Serodiagnosis of urogenital schistosomiasis and profiling of immunoreactive protein(s) in Schistosoma haematobium soluble egg and adult worm antigens.

Background Objectives: To achieve schistosomiasis eradication plan by 2030, the development of efficient diagnosis is crucial. This study focuses on assessing the immunodiagnostic potential of S. haematobium (Sh) soluble egg antigen (SEA) and worm antigen (SWA) for urogenital schistosomiasis.

Ultrafast and highly sensitive detection of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein by field-effect transistor graphene-based biosensors.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), etiological agent for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has resulted in over 775 million global infections. Early diagnosis remains pivotal for effective epidemiological surveillance despite the availability of vaccines. Antigen-based assays are advantageous for early COVID-19 detection due to their simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and suitability for point-of-care testing (PoCT).

Enhancing the epidemiological surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 using Sanger sequencing to identify circulating variants and recombinants.

Since the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 in December 2019, more than 12,000 mutations in the virus have been identified. These could cause changes in viral characteristics and directly impact global public health. The emergence of variants is a great concern due to the chance of increased transmissibility and infectivity.

Whole-Body Photobiomodulation Therapy Propels the Fibromyalgia Patient into the Recomposition Phase: A Reflexive Thematic Analysis.

Background: Recent evidence has identified great promise for the novel whole-body photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) for individuals with fibromyalgia (FM). However, currently no evidence has documented the experiences of participants. The objective of this study was to qualitatively assess treatment experience and response in a group of participants with FM undergoing a course of whole-body PBMT.

Fluorescent quantum dot-based nanotool for targeted identification and evaluation of the schistosomiasis circulating cathodic antigen in tissue samples.

Schistosomiasis represents a serious public health problem, a disease for which the circulating cathodic antigen (CCA) is a relevant biomarker. Quantum dots (QDs) are advantageous fluorescent nanoparticles that can be used as specific nanoprobes. In this study, a nanotool based on QDs and anti-CCA antibodies was developed, which, in association with fluorescence microscopy, was applied to trace and evaluate the CCA profile in schistosomiasis-infected tissue samples.

The creation of Grampians Health - a case study focusing on lessons learned from a health service merger.

This case study of the merger of four hospitals in western Victoria reports on the views of participants affected by the merger - as staff or from the communities - about 2 years after the merger. Respondents reported that many of the sought-after benefits of the merger were being delivered. However, the merger process itself attracted criticism, and it is here that this merger can provide lessons for others.

Immunogenicity and safety of inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine (CoronaVac) using two-dose primary protocol in children and adolescents (Immunita-002, Brazil): A phase IV six-month follow up.

Introduction: Vaccines are essential for the prevention and control of several diseases, indeed, monitoring the immune response generated by vaccines is crucial. The immune response generated by vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 in children and adolescents is not well defined regarding to the intensity and medium to long-term duration of a protective immune response, which may point out the need of booster doses and might support the decisions in public health.

Objective: The study aims to evaluate the immunogenicity and safety of inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine (CoronaVac) in a two-dose primary protocol in children and adolescent aging from 3 to 17 years old in Brazil.

The Fibromyalgia Decomposition Phenomenon: A Reflexive Thematic Analysis.

Research is needed that can provide an illustration of the different biopsychosocial and environmental experiences of people with fibromyalgia to consider how healthcare professionals can best engage with the challenges that are faced. Qualitative research is well-positioned to do this. The current study used interpretive hermeneutic phenomenology situated within a pragmatic worldview, the aim being to obtain a deeper exploration of the fibromyalgia experience prior to commencing a novel intervention.

Variant-dependent oxidative and cytokine responses of human neutrophils to SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and anti-spike IgG1 antibodies.

Introduction: Severe forms of COVID-19, the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, are characterized by acute respiratory distress syndrome, robust lung inflammation and death in some patients. Strong evidence has been accumulating that polymorphonuclear neutrophilic granulocytes (PMN) play an important role in the pathophysiology of severe COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2 directly induces PMN activation, mainly the release of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs).

Antibody response and soluble mediator profile in the first six months following acute SARS-CoV-2 infection.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a severe global health and economic crisis, with significant consequences for human mortality and morbidity. Therefore, there is an urgent need for more studies on the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection, both to enhance its effectiveness and prevent its deleterious effects. This study presents the chronology of antibodies during six months after infection in hospitalized patients and the kinetics of serum soluble mediators of the cellular response triggered by SARS-CoV-2.

Whole-Body Photobiomodulation Therapy for Fibromyalgia: A Feasibility Trial.

Effective treatment for fibromyalgia (FM) is lacking and further treatment options are needed. Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) represents one potential treatment option. Whilst favourable findings have been reported using localised PBMT, no investigations have established the value of whole-body PBMT for the complete set of symptom domains in FM.

COVID-19 in patients with chronic kidney disease: a 2-year study of incidence and mortality in relation to the variants of concern waves in Brazil.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a risk factor for severe coronavirus disease (COVID-19). In Brazil, the disease is the 10th highest cause of death. We evaluated the epidemiological impact of COVID-19 in CDK and non-CDK patients.

DNA aptamer selection and construction of an aptasensor based on graphene FETs for Zika virus NS1 protein detection.

Zika virus (ZIKV) is a mosquito-borne virus that is phylogenetically close to other medically important flaviviruses with high global public health significance, such as dengue (DENV) and yellow fever (YFV) viruses. Correct diagnosis of a flavivirus infection can be challenging, particularly in world regions where more than one flavivirus co-circulates and YFV vaccination is mandatory. Acid nucleic aptamers are oligonucleotides that bind to a specific target molecule with high affinity and specificity.

Booster dose of BNT162b2 after two doses of CoronaVac improves neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant.

Background: The emergence of the new SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant, which is known to have a large number of mutations when compared to other variants, brought to light the concern about vaccine escape, especially from the neutralization by antibodies induced by vaccination.

Methods: Based on viral microneutralization assays, we evaluated in 90 individuals the impact on antibody neutralization induction, against Omicron variant, by a booster dose of BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine after the CoronaVac primary vaccination scheme.

Results: Here we show that the percentage of seroconverted individuals 30 and 60 days after CoronaVac scheme was 16.

Access to COVID-19 vaccines and testing in Africa: the importance of COVAX - Nigeria as a case study.

Since pandemic declaration, the vulnerability of countries with serious economic challenges and limited health resources became evident. This vulnerability has been put to the test once again with the appearance of Omicron as another variant of concern. Although great efforts have been made to develop effective and safe vaccines, they need to be made available globally at an affordable price to all governments and distributed equitably to maximize immediate and long-term efforts to contain the virus and advance global public health.

Immunogenicity, Effectiveness, and Safety of Inactivated Virus (CoronaVac) Vaccine in a Two-Dose Primary Protocol and BNT162b2 Heterologous Booster in Brazil (Immunita-001): A One Year Period Follow Up Phase 4 Study.

Background: Effective and safe vaccines against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are critical to controlling the COVID-19 pandemic and will remain the most important tool in limiting the spread of the virus long after the pandemic is over.

Methods: We bring pioneering contributions on the maintenance of the immune response over a year on a real-life basis study in 1,587 individuals (18-90 yrs, median 39 yrs; 1,208 female/379 male) who underwent vaccination with two doses of CoronaVac and BNT162b2 booster after 6-months of primary protocol.

Findings: Elevated levels of anti-spike IgG antibodies were detected after CoronaVac vaccination, which significantly decreased after 80 days and remained stable until the introduction of the booster dose.

Long COVID-19 syndrome: a 14-months longitudinal study during the two first epidemic peaks in Southeast Brazil.

Background: A growing number of long COVID cases after infection have been reported. By definition, long COVID is the condition whereby affected individuals do not recover for several weeks or months following the onset of symptoms suggestive of COVID-19, the profile and timeline of which remains uncertain.

Methods: In this work, in-home, outpatient and hospitalized COVID-19 positive patients were monitored for up to 14 mo to establish the prevalence of long COVID symptoms and their correlation with age, pre-existing comorbidities and course of acute infection.

Anti-mitochondrial Tryparedoxin Peroxidase Monoclonal Antibody-Based Immunohistochemistry for Diagnosis of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) remains a globally spreading public health problem. Among Latin America countries, Brazil has the greatest number of recorded CL cases with several species being associated with human cases. Laboratory diagnosis is one of the major challenges to disease control due to the low accuracy of parasitological techniques, the restricted use of molecular techniques, and the importance of differential diagnosis with regard to several dermatological and systemic diseases.

Diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers in colorectal cancer: a review.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a public health concern and the second most common type of cancer among men and women causing a significant mortality. Biomarkers closely linked to the disease morbidity could holds potential as diagnostic and/or prognostic biomarker for the disease. This review provides an overview of recent advances in the search for colorectal cancer biomarkers through genomics and proteomics according to clinical function and application.

Resolving the immune landscape of human prostate at a single-cell level in health and cancer.

The prostate gland produces prostatic fluid, high in zinc and citrate and essential for the maintenance of spermatozoa. Prostate cancer is a common condition with limited treatment efficacy in castration-resistant metastatic disease, including with immune checkpoint inhibitors. Using single-cell RNA-sequencing to perform an unbiased assessment of the cellular landscape of human prostate, we identify a subset of tumor-enriched androgen receptor-negative luminal epithelial cells with increased expression of cancer-associated genes.

Dot blot platform as a novel diagnostic kit: rapid, accurate, and on-site detection of Schistosoma mansoni in urine samples of hard to detect individuals.

Rapid diagnostics provide actionable information for patient care at the time and site of an encounter with the health care system. The mainstay of infectious diseases care is early detection (case finding) and treatment completion, but for many, it is hard to identify positive individuals, as is the case of infection with low burden in schistosomiasis, a parasitic disease common in the tropics and subtropics. We developed a new, accurate, and fast Dot blot methodology (iDot) to indirectly detect Schistosoma mansoni in individuals with very low parasite burden using urine samples.

Fifteen Years of the Australian Imaging, Biomarkers and Lifestyle (AIBL) Study: Progress and Observations from 2,359 Older Adults Spanning the Spectrum from Cognitive Normality to Alzheimer's Disease.

Background: The Australian Imaging, Biomarkers and Lifestyle (AIBL) Study commenced in 2006 as a prospective study of 1,112 individuals (768 cognitively normal (CN), 133 with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and 211 with Alzheimer's disease dementia (AD)) as an 'Inception cohort' who underwent detailed ssessments every 18 months. Over the past decade, an additional 1247 subjects have been added as an 'Enrichment cohort' (as of 10 April 2019).

Objective: Here we provide an overview of these Inception and Enrichment cohorts of more than 8,500 person-years of investigation.

Evaluation of schistosomula crude antigen (SCA) as a diagnostic tool for Schistosoma mansoni in low endemic human population.

The study aimed to determine the potential of schistosomula crude antigen (SCA) as a diagnostic target for anti-S. mansoni antibody detection. Cercariae were transformed into schistosomula, homogenized through sonication, and then centrifuged to obtain the SCA.

Australia in 2030: what is our path to health for all?

CHAPTER 1: HOW AUSTRALIA IMPROVED HEALTH EQUITY THROUGH ACTION ON THE SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH: Do not think that the social determinants of health equity are old hat. In reality, Australia is very far away from addressing the societal level drivers of health inequity. There is little progressive policy that touches on the conditions of daily life that matter for health, and action to redress inequities in power, money and resources is almost non-existent.