucidated in patients with morbid obesity.

Aim: To evaluate the association between thyroid function and parameters of liver function and hepatic scores in patients with morbid obesity.

Combinatorial Signal Processing in an Insect.

AbstractHuman language is combinatorial: phonemes are grouped into syllables, syllables are grouped into words, and so on. The capacity for combinatorial processing is present, in different degrees, in some mammals and birds. We used vibrational insects, treehoppers, to test the hypothesis of basic combinatorial processing against two competing hypotheses: beginning rule (where the early signal portions play a stronger role in acceptability) and no ordering rule (where the order of signal elements plays no role in signal acceptability).

Nitrous oxide as a putative novel dual-mechanism treatment for bipolar depression: Proof-of-concept study design and methodology.

Introduction: Depressive symptoms predominate in the course of bipolar disorder (BD) and there is an urgent need to evaluate novel application of repurposed compounds that act on pre-specified treatment targets. Several lines of reasoning suggest that nitrous oxide (NO) is an ideal medication to study as a potential treatment and as a strategy to identify the underlying pathophysiology of bipolar depression. NO is a potent cerebral vasodilator and there is compelling evidence of reduced frontal cerebral blood flow (CBF; i.

Which Factors Are Associated with a Higher Prevalence of Anemia Following Bariatric Surgery? Results from a Retrospective Study Involving 1999 Patients.

Introduction: Anemia in obese patients is common and multifactorial and is also a complication of bariatric surgery. The aim of this study is to establish which variables are associated with a higher prevalence of post-bariatric surgery anemia.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study involving 1999 patients submitted to bariatric surgery with a follow-up period of 4 years.

The Impact of Bariatric Surgery on Hepatic Function and Predictors of Liver Steatosis and Fibrosis.

Purpose: To evaluate the variation in parameters of hepatic function and in the scores Fatty Liver Index (FLI; predictor of hepatic steatosis) and BARD (BMI, AST/ALT ratio and DM, predictor of hepatic fibrosis), 1 year after bariatric surgery.

Material And Methods: This is a observational retrospective cohort study in patients with morbid obesity that underwent bariatric surgery in our centre. We used two linear regression models: (1) unadjusted and (2) adjusted for surgery type, sex, age, body mass index, diabetes, and dyslipidaemia.

Impact of Depression on Weight Variation after Bariatric Surgery: A Three-Year Observational Study.

Introduction: The association between obesity and depression has been repeatedly established. However, little is known about the impact that the diagnosis of depression before bariatric surgery (DDBS) may have on weight loss.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of DDBS on weight outcomes.

Cushing's syndrome: Consequences of late diagnosis after bariatric surgery.

Prior to bariatric surgery, endocrine causes of obesity must be excluded. The diagnosis of osteoporosis in a male requires the study of secondary causes of this condition. The diagnostic delay of Cushing's syndrome may have irreversible consequences.

Variable Thresholds of Vitamin D Plasma Levels to Suppress PTH: the Effect of Weight and Bariatric Surgery.

Background: Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and parathormone (PTH) have an inverse relation. The 25(OH)D threshold required to maximally suppress PTH has been used as a marker of optimal vitamin D status. Obesity is associated with lower serum levels of 25(OH)D and higher levels of PTH; however, the relation between these hormones in this setting is not well established.

Diagnosis, treatment, and survival analysis of adrenocortical carcinomas: a multicentric study.

Introduction: Current guidelines specify controversial areas in adrenocortical carcinomas (ACC), such as optimal follow-up time after remission and identification of prognostic markers. We aim to address these topics by analyzing four reference centers in our country.

Methods: Cross-sectional multicentric study of 69 patients (mean age: 51.