Floral developmental insights into two species of Erythrina (Fabaceae: Papilionoideae: Phaseoleae) pollinated by hummingbirds and passerines.

Erythrina is a Pantropical bird-pollinated genus of Fabaceae. Thus, its flowers are usually large, showy, red or yellowish, offering nectar as the principal resource. There are two main interaction systems with birds in Erythrina: in one, the inflorescences are erect and the flowers are horizontal, offering no landing platform; in the other, the inflorescences are horizontal and the flower parts are more exposed.

Fibromyalgia comorbidity in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus patients: assessing impact on quality of life.

Introduction: The prevalence of Fibromyalgia in patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is significantly higher compared to the general population. Despite this frequent association, Fibromyalgia remains underdiagnosed and consequently inadequately treated, negatively affecting the quality of life of these patients.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the occurrence of Fibromyalgia and its impact on the quality of life of Brazilian patients with SLE treated at a University Hospital in the state of Paraiba.

Unraveling the Complexity of Chikungunya Virus Infection Immunological and Genetic Insights in Acute and Chronic Patients.

: The chikungunya virus (CHIKV), transmitted by infected Aedes mosquitoes, has caused a significant number of infections worldwide. In Brazil, the emergence of the CHIKV-ECSA genotype in 2014 posed a major public health challenge due to its association with more severe symptoms. : This study aimed to shed new light on the host immune response by examining the whole-blood transcriptomic profile of both CHIKV-acute and chronically infected individuals from Feira de Santana, Bahia, Brazil, a region heavily affected by CHIKV, Dengue, and Zika virus epidemics.

Thinking politically about intersectoral action: Ideas, Interests and Institutions shaping political dimensions of governing during COVID-19.

Our paper examines the political considerations in the intersectoral action that was evident during the SAR-COV-2 virus (COVID-19) pandemic through case studies of political and institutional responses in 16 nations (Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Ethiopia, India, New Zealand, Nigeria, Peru, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, UK, and USA). Our qualitative case study approach involved an iterative process of data gathering and interpretation through the three Is (institutions, ideas and interests) lens, which we used to shape our understanding of political and intersectoral factors affecting pandemic responses. The institutional factors examined were: national economic and political context; influence of the global economic order; structural inequities; and public health structures and legislation, including intersectoral action.

The Role of 2, 4, and 5-dimensional Cardiac Flow MRI for Evaluation of Valvulopathies: A Literature Review.

Aim: Two-dimensional phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (2D flow MRI) and its multidimensional alternatives, 4D and 5D flow MRI, measure blood flow in the heart and great vessels. While 2D flow MRI is the standard technique, it has limitations regarding need for precise image plane prescribing and long scan time. In contrast, 4D and 5D flow MRI acquire 3D volumes, enabling retrospective assessment of all vessels.

Optical coherence tomography angiography based prognostic factors and visual outcomes in primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment after pars plana vitrectomy.

Purpose: To evaluate the visual outcomes and changes in the retinal microcirculation in patients with primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) following successful pars plana vitrectomy (PPV).

Methods: Nine macula-on RRD and 23 macula-off RRD eyes were retrospectively evaluated. Clinical data was collected at admission and 3 months after PPV.

Caring During COVID-19: A Study of Intersectionality and Inequities in the Care Economy in 16 Countries.

Carers were disproportionately harmed in the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite facing an increased risk of contracting the virus, they continued in frontline roles in care services and acted as "shock absorbers" for their families and communities. In this article, we apply an intersectional lens to examine care work and the structural factors disadvantaging carers during COVID-19 through a comparative case study analysis of 16 low-, middle-, and high-income countries.

Respiratory-resolved five-dimensional flow cardiovascular magnetic resonance : In-vivo validation and respiratory-dependent flow changes in healthy volunteers and patients with congenital heart disease.

Background: This study aimed to validate respiratory-resolved five-dimensional (5D) flow cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) against real-time two-dimensional (2D) phase-contrast MRI, assess the impact of number of respiratory states, and measure the impact of respiration on hemodynamics in congenital heart disease (CHD) patients.

Methods: Respiratory-resolved 5D flow MRI-derived net and peak flow measurements were compared to real-time 2D phase-contrast MRI-derived measurements in 10 healthy volunteers. Pulmonary-to-systemic flow ratios (Qp:Qs) were measured in 19 CHD patients and aortopulmonary collateral burden was measured in 5 Fontan patients.

Hydrogel-based hybrid membrane enhances in vitro ophthalmic drug evaluation in the OphthalMimic device.

Envisaging to improve the evaluation of ophthalmic drug products while minimizing the need for animal testing, our group developed the OphthalMimic device, a 3D-printed device that incorporates an artificial lacrimal flow, a cul-de-sac area, a moving eyelid, and a surface that interacts effectively with ophthalmic formulations, thereby providing a close representation of human ocular conditions. An important application of such a device would be its use as a platform for dissolution/release tests that closely mimic in vivo conditions. However, the surface that artificially simulates the cornea should have a higher resistance (10 min) than the previously described polymeric films (5 min).

The effect of antireaction medications on the association between periodontitis and leprosy reactions: An important methodological issue in periodontal medicine.

Background: The treatment of leprosy reactions (LRs) involves thalidomide, corticosteroids, and other immunomodulatory medications. This study evaluated the effect of these treatments on the association between periodontitis and LRs, as well as factors associated with LRs.

Methods: This case-control study was conducted on 283 individuals followed at a leprosy outpatient clinic in Brazil.

Tactile sensory processing deficits in genetic mouse models of autism spectrum disorder.

Altered sensory processing is a common feature in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Although altered responses to tactile stimuli are observed in over 60% of individuals with ASD, the neurobiological basis of this phenomenon is poorly understood. ASD has a strong genetic component and genetic mouse models can provide valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying tactile abnormalities in ASD.

Chorioretinal Atrophic Lesions Evolution in Patients with Quiescent Myopic Choroidal Neovascularization Followed for More Than 10 Years.

Purpose: To evaluate the progression of chorioretinal atrophic areas associated with myopic choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in high myopic patients followed by a minimum period of 10 years.

Patients And Methods: Patients with myopic CNV lesions that achieved clinical and structural remissions over 10 years of follow-up were included. Medical records were reviewed for CNV characterization and treatment, best-corrected visual acuity at baseline (BCVA0), immediately after the last treatment (BCVA1) and at the latest visit (BCVA2).

OphthalMimic: A new alternative apparatus without animal tissue for the evaluation of topical ophthalmic drug products.

The necessity of animal-free performance tests for novel ophthalmic formulation screening is challenging. For this, we developed and validated a new device to simulate the dynamics and physical-chemical barriers of the eye for in vitro performance tests of topic ophthalmic formulations. The OphthalMimic is a 3D-printed device with an artificial lacrimal flow, a cul-de-sac area, a support base, and a simulated cornea comprised of a polymeric membrane containing poly-vinyl alcohol 10 % (w/v), gelatin 2.

The Use of Herbal Medicines Among Cancer Patients.

Background and objective The use of herbal medicines has been increasing among cancer patients, as a way to control cancer and treatment-related symptoms; however, many patients are reluctant to disclose this use to their medical practitioners. The fact that oncological treatments have a narrow therapeutic margin, associated with the lack of control and clinical evidence concerning these supplements, makes medication-herbal interactions a reality. These interactions could lead to increased toxicity or a decreased effectiveness of oncological treatment.

Combined free-running four-dimensional anatomical and flow magnetic resonance imaging with native contrast using Synchronization of Neighboring Acquisitions by Physiological Signals.

Background: Four-dimensional (4D) flow magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) often relies on the injection of gadolinium- or iron-oxide-based contrast agents to improve vessel delineation. In this work, a novel technique is developed to acquire and reconstruct 4D flow data with excellent dynamic visualization of blood vessels but without the need for contrast injection. Synchronization of Neighboring Acquisitions by Physiological Signals (SyNAPS) uses pilot tone (PT) navigation to retrospectively synchronize the reconstruction of two free-running three-dimensional radial acquisitions, to create co-registered anatomy and flow images.

Genetic and environmental contributions for the relationship between tooth loss and oral potentially malignant disorders and oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: To investigate the association between tooth loss and oral potentially malignant disorders and oral squamous cell carcinoma, focusing on epidemiological factors and genetic variants.

Methods: Case-control study, including histologically confirmed oral potentially malignant disorders and oral squamous cell carcinoma cases and healthy controls. Unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios for this association were calculated.

Patau and Edwards Syndromes in a University Hospital: beyond palliative care.

Objective: To describe the newborn population with Patau (T13) and Edwards Syndrome (T18) with congenital heart diseases that stayed in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a quaternary care hospital complex, regarding surgical and non-surgical medical procedures, palliative care, and outcomes.

Methods: Descriptive case series conducted from January/2014 to December/2018 through analysis of records of patients with positive karyotype for T13 or T18 who stayed in the ICU of a quaternary hospital. Descriptive statistics analysis was applied.

Two-Step Iridocorneal Endothelial Syndrome Management: Endocapsular Intraocular Lens and Artificial Iris Followed by Descemet's Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty.

A 54-year-old female presented with complaints of glare and progressive visual loss OS with a corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) OS of 20/100. The patient had grade 1 corneal edema with a "beaten bronze" appearance on specularly reflected light, pseudopolycoria, and a nuclear sclerotic cataract. The diagnosis of nuclear cataract and progressive iris atrophy iridocorneal endothelial (ICE) syndrome was made, and the patient underwent uneventful phacoemulsification with capsular bag placement of an AcrySof SA60AT intraocular lens combined with pseudopolycoria repair using an endocapsular Model A REPER artificial iris.

Dynamic Ex Vivo Porcine Eye Model to Measure Ophthalmic Drug Penetration under Simulated Lacrimal Flow.

Animal models are still used in the research and development of ophthalmic drug products, mainly due to the difficulty in simulating natural physiological conditions with in vitro models, as there is a lack of dynamic protection mechanisms. Therefore, developing alternative ophthalmic models that evaluate drug penetration in the cornea while applying dynamic protection barriers is a contemporary challenge. This study aimed to develop a dynamic ex vivo model using porcine eyes with a simulated lacrimal flow to evaluate the performance of pharmaceutical drug products.

PANCREATODUODENECTOMY DUE TO LIPOMATOUS PSEUDOHYPERTROPHY OF THE PANCREAS.

Background: Lipomatous pseudohypertrophy of the pancreas, pancreatic lipomatosis, pancreatic steatosis, non-alcoholic fatty pancreatic disease, or fatty pancreas is an extremely rare disease, characterized by the organ enlargement and a localized or diffuse replacement of pancreatic acinar cells by mature adipose tissue, preserving the pancreatic ductal system and islets of Langerhans.

Aims: To report a rare case of lipomatous pseudohypertrophy of the pancreas in a symptomatic patient and the surgical treatment employed.

Methods: A 24-year-old male patient with weight loss (10 kilograms in 8 months), hyperglycemia, severe and recurrent acute abdominal pain, epigastric discomfort associated with nausea, vomiting, and jaundice for 40 days.