Publications by authors named "Flavio Oliveira"

The aim of this study was to document the biodiversity of cyanobacteria genera isolated from intertidal and subtidal zones in Cabo Verde. The identification of the strains was conducted using a polyphasic study, comprising 16S rRNA gene maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference phylogeny, 16S rRNA identity (-distance), 16S-23S ITS secondary structure, morphological, and habitat analyses. A total of 51 strains were isolated by micromanipulation and by streaking biomass onto Petri dishes with a solid medium.

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Purpose: Schistosomiasis remains a parasitic disease affecting millions of people worldwide, requiring interventions like vaccination. In previous work, our group used reverse vaccinology to identify two epitopes from the Schistosoma mansoni proteins, Sm050890 (44-58) and Sm141290 (225-239). This study evaluated the immune response profile and protection induced by peptides, as a mixture of immunogens, in murine vaccination trials.

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Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the quantity, types, and trends of surgical procedures used to treat obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) within a diverse national population, utilizing a comprehensive proprietary healthcare database.

Methods: This descriptive observational study analyzed longitudinal data from the Optum Clinformatics® Data Mart databases, covering the period from January 2004 to December 2020. The study included patients aged 18 to 89 years, both male and female, with a confirmed diagnosis of OSA.

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Culture collections such as the Blue Biotechnology and Ecotoxicology Culture Collection (LEGE-CC) hold approximately 1200 cyanobacterial strains and are critical community resources. However, many isolates in this and other collections have not been described with a polyphasic approach, and this limits further study. Here, we employed a polyphasic methodology that integrates 16S rRNA gene phylogenetic analyses, similarity (p-distance), 16S-23S ITS rRNA region secondary structures, morphological analyses, and habitat assessments to describe four novel cyanobacterial genera from the LEGE-CC, Portugal.

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This work investigated interactions ascribed to the administration of phytomedicines containing and with conventional drugs. The phytomedicines were characterized by HPLC and administered per os to male Wistar rats, either concomitantly or not with the CYP3A substrate midazolam. To distinguish between the presystemic or systemic effect, midazolam was given orally and intravenously.

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Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often referred to as "forever chemicals", are a class of man-made, extremely stable chemicals, which are widely used in industrial and commercial applications. Exposure to some PFAS is now known to be detrimental to human health. By virtue of PFAS long residence times, they are widely detected in the environment, including remote locations such as the Arctics, where the origin of the PFAS is poorly understood.

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In this study, rapid diagnostic of multidrug-resistant (MDR) sepsis pathogens, directly from positive blood culture (BC) bottles, was evaluated by combining MALDI-TOF and the EUCAST Rapid Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (RAST). Carbapenemase production in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates was also evaluated by RAST. From 171 positive BC bottles analyzed, 79 (46 %) MDR species, including E.

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This work originated from the demand presented by an electric power transmission company and addresses a possible solution for the sector by exploring alternatives to extend the flight time of drones in the inspection of transmission lines. This original article demonstrates the use of the electromagnetic field of a transmission line to generate useful electrical power at the terminals of a bulb containing argon gas. It is an unprecedented application in power transmission.

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The present study aimed to evaluate the influence of increasing levels of corn straw replacement of sorghum silage on average daily gain, loin eye area, subcutaneous fat thickness, weight of commercial cuts, leg tissue composition, and physico-chemical characteristics of the meat from F1 Santa Inês × Dorper lambs maintained in a feedlot system. Treatments consisted of 0, 33, 66 and 100% corn straw replacement of sorghum silage. There were thirty-six 150-day-old male lambs.

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Live trapping is a key technique for conducting ecological studies on small mammals. All-metal live traps are popular in monitoring schemes owing to their tested performance, lightweight design (aluminium) and foldability. However, capture represents a stressful situation for small mammals, particularly during cold seasons, when individuals are susceptible to cold weather starvation resulting from low temperature and insufficient food to maintain body temperature.

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This work focuses on evaluating the spatial variability of chemical attributes of soils under different agricultural use and native forest, indicating which are the possible indicator attributes of changes in environmental, through the use and management of the soil. The study was carried out in the southern region of the Amazonas state, in an Argissolo Vermelho-Amarelo (Ultisol). Sampling grids were established measuring: 90 m × 70 m with regular soil collection spacing of 10 m for the guarana and forest areas; 90 m × 56 m spaced at 10 m × 8 m for annatto area; and 54 m × 42 m with spacing between points of 6 m for the cupuaçu area, totaling 80 sampling points in each area, with soil samples collected at depths of 0.

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Background: At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, patients with myocardial infarction (MI) took longer to present to hospitals because of fear of contamination and health care access difficulties.

Objectives: To assess interventional cardiology procedures performed during the COVID-19 pandemic and its implications for MI approach.

Methods: Prospective registry of 24 cardiac catheterization laboratories in Brazil, with adult patients undergoing interventional cardiology procedures between May 26 and November 30, 2020.

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Article Synopsis
  • - Two new variants of carbapenemase, named KPC-113 and KPC-114, were discovered in clinical samples in Brazil in 2020, linked to resistance against the antibiotic ceftazidime-avibactam (CZA).
  • - KPC-113 and KPC-114 were found in different bacterial strains, with specific genetic mutations that contribute to their resistance profiles, showcasing a worrying trend in antibiotic resistance in South America.
  • - The emergence of these novel KPC variants poses significant challenges for treatment, highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring and surveillance of antibiotic resistance in the region.
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COVID-19 has emerged as a global pandemic leading to an increase in hospitalization and intensive care unit (ICU) admissions worldwide. Due to severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), many patients require prone positioning, which is associated with increased pressure ulcer/injury (PU/PI) incidence. COVID-19 pathophysiology may favor the occurrence of PU/PI due to hypoxemia, inflammatory status, and vasculopathy.

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Article Synopsis
  • A machine learning method was used to analyze genome polymorphisms for predicting severe COVID-19 outcomes in 96 Brazilian patients.
  • The study identified 12 important SNPs using a support vector machine approach, achieving metrics of 85% accuracy, 80% sensitivity, and 90% specificity in classification.
  • The findings indicate that genetic factors play a crucial role in determining the risk of developing severe COVID-19, including identifying individuals at risk even when they are not infected.
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Sewage sludge (SS) presents a high agronomic potential due to high concentrations of organic matter and nutrients, encouraging its recycling as a soil conditioner. However, the presence of toxic substances can preclude this use. To enable the safe disposal of this waste in agriculture, SS requires additional detoxification to decrease the environmental risks of this practice.

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  • The study evaluated the biomechanical behavior of PEEK abutments of different heights on single titanium implants, using various testing methods like scanning electron microscopy.
  • Twenty implants were tested with either a short abutment (4.5 × 4.0 mm) or a long abutment (4.5 × 5.5 mm), and their performance was assessed through a single load fracture test and fatigue test.
  • Results indicated no significant difference in maximum load between the two groups, but differences were found in the number of cycles and fracture strength, suggesting that PEEK abutments may be used cautiously for temporary implant-supported rehabilitation.
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Background: Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is the most serious manifestation of rheumatic fever, which may also affect the brain. The current study assessed the prevalence of neuropsychiatric manifestations in patients with RHD, including clinical features associated with basal ganglia motor dysfunction (BGMD).

Methods: We conducted neurologic and psychiatric assessments in consecutive patients with RHD referred to a tertiary center for heart valve diseases.

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  • The Winograd technique is commonly used to treat ingrown toenails, and this study explores two modifications aimed at improving its effectiveness.
  • The modified technique showed significantly fewer postoperative complications, shorter healing times, and higher patient satisfaction compared to the conventional method.
  • Results indicated a lower infection rate (1.8% vs. 20.62%), quicker recovery (8.10 days vs. 14.51 days), and overall better outcomes, suggesting the modified approach could be beneficial in clinical settings for treating ingrown toenails.
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Wastewater reuse is an important strategy for water resource management. For this reason, the disinfection process must be appropriated, eliminating pathogenic microorganisms. Ozonation (O) and UV/HO treatments can be used for effluent disinfection, but few studies just address the Escherichia coli quantification.

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Ambient temperature has a substantial influence on the thermoregulation costs of small mammals due to their high surface-to-volume ratio. Shrews are among the smallest of mammals and have adopted different behavioral and physiological strategies to deal with cold temperatures. In this study, we assessed the use of an external heat source in the thermoregulatory strategy of two Crocidurinae species, Crocidura russula and C.

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Article Synopsis
  • Mammals are facing global threats, with about 26% of species in jeopardy due to habitat loss, pollution, and human actions, highlighting the need for conservation efforts.
  • The "Mammals in Portugal" data set provides over 105,000 records of 92 mammal species across mainland Portugal and its islands from 1873 to 2021, primarily collected through live observations and sign surveys.
  • It emphasizes the conservation status of various species, including those classified as threatened by the IUCN, and aims to support future research and conservation initiatives.
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Objective: A pressure injury (PI) is a localised area of damage to the skin and/or underlying soft tissue as a result of a sustained mechanical loading. There are three key aetiological mechanisms to PI formation-direct cell deformation, inflammatory oedema and ischaemic damage-which are typically activated sequentially to drive a spiral of injury. This article discusses the role of the perioperative prone position as a rational approach to reducing the recurrence of pelvic PI after reconstructive surgery.

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Convergence of resistance and virulence in Klebsiella pneumoniae is a critical public health issue worldwide. A multidrug-resistant CTX-M-15-producing K. pneumoniae (TIES-4900 strain) was isolated from a highly impacted urban river, in Brazil.

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The aspiration of objects and foreign bodies requires quick and systematic care. During emergent orotracheal intubation, accidental dental crown release can cause a threat to the patient's life. This paper aimed to report a case of foreign body (dental prosthetic crown) aspiration and its management and discuss alternative approaches.

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