Results of a New Treatment Protocol for Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss Using Betamethasone for Intratympanic Therapy.

 Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is defined as a rapid sensation of hearing impairment in one or both ears. Based on its personal impact on patients, the present study advances the analysis of new treatments for the prompt recognition and management of SSNHL, with higher chances of improvements in terms of hearing recovery and quality of life of the patients.  To describe the intratympanic (IT) corticoid infiltration technique, to demonstrate the efficacy of betamethasone injection as a sequential treatment in patients whose initial systemic steroid treatment failed, as well as to compare its use in different treatment periods.

Construction, monitoring, and efficiency of a biofilter treating a high flow, lean, landfill gas.

The City of Montreal has committed to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. To meet this commitment, the city has adopted the Climate Plan 2020-2030, which includes the treatment of landfill gas (LFG). Within this framework, this research aimed to investigate the efficiency of a biofilter designed to treat high volumes of low-concentration LFG collected from lateral trenches at the Complexe Environnemental de Saint-Michel (CESM) in Montreal.

Exploring the stability and catalytic activity of monoethanolamine functionalized CuO electrode in electrochemical CO reduction.

Electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction reactions (eCORR) have emerged as promising strategies for both mitigating CO emissions and converting them into valuable products. Despite the promise, challenges such as stability, efficiency, and availability of CO on the electrode surface, especially at high current densities, still need to be overcome. Herein, this study explores the precipitation of CuO nanoparticles with monoethanolamine to preserve nitrogen groups on the surface of the material.

Registration with Primary Health Care and COVID-19 mortality: cohort of diabetics from five administrative health regions in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2020-2021.

Objective: The present study carried out an analysis of survival according to the status of registration with Primary Health Care (PHC) and of factors associated with death from COVID-19, in cases residing in Programmatic Area 3.1 (PA3.1) with a diagnosis of diabetes (in the notification form or in the electronic medical record), of the Municipality of Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Brazil, in 2020-2021.

Effect of Ball-Milling on Starch Crystalline Structure, Gelatinization Temperature, and Rheological Properties: Towards Enhanced Utilization in Thermosensitive Systems.

Starch's crystalline structure and gelatinization temperature might facilitate or hinder its use. Ball milling has frequently been mentioned in the literature as a method for reducing starch size and as a more environmentally friendly way to change starch, such as by increasing surface area and reactivity, which has an impact on other starch properties. In this study, starch samples were milled for varying durations (1, 5, 10, 20, and 30 h) and at different starch-to-ball mass ratios (1:6 and 1:20).

Change in the faunal composition of mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) along a heterogeneous landscape gradient in the Brazilian Amazon.

This study aimed to evaluate the influence of different anthropic landscape profiles on the diversity and distribution of mosquito species in a rural settlement of the Brazilian Amazon. Eight field collections were conducted at 18 sampling points interspersed throughout 2020-2021. Plastic containers, bamboo internodes, and tires were used as traps to capture immature mosquitoes in three distinct habitats: forest, forest edge, and peridomicile.

Superabsorbent bacterial cellulose film produced from industrial residue of cashew apple juice processing.

The industrial residue of cashew apple juice processing (MRC) was evaluated as an alternative medium for bacterial cellulose (BC) production by Komagataeibacter xylinus ATCC 53582 and Komagataeibacter xylinus ARS B42. The synthetic Hestrin-Schramm medium (MHS) was used as a control for growing and BC production. First, BC production was assessed after 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 days under static culture.

Development of a phosphorous-based biorefinery process for producing lignocellulosic functional materials from coconut wastes.

This work aimed to develop a phosphorous-based biorefinery process for obtaining phosphorylated lignocellulosic fractions in a one-pot protocol from coconut fiber. Natural coconut fiber (NCF) was mixed with 85 % m/m HPO at 70 °C for 1 h to yield the modified coconut fiber (MCF), aqueous phase (AP), and coconut fiber lignin (CFL). MCF was characterized by its TAPPI, FTIR, SEM, EDX, TGA, WCA, and P content.

Cone-beam computed tomographic evaluation of the root canal anatomy of the lower premolars and molars in a Brazilian sub-population.

Purpose: This study evaluated anatomical variations in the root canals of the lower premolars and molars in a Brazilian sub-population using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).

Materials And Methods: In total, 121 CBCT images of patients were selected from a database. All images contained lower first and second premolars and molars on both sides of the arch, fully developed roots, and no treatment, resorption, or calcifications.

Costs related to obtaining organs for transplantation: A systematic review.

Introduction: The number of transplants in the world is growing, although there is a demand that exceeds supply. It is worth mentioning that the costs for obtaining organs are considered high. However, few studies have been developed on analyzing the costs of obtaining organs and tissues for transplants in order to support the decision-making of managers and health professionals.

[Lipoabdominoplasty in post-bariatric Surgery: a relevant Alternative to Fleur-de-Lis abdominoplasty?].

Background: The number of bariatric procedures, and thus also the number of post-bariatric operations, has increased dramatically in recent years. Although long scars are common in post-bariatric surgery and accepted in favour of body shape reconstruction, we increasingly notice the wish for aesthetically pleasing results in addition to the desire for body contouring. In particular, Fleur-de-Lis abdominoplasty (FdL) is viewed critically by younger patients after massive weight loss due to the visible vertical scar.

Elucidating the adsorption mechanism of Rhodamine B on mesoporous coconut coir-based biosorbents through a non-linear modeling and recycling approach.

The search for renewable adsorbent materials has increased continuously, being the agro-wastes an interesting alternative. This work aimed to elucidate the mechanism of adsorption of Rhodamine B on crude and modified coconut fibers from aqueous systems and the feasibility of reusing the biosorbents. The chemical modification of crude coconut fiber was carried out by the organosolv process.

Clinical and Microbiological Profile of Diabetic Foot Ulcers Infected With in a Regional General Hospital in Bahia, Brazil.

It is necessary to know the resistance profile of to better control diabetic foot ulcer infections, to establish rational antibiotic therapy, and to avoid the development of resistant strains. This cross-sectional study evaluated the clinical parameters, virulence, and antimicrobial resistance profiles of in patients with diabetic foot disease admitted to a public hospital. strains were identified in patients with diabetes with amputation indication.

Improvement of Non-motor Symptoms and Quality of Life After Deep Brain Stimulation for Refractory Dystonia: A 1-Year Follow-Up.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a treatment option for refractory dystonia's motor symptoms, while its non-motor symptoms (NMS) have been less systematically assessed. We aimed to describe the effects of DBS on NMS in refractory generalized inherited/idiopathic dystonia prospectively. We evaluated patients before and 1 year after DBS surgery and applied the following scales: Burke-Fahn-Marsden Rating Scale (BFMRS), NMS Scale for Parkinson's Disease (NMSS-PD), Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire-8, short-form Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), Neuropathic Pain Symptom Inventory (NPSI), and short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ).

COVID-19 diagnosis by RT-qPCR in alternative specimens.

Background: The high demand for adequate material for the gold standard reverse transcription real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR)-based diagnosis imposed by the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, combined with the inherent contamination risks for healthcare workers during nasopharyngeal swab (NP) sample collection and the discomfort it causes patients, brought the need to identify alternative specimens suitable for the diagnosis of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

Objectives: The aim of this work was to compare saliva and gingival fluid swabs to NP swabs as specimens for RT-qPCR-based SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis.

Methods: We compared gingival fluid swabs (n = 158) and saliva (n = 207) to the rayon-tipped NP swabs obtained from mild-symptomatic and asymptomatic subjects as specimens for RT-qPCR for SARS-CoV-2 detection.

Citral modulates virulence factors in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is responsible for high morbidity and mortality rates. Citral has been studied in the pharmaceutical industry and has shown antimicrobial activity. This study aimed to analyze the antimicrobial activity of citral in inhibiting biofilm formation and modulating virulence genes, with the ultimate goal of finding a strategy for treating infections caused by MRSA strains.

Prevalence of methicillin-resistant colonization among healthcare workers at a tertiary care hospital in northeastern Brazil.

Background: is a human pathogen of clinical importance related to a variety of infections.

Aim: The objective of this study was to analyze the molecular and epidemiological characteristics of obtained from healthcare professionals (HCP) of a hospital in southwestern Bahia, Brazil.

Methods: Samples were collected from hands, nasal cavity, and laboratory coats of 80 HCP.

Novel kidney injury biomarkers in a large cohort of children with sickle cell anemia.

The aim of this study was to compare novel kidney injury biomarkers in sickle cell anemia (SCA) children with and without albuminuria or glomerular hyperfiltration. A total of 358 Brazilian children with SCA were studied. Fifteen kidney injury biomarkers in urine were measured.

Presence of trypanosomatids, with emphasis on Leishmania, in Rodentia and Didelphimorphia mammals of a rural settlement in the central Amazon region.

Background: Trypanosomatids are widespread and cause diseases - such as trypanosomiasis, sleeping sickness, Chagas disease, and cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis - in animals and humans. These diseases occur in both rural and urban regions due to unplanned growth and deforestation. Thus, wild and synanthropic reservoir hosts living in residential areas are risk factors.

Association between ACE2 and TMPRSS2 nasopharyngeal expression and COVID-19 respiratory distress.

ACE2 and TMPRSS2 are key players on SARS-CoV-2 entry into host cells. However, it is still unclear whether expression levels of these factors could reflect disease severity. Here, a case-control study was conducted with 213 SARS-CoV-2 positive individuals where cases were defined as COVID-19 patients with respiratory distress requiring oxygen support (N = 38) and controls were those with mild to moderate symptoms of the disease who did not need oxygen therapy along the entire clinical course (N = 175).

Risk Analysis of the Organ Donation-Transplantation Process in Brazil.

Background: Organ transplantation has been for years one of the best treatment options for several medical conditions, and, all over the world, thousands of people need an organ transplant. However, the process through which an organ goes from a brain-dead patient to a new recipient is a complex and delicate one.

Research Questions: This study aims at identifying and assessing the main risks, their impact, and their relevance on the organ donation-transplantation (ODT) process in Brazil.

Diversity of mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) collected in different types of larvitraps in an Amazon rural settlement.

Anthropogenic environments provide favorable conditions for some species, which is especially true of mosquitoes that present eclecticism at the moment of choice for the site of oviposition. In the present study, the diversity of mosquitoes was assessed by providing plastic containers, bamboo internodes, and tires in a forest, the forest edge, and peridomicile environments in a rural settlement area. Eighteen sampling points were chosen, delimited by a buffer of 200 m, placed in three environments: forest, forest edge, and peridomicile.

Evaluation of root resorption following orthodontic intrusion: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background/objective: To quantify the expected amount of orthodontically induced root resorption (OIRR) after orthodontic intrusion and assess the treatment-related factors.

Search Methods And Eligibility Criteria: Six electronic databases and partial grey literature were searched without limitations regarding language or publication year until April 2020. Randomized clinical trials and non-randomized prospective and retrospective studies evaluating root resorption after orthodontic intrusion were included.

Molecular characterization of methicillin-resistant and methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus isolates from human milk samples in Brazil.

Human milk is the best nutrient for infants. The donor human milk is stored in a milk bank before pasteurization. However, the human milk is not sterile and could be colonized with different types of bacteria.

Diversity of biting midges Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), potential vectors of disease, in different environments in an Amazonian rural settlement, Brazil.

Introduction: The Culicoides transmit a variety of pathogens. Our aim was to survey the Culicoides species occurring in an Amazonian rural settlement, comparing abundance, richness, and diversity in different environments.

Methods: Culicoides were captured using CDC light traps.