Biological contaminants analysis in microalgae culture by UV-vis spectroscopy and machine learning.

This study elucidates the utility and efficacy of UV-visible spectroscopy for the detection and characterization of biological contaminants within microalgae cultures, augmented by machine learning algorithms. Biological contamination, exemplified by flagellates and rotifers, poses a significant concern due to its potential to rapidly devastate entire cultures, thus jeopardizing commercial viability. Conventional analytical methods for monitoring contamination, such as microscopy and cytometry, are often labor-intensive, reliant on specialized expertise for microorganism identification, and may lack specificity in discerning the nature of contamination, impeding timely intervention.

Quantitative Tomographic Laser Absorption Imaging of Atomic Potassium during Combustion of Potassium Chloride Salt and Biomass.

Gaseous potassium (K) species play an important role in biomass combustion processes, and imaging techniques are powerful tools to investigate the related gas-phase chemistry. Here, laser absorption imaging of gaseous atomic K in flames is implemented using tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy at 769.9 nm and a high-speed complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) camera recording at 30 kfps.

Assessment of risk factors in patients with rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease.

Objective: To assess the risk factors for interstitial lung disease (ILD) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to evaluate the association of ILD with the use of methotrexate as well as with joint disease activity.

Methods: A retrospective, cross-sectional study conducted between March and December 2019 at a tertiary healthcare center, in a follow-up of RA patients who had undergone pulmonary function tests (PFT) and chest computed tomography. We evaluated the tomographic characteristics, such as the presence of ILD and its extension, as well as joint disease activity.

Participating as a research team during the COVID-19 pandemic benefits mental health of undergraduate medical students in Brazil.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, undergraduate medical students (UMS) exposed to isolation, social distancing and complete or partial face-to-face educational activities interruption may present increased stress, depression and anxiety. This study was undertaken to evaluate if, during isolation, UMS involved in online group activities as investigators of a research project (volunteer group) would present better mental health than their colleagues, not involved in that research (control group). A Web-based survey, via the Google Forms platform, including details on demographic data, life habits, previous health conditions, worries with the COVID-19 pandemic, sleep pattern modifications and depression, anxiety and mental stress, using the DASS-21 (Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale) was implemented from 20 July to 31 August 2020.

Ultrafast Widefield Mid-Infrared Photothermal Heterodyne Imaging.

Mid-infrared photothermal (MIP) microscopy is a valuable tool for sensitive and fast chemical imaging with high spatial resolution beyond the mid-infrared diffraction limit. The highest sensitivity is usually achieved with heterodyne MIP employing photodetector point-scans and lock-in detection, while the fastest systems use camera-based widefield MIP with pulsed probe light. One challenge is to simultaneously achieve high sensitivity, spatial resolution, and speed in a large field of view.

Fibromyalgia and menopause: an open study on postmenopausal hormone therapy.

Background: Fibromyalgia women (FM) seems to get worse at menopause suggesting some influence of estrogens on its pathophysiology. We aimed to study the influence of postmenopausal hormone therapy (HT) in FM, the relationship with sleep and FM impact.

Methods: We analyzed prospectively 69 menopausal women, divided in two groups, FM group (FMG; N.

Recommendations of the Brazilian Society of Rheumatology for the use of JAK inhibitors in the management of rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic and autoimmune systemic inflammatory disease that can cause irreversible joint deformities, with increased morbidity and mortality and a significant impact on the quality of life of the affected individual. The main objective of RA treatment is to achieve sustained clinical remission or low disease activity. However, up to 40% of patients do not respond to available treatments, including bDMARDs.

Near-infrared spectra of liquid and gas samples by diffuse reflectance employing benchtop and handheld spectrophotometers.

This paper describes a new method to obtain NIR spectra of liquid and gas samples by diffuse reflectance, which is especially suitable for handheld spectrophotometers, since most of these instruments are designed to acquire spectrum using this geometry. The core of the method is a diffuse reflectance cell, which consists of a vial containing a mixture of the liquid or gas sample (rare medium) and a powder (dense medium). Using this strategy, no adaptation is required to measure spectra with most portable NIR spectrometers.

Understanding the Metastability of Theophylline FIII by Means of Low-Frequency Vibrational Spectroscopy.

While theophylline has been extensively studied with multiple polymorphs discovered, there is still currently no conclusive structure for the metastable theophylline form III. In this present work, by combining more widely used techniques such as X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis with more emerging techniques like low-frequency Raman and terahertz time-domain spectroscopy, to analyze the structure and dynamics of a crystalline system, it was possible to provide further evidence that the form III structure has a theophylline monohydrate structure with the water molecules removed. Solid-state density functional theory simulations were paramount in proving that this proposed structure is correct and explain how vibrational modes within the crystal structures feature and govern polymorphic transitions and the metastable form III.

Incidence and risk factors for moderate/severe COVID-19 in rheumatic diseases patients on hydroxychloroquine: a 24-week prospective cohort.

Objectives: To evaluate the incidence of COVID-19 and its main outcomes in rheumatic disease (RD) patients on hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) compared to household cohabitants (HC).

Methods: This is a 24-week nationwide prospective multi-centre cohort with a control group without RD and not using HCQ. All participants were monitored through scheduled phone interviews performed by health professionals.

Data on estimations of relative dose rates along central axis of symmetric and asymmetric Ru/ Rh applicators used in eye brachytherapy.

Beta particles radiation doses have important applications in medicine. In particular, curved and symmetric as well as curved and asymmetric applicators containing the beta emitting Ru/ Rh isotopes are widely used in radiotherapy for the treatment of various ocular diseases. Nevertheless, a great problem in the use of these applicators is the inaccurate determination of the dose rates around them.

A Brazilian Cohort of Patients With Immuno-Mediated Chronic Inflammatory Diseases Infected by SARS-CoV-2 (ReumaCoV-Brasil Registry): Protocol for a Prospective, Observational Study.

Background: Patients with immune-mediated rheumatic diseases (IMRD) are at increased risk of infections, including significant morbidity and high mortality. Considering the potential for unfavorable outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with IMRD, several questions were raised regarding the impact of COVID-19 at the start of the pandemic.

Objective: This paper presents the protocol of a study that aims to prospectively evaluate patients with IMRD and a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis (using criteria provided by the Brazilian Ministry of Health).

Impact of Chronic Use of Antimalarials on SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Patients With Immune-Mediated Rheumatic Diseases: Protocol for a Multicentric Observational Cohort Study.

Background: COVID-19, caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2, has brought extensive challenges to the scientific community in recent months. Several studies have been undertaken in an attempt to minimize the impact of the disease worldwide. Although new knowledge has been quickly disseminated, including viral mechanisms, pathophysiology, and clinical findings, there is a lack of information on the effective pharmacological management of this disease.

Estimates of relative beta radiation doses on central and lateral axes of ruthenium/rhodium COB-type plaque used in eye brachytherapy.

The Ru/Rh COB-type plaque has a cut-out section that makes it suitable to be used in eye brachytherapy to treat tumours close to the optical nerve. Nevertheless, this asymmetry makes measurements and calculations of dose rates around this kind of beta applicator more difficult to perform. In this work we present a analytical and numerical method to evaluate the relative dose rates along the central axis of the COB-type plaque and a comparison is made with a result found in literature obtained by means of Monte Carlo simulation.

Low-frequency Raman spectrophotometer with wide laser illumination on the sample: A tool for pharmaceutical analytical analysis.

This work describes an optical configuration for a Raman spectrophotometer, which permits variation of the laser spot size from 3 to 3000 μm, maintaining a high Raman photons throughput and allowing acquisitions with a short integration time. In addition, the instrument can acquire spectra from the low to middle frequency vibrational range (10 to 2000 cm), on the Stokes and anti-Stokes sides. One of the features of this new optical configuration is the non-use of beam splitters to redirect the scattered light to the detector, which would sacrifice the laser power.

AAPT Diagnostic Criteria for Fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a common chronic pain disorder that presents diagnostic challenges for clinicians. Several classification, diagnostic and screening criteria have been developed over the years, but there continues to be a need to develop criteria that reflect the current understanding of FM and are practical for use by clinicians and researchers. The Analgesic, Anesthetic, and Addiction Clinical Trial Translations Innovations Opportunities and Networks (ACTTION) public-private partnership with the U.

Comparison of macro and micro Raman measurement for reliable quantitative analysis of pharmaceutical polymorphs.

This work reports on the use of micro- and macro-Raman measurements for quantification of mebendazole (MBZ) polymorphs A, B, and C in mixtures. Three Raman spectrophotometers were studied with a laser spot size of 3, 80 and 100 μm and spectral resolutions of 3.9, 9 and 4 cm, respectively.