Retrospective Analysis of Potential Lyme Disease Clinical Cases in Argentina.

Lyme disease, a multisystemic infectious disorder caused by pathogenic spirochetes of the genus transmitted by the bite of ticks, typically from the family Ixodidae, pose a significant public health issue worldwide. The (s.l.

Lyme Disease: A Review with Emphasis on Latin America.

The spirochete sensu lato (Lyme Group) is the causative agent of Lyme disease, transmitted to humans through tick bites carrying the bacteria. Common symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, and the characteristic erythema migrans skin rash. If left untreated, the infection can affect joints, the cardiac system, and the nervous system.

Real needle for minimal invasive procedures training using motion sensors and optical flow.

Minimally invasive percutaneous insertion procedures are widely used techniques in medicine. Their success is highly dependent on the skills of the practitioner. This paper presents a haptic simulator for training in these procedures, whose key component is a real percutaneous insertion needle with a sensory system incorporated to track its 3D location at every instant.

Development of a thermosensitive hydrogel based on Polaxamer 407 and gellan gum with inclusion complexes (Sulfobutylated-β-cyclodextrin-Farnesol) as a local drug delivery system.

This work proposes the development of a thermosensitive local drug release system based on Polaxamer 407, also known as Pluronic® F-127 (PF-127), Gellan Gum (GG) and the inclusion complex Sulfobutylated-β-cyclodextrin (CD) with Farnesol (FOH). Rheological properties of the hydrogels and their degradation were studied. According to the rheological results, a solution of 20% w/v of PF-127 forms a strong gel with a gelling temperature of about 25 °C (storage modulus of 15,000 Pa).

Usefulness of an Artificial Neural Network in the Prediction of β-Lactam Allergy.

Background: An accurate diagnosis of β-lactam (BL) allergy improves the use of antibiotics, increases patients' safety, and reduces costs to health systems. Nevertheless, it requires skin and drug provocation tests, which are time-consuming and put the patient at risk. Furthermore, allergy testing is not available in circumstances such as the urgent need for antibiotic therapy.

Accurate Prediction of Sensory Attributes of Cheese Using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Based on Artificial Neural Network.

The acceptance of a food product by the consumer depends, as the most important factor, on its sensory properties. Therefore, it is clear that the food industry needs to know the perceptions of sensory attributes to know the acceptability of a product. There exist procedures that systematically allows measurement of these property perceptions that are performed by professional panels.

Semantic Localization System for Robots at Large Indoor Environments Based on Environmental Stimuli.

In this paper, we present a new procedure to solve the global localization of mobile robots called Environmental Stimulus Localization (ESL). We propose that the presence of common facts on the environment around the robot can be considered as stimuli for the procedure. The robust performance of our approach is supported by two concurrent particle filters.

Software Suite Training Tool for MSK Exploration and Botulinum Toxin Infiltration Based on Ultrasound Imaging for the Spasticity Treatment.

Nowadays, one of the choice techniques for the spasticity treatment is the ultrasound-guided infiltration of Botulinum Toxin, because it is safe and effective. In order to medical professionals can carry out this technique, they need training and education. One of the safest and most time-free ways to facilitate the acquisition of practical medical skills is through simulators.

Modulable properties of PVA/cellulose fiber composites.

Purpose:: Development of PVA/cellulose fiber composite material with modulable properties, obtained through the increase of reinforcement and heat treatments in order to optimize the composite in terms of mechanical, thermal, and degradation properties.

Methods:: The composite was designed selecting as matrix an experimental formulation based on water-soluble, biodegradable, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), as reinforcement. Six different formulations, with increasing ratio of MCC content (from 0% to 55% w/w) in PVA, were developed and extruded by a co-rotating twin-screw extruder (TSA FSCM 21/40).

HUSP: A Smart Haptic Probe for Reliable Training in Musculoskeletal Evaluation Using Motion Sensors.

As a consequence of the huge development of IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) sensors based on MEMS (Micro-Electromechanical Systems), innovative applications related to the analysis of human motion are now possible. In this paper, we present one of these applications: a portable platform for training in Ultrasound Imaging-based musculoskeletal (MSK) exploration in rehabilitation settings. Ultrasound Imaging (USI) in the diagnostic and treatment of MSK pathologies offers various advantages, but it is a strongly operator-dependent technique, so training and experience become of fundamental relevance for rehabilitation specialists.

Photocatalytic Activity of Nanotubular TiO₂ Films Obtained by Anodic Oxidation: A Comparison in Gas and Liquid Phase.

The availability of immobilized nanostructured photocatalysts is of great importance in the purification of both polluted air and liquids (e.g., industrial wastewaters).

Colonoscopy vs. Fecal Immunochemical Test in Reducing Mortality From Colorectal Cancer (CONFIRM): Rationale for Study Design.

Rationale: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is preventable through screening, with colonoscopy and fecal occult blood testing comprising the two most commonly used screening tests. Given the differences in complexity, risk, and cost, it is important to understand these tests' comparative effectiveness.

Study Design: The CONFIRM Study is a large, pragmatic, multicenter, randomized, parallel group trial to compare screening with colonoscopy vs.

Maternal recognition of child mental health problems in two Brazilian cities.

Objective: To identify child behaviors and types of impairment that increase the likelihood of maternal recognition of emotional/behavioral problems (EBP) in children and adolescents.

Methods: Maternal-reported data were obtained from two subsamples of 11-to-16-year-olds derived from cross-sectional studies conducted in two Brazilian municipalities: Itaboraí, state of Rio de Janeiro (n=480), and Embu, state of São Paulo (n=217). The Itaboraí study involved a representative sample of 6-to-16-year-olds (n=1,248; response rate = 86.

Engineering Thermoplastics for Additive Manufacturing: A Critical Perspective with Experimental Evidence to Support Functional Applications.

Background: Among additive manufacturing techniques, the filament-based technique involves what is referred to as fused deposition modeling (FDM). FDM materials are currently limited to a selected number of polymers. The present study focused on investigating the potential of using high-end engineering polymers in FDM.

Development of a photocatalytic filter to control indoor air quality.

Background: The aim of this work was the development and characterization of a photocatalytic filter for the treatment of indoor air, characterized by a low pressure drop.

Methods: The filter (photocatalytic filter) was based on a polyester substrate additivated with active carbon (Carbotex 150-6), treated with a sol of titanium dioxide (Sol 121-AB; NextMaterials Ltd.) and illuminated with UV LEDs to induce photocatalytic activity.

Poly-paper: a sustainable material for packaging, based on recycled paper and recyclable with paper.

Background: Until now, environmental sustainability issues are almost entirely unsolved for packaging materials. With the final aim of finding materials with a single recycling channel, cellulose fiber/poly(vinyl)alcohol composites were investigated.

Methods: After extrusion and injection molding, samples of composite with different cellulose fiber content (30%, 50% and 70% w/w) were tested.

Influence of psychosocial risk factors on the trajectory of mental health problems from childhood to adolescence: a longitudinal study.

Background: Longitudinal epidemiological studies involving child/adolescent mental health problems are scarce in developing countries, particularly in regions characterized by adverse living conditions. We examined the influence of psychosocial factors on the trajectory of child/adolescent mental health problems (CAMHP) over time.

Methods: A population-based sample of 6- to 13-year-olds with CAMHP was followed-up from 2002-2003 (Time 1/T1) to 2007-2008 (Time 2/T2), with 86 out of 124 eligible children/adolescents at T1 being reassessed at T2 (sample loss: 30.

Improving indoor air quality by using the new generation of corrugated cardboard-based filters.

Purpose: Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is strictly affected by the concentration of total suspended particulate matter (TSP). Air filtration is by far the most feasible suggestion to improve IAQ. Unfortunately, highly effective HEPA filters also have a few major weaknesses that have hindered their widespread use.

Development of novel cardboard filters very effective in removing airborne bacteria from confined environments.

Purpose: Since bacterial pollution is more troublesome than other nonbiologic air pollutants, the need to control airborne micro-organisms has led to renewed interest in filter media for air filtration in indoor environments. Although mechanical filtration of aerosols by HEPA systems is the most common method for particle removal, these filters characterized by high efficiency usually reveal a higher drop in pressure and noise and are very expensive. On this basis, we aimed to develop novel, very effective air filters for removal of airborne bacteria from confined environments.

Anodic oxidation of titanium: from technical aspects to biomedical applications.

Titanium biomaterials are widely employed to produce medical components, such as hip and knee-joint prostheses, bone plates and screws, dental implants, pacemaker cases, surgical equipment, etc. Their diffusion is ascribed to the broad spectrum of optimal mechanical and surface properties, such as the corrosion resistance and correlated low ionic release, the biocompatibility, and especially, the enhanced osseointegration that can be achieved by surface modifications, particularly by suitable anodizing treatments. This review is intended to provide a survey of the wide class of anodic oxidation treatments on titanium, focusing on the oxide structures, morphologies, and compositions that best apply to the variegated fields of titanium applications.

Environmental factors associated with adolescent antisocial behavior in a poor urban community in Brazil.

Background: Investigating risk factors for anti-social behavior (ASB) is particularly relevant in a poor urban and violent community of a developing country where homicide is the primary cause of death among 15-24-year olds.

Objectives: To identify individual and environmental factors associated with ASB in adolescents from an urban poor community in the outskirts of São Paulo City, Brazil.

Method: This cross-sectional study was based on a probabilistic sample of clusters that included all eligible households (women aged 15-49 years with a son or daughter <18 years of age).

Anodic Spark Deposition treatments to increase reliability of Ti6Al4V modular prostheses.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether an Anodic Spark Deposition treatment, which assures increased resistance of titanium alloys to fretting corrosion, improves the structural reliability of Ti6Al4V modular hip prostheses, thus preventing the recently noticed in vivo mechanical failures of these components due to fatigue events.

Methods: Three commercial treatments were tested in this work. Microhardness, roughness and fatigue resistance measurements were carried out to investigate the treatment performances.

Severe physical punishment: risk of mental health problems for poor urban children in Brazil.

Objective: To examine the relationship between specific types of child mental health problems and severe physical punishment, in combination with other important known risk factors.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study in Embu, São Paulo, Brazil, as the Brazilian component of a multicountry survey on abuse in the family environment. From a probabilistic sample of clusters that included all eligible households (women aged 15-49 years with a son or daughter < 18 years of age), we randomly selected one mother-child pair per household (n = 813; attrition rate: 17.

BCL2, BCL6, MYC, MALT 1, and BCL10 rearrangements in nodal diffuse large B-cell lymphomas: a multicenter evaluation of a new set of fluorescent in situ hybridization probes and correlation with clinical outcome.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is the most common type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Although it is a curable disease, fewer than half of patients are cured with conventional chemotherapy. The highly variable outcome reflects a heterogeneous group of tumors, with different genetic abnormalities and responses to therapy.