Development and characterization of nanoemulsions containing Lippia origanoides Kunth essential oil and their antifungal potential against Candida albicans.

Aims: Nanoemulsions based on plant essential oils have shown promise as alternatives against fungal pathogens by increasing the solubility and bioavailability of the active compounds of essential oils, which can improve their efficacy and safety. In the present study, we aimed to prepare and characterize nanoemulsions of Lippia origanoides essential oil, and analyze their antifungal activity against C. albicans in planktonic and biofilm form.

Antifungal, molecular docking and cytotoxic effect of the essential oil of Cymbopogon citratus (DC) Stapf. and Cymbopogon nardus (L.) Rendle against Candida albicans.

Brazil is renowned for its extensive plant biodiversity, with emphasis on Cymbopogon, C. citratus and C. nardus, with broad antimicrobial potential.

Is there an overestimation of dengue compared with that of other acute febrile syndromes in childhood?

A group of children with clinical suspicion of dengue were assessed to determine if there was an overestimation of dengue compared with that of leptospirosis and leishmaniasis. This descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study, based on the active search of participants with acute febrile illness, was conducted at two pediatric hospitals. The collection of clinical and epidemiological data was performed using questionnaires, and laboratory tests specific for dengue were performed using immunochromatographic, serological, and molecular methods.

Screening for coronavirus disease 2019 in pregnant women admitted for delivery: an observational study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the impact of symptom-based screening on the prevalence and outcomes of neonatal coronavirus disease 2019 in pregnant women admitted for delivery.

Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted from June to August 2020 at Gonzaga Mota of Messejana Hospital, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil. All pregnant women were screened for coronavirus disease 2019 based on symptoms.

RT-LAMP Multicenter Study for SARS-CoV-2 Genome Molecular Detection in Brazilian Swab and Saliva Samples.

Reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) is a rapid method that can replace RT-qPCR. A simple molecular assay for SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection in gold-standard diagnosis through swabs and alternative specimens such as saliva could be helpful in promoting genomic surveillance. A multicenter study was conducted to evaluate the RT-LAMP assay method as an alternative for the molecular detection of SARS-CoV-2 lineages in swab and saliva samples.

Dried blood spot sampling as an alternative for the improvement of hepatitis B and C diagnosis in key populations.

Background: To achieve the elimination of hepatitis B and C, there is an urgent need to develop alternative strategies to increase the access of diagnosis, particularly among key populations such as people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), individuals with coagulopathies and chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients.

Aim: To evaluate the use of dried blood spot (DBS) in the detection of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) markers.

Methods: A total of 430 individuals comprised of people living with HIV, coagulopathies and CKD provided paired serum and DBS samples.

In silico analysis of mismatches in RT-qPCR assays of 177 SARS-CoV-2 sequences from Brazil.

Introduction: Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) can detect the severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) in a highly specific manner. However, a decrease in the specificity of PCR assays for their targets may lead to false negative results.

Methods: Here, 177 high-coverage complete SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences from 13 Brazilian states were aligned with 15 WHO recommended PCR assays.

High prevalence of parvovirus B19 infection in patients with chronic kidney disease under hemodialysis: A multicenter study.

Objectives: Parvovirus B19 (B19V) infection is commonly acute and self-limited, but in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients under dialysis treatment, this infection could increase susceptibility to acute and chronic anemia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency and risk of B19V infection among Brazilian CKD patients under dialysis.

Methods: A study was conducted among 221 CKD patients and a control group of 142 blood donors.

Dengue: 30 years of cases in an endemic area.

The present study aimed to review literature on studies of dengue cases conducted over 30 years in the state of Ceará. Between November 2015 and January 2016, articles published in Portuguese and English in 7 databases were searched using keywords and a Boolean operator. A total of 191 articles were identified in the databases; 133 were excluded according to the exclusion criteria, and 58 were included in the study.

Is early HIV infection diagnosis at a reference center a reality in the state of Ceara?

Introduction: Early diagnosis of human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) can decrease transmission and significantly affect morbidity and mortality; however, Brazil still confronts the reality of late HIV diagnosis.

Methods: Medical records of 284 HIV-positive patients were reviewed in this cross-sectional study.

Results: Of all patients, 28% were diagnosed in the context of health assessments, whereas 27% were symptomatic at diagnosis.

Performance of point of care assays for hepatitis B and C viruses in chronic kidney disease patients.

Aims: Point of care testing (POCT) has been used for hepatitis B and C diagnosis in general population, but little is known about the influence of clinical conditions in the accuracy of these assays. This study aims to evaluate the performance of POCTs for detection of hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibodies to Hepatitis C Virus (anti-HCV) in Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) patients.

Methods: A total of 286 subjects were included in this study.

Dengue Fever and Aedes aegypti in indigenous Brazilians: seroprevalence, risk factors, knowledge and practices.

Objective: Dengue remains an important public health problem in Brazil. We estimated the associated factors of dengue seroprevalence among native Indians of the Tremembé ethnic and their knowledge about the aspects related to the presence of mosquitoes of the genus Aedes.

Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study and a prospective environmental study to monitor the trapping of mosquito eggs monthly were performed.

Perceptions of Risk and Safety in the ICU: A Qualitative Study of Cognitive Processes Relating to Staffing.

Objectives: The aims of this study were to 1) examine individual professionals' perceptions of staffing risks and safe staffing in intensive care and 2) identify and examine the cognitive processes that underlie these perceptions.

Design: Qualitative case study methodology with nurses, doctors, and physiotherapists.

Setting: Three mixed medical and surgical adult ICUs, each on a separate hospital site within a 1,200-bed academic, tertiary London hospital group.

Performance of rapid diagnostic tests for detection of Hepatitis B and C markers in HIV infected patients.

There is little information describing the influence of HIV infection upon the performance of rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) for hepatitis B and C virus diagnosis. This study aims to evaluate the performance of RDTs for HBsAg and anti-HCV detection among HIV-infected individuals. A total of 362 HIV infected individuals were recruited from clinics between January 2013 to November 2014 in the southeast and northeast of Brazil.

Serological evidence of leptospirosis in patients with a clinical suspicion of dengue in the State of Ceará, Brazil.

Introduction: Dengue and leptospirosis are two febrile illnesses of great clinical and epidemiological importance in Brazil. Their significant degree of symptomatic similarity makes clinical diagnosis difficult.

Objective: To diagnose leptospirosis differentially in patients with clinically suspected dengue.

A NEW POSSIBILITY FOR SURVEILLANCE: DO WE IDENTIFY ALL CASES OF LEPTOSPIROSIS?

Leptospirosis is a febrile disease with a typically underestimated global incidence, especially in regions where dengue is endemic. Therefore, it is difficult to accurately determine the number of leptospirosis cases in these areas, which contributes to significant under-reporting this disease. In this study, we estimated the number of possible leptospirosis cases among dengue-like cases that were reported during 2008, 2010, and 2012 in the city of Fortaleza, northeast Brazil.

Antiviral and Antioxidant Activities of Sulfated Galactomannans from Plants of Caatinga Biome.

Dengue represents a serious social and economic public health problem; then trying to contribute to improve its control, the objective of this research was to develop phytoterapics for dengue treatment using natural resources from Caatinga biome. Galactomannans isolated from Adenanthera pavonina L., Caesalpinia ferrea Mart.

Developing effective feedback on quality of anaesthetic care: what are its most valuable characteristics from a clinical perspective?

Objectives: Research suggests that better feedback from quality and safety indicators leads to enhanced capability of clinicians and departments to improve care and change behaviour. The aim of the current study was to investigate the characteristics of feedback perceived by clinicians to be of most value.

Methods: Data were collected using a survey designed as part of a wider evaluation of a data feedback initiative in anaesthesia.

Death by dengue fever in a Brazilian child: a case report.

Background: Dengue is an important worldwide public health problem, and continues to spread in Brazil. This article presents the first Brazilian case report of the death of an indigenous child by dengue fever.

Case Presentation: In August 2013, a child aged 2 years and from the Tremembé ethnic group, who was previously healthy with no complaints, suddenly presented intense crying, precordial pain, and general malaise.

Dengue: profile of hematological and biochemical dynamics.

Aim: The objective of this study was to correlate laboratory tests during the evolution of dengue fever, comparing frequencies between the different clinical forms in order to use test results to predict the severity of the disease.

Methods: This is an observational, descriptive and retrospective study of 154 patients with clinical and serological diagnoses of dengue fever who, in the period from January to May 2008, were admitted in a tertiary state hospital in the city of Fortaleza that is a referral center for infectious diseases. The patients were allocated to two groups according to age: under 15 years old (n = 66) and 15 years or older (n = 88).

Relation factor: a new strategy for quality control in the determination of pesticides in environmental aqueous matrices.

The effects promoted by environmental aqueous matrices on pesticide determinations have been assessed, and for the first time, a simple, low-cost and efficient strategy for the correction of analytical results has been determined. This method can be useful as a parameter of quality control in a quality assurance programs. Evaluation of the matrix effect showed that environmental aqueous matrices, e.

HIV-1 tropism and CD4 T lymphocyte recovery in a prospective cohort of patients initiating HAART in Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.

While human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 chemokine co-receptors 5 tropism and the GWGR motif in the envelope third variable region (V3 loop) have been associated with a slower disease progression, their influence on antiretroviral response remains unclear. The impact of baseline V3 characteristics on treatment response was evaluated in a randomised, double blind, prospective cohort study with patients initiating highly active antiretroviral therapy with lopinavir or efavirenz plus azithothymidine/3TC (1:1) over 48 weeks. Similar virological and immunological responses were observed for both treatment regimens.