'Neither here nor there'? Meiofauna as an effective tool to evaluate the impacts of the 2019 mysterious oil spill in a Northeast Brazil coral reef.

During the last half of 2019, the Northeast coast of Brazil suffered from an extensive oil spill of unknown origin, and marine organisms in those areas were subjected to significant impacts. In situations like this, the contaminant effects can persist for varying periods. Oil contaminants, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), generally reduce taxa's abundance and diversity in benthic communities in areas with greater exposure to chemical components.

Sleep Quality among Older Adults in Brazil during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic: The Role of Physical Activity.

 To assess sleep quality and sleepiness among older adults after social distancing during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and its association with physical activity.  The present cross-sectional study included a sample of 290 Brazilians aged ≥ 60 years. Subjective sleep quality and sleepiness were assessed using the Mini-Sleep Questionnaire (MSQ) and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS).

Evidences of radioresistance in from Northeastern Brazil.

Background: Ionizing radiation can inflict cellular damage, the severity of which is determined by the dose, exposure duration, and its capacity to penetrate cells. Some studies have demonstrated that genetic and epigenetic mechanisms have enabled organisms to develop adaptive traits and enhance their ability to repair DNA damage. Northeastern Brazil, a region containing rocky outcrops rich in uranium and thorium, is an ideal scenario to study natural radiation and its effects on natural populations.

Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the nutrition knowledge questionnaire for ultra-endurance athletes (ULTRA-Q) for Brazil.

Aims: This study aimed to perform a cross-cultural adaptation and validate a questionnaire to assess the nutrition knowledge of Brazilian ultra-endurance athletes.

Methods: This is an observational and cross-sectional study, which adapted and validated the Nutritional Knowledge Questionnaire for Ultra-endurance Athletes (ULTRA-Q). ULTRA-Q was translated into Portuguese, and then the translated version was assessed for semantic, idiomatic, cultural and conceptual equivalence by six specialist nutritionists.

Reducing Deep Sedation and Benzodiazepine Use in Mechanically Ventilated Patients During Critical Care Transport: A Quality Improvement Initiative.

Objective: Deep sedation of mechanically ventilated patients is associated with poorer outcomes, including longer hospital length of stay and more ventilator days. In contrast, light sedation is associated with decreased hospital and intensive care unit length of stay, lower ventilator days, and decreased mortality. This study sought to decrease the use of unindicated deep sedation and benzodiazepine use in mechanically ventilated patients during critical care transport.

Two new species of Microlaimidae (Nematoda: Microlaimida) from the Continental Shelf off Northeastern Brazil (Atlantic Ocean) with emended diagnosis and dichotomous key.

New species of the genera and (Nematoda: Microlaimidae) have been found in sediment samples collected in the South Atlantic, along the Continental Shelf break off Northeastern Brazil. Different to other species, possesses six outer labial setae and four cephalic setae with approximately the same length. differs from other species of in having somatic setae on peduncles.

Mechanistic studies of mycobacterial glycolipid biosynthesis by the mannosyltransferase PimE.

Tuberculosis (TB), exceeded in mortality only by COVID-19 among global infectious diseases, is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). The pathogenicity of Mtb is largely attributed to its complex cell envelope, which includes a class of glycolipids called phosphatidyl-myo-inositol mannosides (PIMs), found uniquely in mycobacteria and its related corynebacterineae. These glycolipids maintain the integrity of the mycobacterial cell envelope, regulate its permeability, and mediate host-pathogen interactions.

Peri-Intubation Push-Dose Vasopressors in Critical Care Transport.

Objective: Push-dose vasopressors are commonly administered to attenuate peri-intubation hypotension. The aim of this study was to describe the current use of push-dose vasopressors in critical care transport.

Methods: This was a retrospective chart review of adult patients (≥ 18 years) intubated between January 2017 and May 2023 who received push-dose vasopressors.

PCBs contamination in water and Mytilus edulis along the north Portuguese Atlantic Ocean coastline and analysis of potential carcinogenic risk to human health.

Seven seawater polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were measured in water (DAP), suspended particulate matter (SPM), and blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) collected from four beaches in northwest Portugal. PCBs were extracted using solid-phase-extraction, ultrasound-extraction and QuEChERS before GC-MS analysis. The two-year annual average concentrations of PCBs in DAP, SPM and the four-year analysis in mussels were ∼ 4.

Hemodynamic Collapse After Intubation in Critical Care Transport.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to describe the incidence of and modifiable risk factors for post intubation hemodynamic collapse in prehospital and interfacility critical care transport.

Methods: Single center retrospective chart review of adult patients (≥18 years) intubated by a critical care transport team between January 2017 and May 2023. The primary outcome was incidence of hemodynamic collapse (systolic blood pressure <90 mmHg for greater than 30 min, new vasopressor requirement, vasopressor dose increase, fluid bolus of >15 mL/kg, systolic blood pressure <65 mmHg at least once, or cardiac arrest).

Ultramarathon runners and support crew: The influence of pre-race sleep and training profiles on performance in a 217-km mountain race.

The present study evaluates the effects of pre-race sleep and training characteristics among ultra-athletes and support crew, and the influence of these factors on the athlete's performance in a 217-km ultramarathon. A total of 38 ultramarathon runners and 59 support crew members were assessed. The participants answered questionnaires about chronotype, sleep quality, sleepiness, basic demographics, and pre-race training.

Neuromuscular Blocking Agent Use in Critical Care Transport Not Associated With Intubation.

Objective: Variable indications exist for neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) in the critical care transport setting beyond facilitation of intubation.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included adult patients (≥ 18 years) who underwent critical care transport from July 1, 2020, to May 2, 2023, and received NMBAs during transport that was not associated with intubation. The primary outcome was the indication for NMBA administration.

Sleep "ON", sleep better! Positive effects of levodopa on sleep behaviour in people with Parkinson's disease.

People with Parkinson's disease experience reduced sleep quality compared with their peers. Levodopa may have a direct effect on sleep macrostructure or may improve sleep by enhancing nocturnal motor performance. Therefore, it is important to understand the acute effects of withdrawing levodopa on sleep measures in Parkinson's disease.

Three new species of free-living marine nematodes of the genus (Nematoda: Microlaimidae) from the continental shelf off northeastern Brazil (Atlantic Ocean).

Three new species of the genus (Nematoda: Microlaimidae) are described from sample sediments collected in the South Atlantic, along the Continental Shelf break of Northeastern Brazil. possesses four setiform cephalic sensillae, a buccal cavity with three small teeth, arched and slender spicules and a wave-shaped gubernaculum. is characterized by four small cephalic sensillae, a buccal cavity with three teeth (one large dorsal tooth), cephalated spicules and a strongly arched gubernaculum in the distal region.

Cardiac autonomic nervous activity during different sleep stages in individuals with spinal cord injury: The influence of physical training.

Objective: The present study assessed the influence of physical training on cardiac autonomic activity in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) during different sleep stages.

Methods: Twenty-six volunteers were allocated into three groups: 9 sedentary individuals without SCI (control, CON); 8 sedentary tetraplegic individuals with chronic SCI (SED-SCI); 9 physically trained tetraplegic individuals with chronic SCI (TR-SCI). All participants underwent nocturnal polysomnography to monitor sleep stages: wakefulness, non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep (N1, N2, and N3 stages), and REM sleep.

Effects of combined exercise training with sleep education in older adults with obstructive sleep apnea: protocol for a randomized clinical trial.

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common disorder that affects approximately 1 billion people worldwide. Advanced age is a significant risk factor. Various treatment options have been explored to reduce the severity of OSA symptoms and physical exercise has emerged as a potential alternative therapy.

Impact of a Divided Phenobarbital Load and Taper Compared With Lorazepam Symptom Triggered Therapy in Hospitalized Patients.

Background: Benzodiazepines are the preferred treatment for alcohol withdrawal. Phenobarbital is an alternative in the setting of prescriber expertise or benzodiazepine contraindication.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a phenobarbital dosing strategy aimed at treating a spectrum of alcohol withdrawal symptoms across various patient populations.

Correlation of Sedation Depth During Critical Care Transport and Hospitalization.

We aim to assess the impact of the exposure to deep versus light sedation by a critical care transport agency during prehospital and interhospital transport on hospital sedation levels, medication exposure, and outcomes of mechanically ventilated patients. Retrospective cohort review of mechanically ventilated adult critical care transport patients from January 1, 2019, to March 11, 2020, who arrived at an academic medical center. The primary outcome was the correlation of deep sedation during transport with deep sedation within the first 48 h of hospitalization (defined as Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale [RASS] -3 to -5).

Sedation Practices of Mechanically Ventilated Patients During Critical Care Transport.

Objective: Mechanically ventilated patients who receive deep levels of sedation have high mortality rates, longer lengths of stay, and longer duration of mechanical ventilation in the intensive care unit. Prior literature demonstrated a high frequency of deep sedation across all levels of care. Benzodiazepines have been attributed to similar morbidity and mortality findings.

Effectiveness of exercise and pramipexole in the treatment of restless leg syndrome: Implications on the dopaminergic system and PTPRD.

Objective: Dopaminergic dysfunction, iron reduction and variations in the PTPRD gene (protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type delta) may be associated with restless leg syndrome (RLS). Here, we evaluate the effect of pramipexole (PPX) and exercise on genes and proteins associated with RLS and on sleep patterns in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).

Methods: Animals were distributed into 4 groups: 1) Control (CTRL); 2) Exercise (EX); 3) Exercise and pramipexole (EX + PPX); and 4) Pramipexole (PPX).