Comprehensive statistical analysis reveals significant benefits of COVID-19 vaccination in hospitalized patients: propensity score, covariate adjustment, and feature importance by permutation.

Background: COVID-19 vaccines effectively prevent infection and hospitalization. However, few population-based studies have compared the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients hospitalized for COVID-19 using advanced statistical methods. Our objective is to address this evidence gap by comparing vaccinated and unvaccinated patients hospitalized for COVID-19.

Gut-related molecules as potential biomarkers in patients with decompensated cirrhosis.

Introduction And Objectives: Microbial translocation contributes to cirrhosis progression and complications. This study aims to investigate whether molecules related to intestinal permeability or microbial translocation can serve as prognostic biomarkers in patients with decompensated cirrhosis.

Materials And Methods: We prospectively evaluated hospitalized patients with decompensated cirrhosis for liver function, complications during hospitalization, in-hospital mortality, composite outcomes of in-hospital mortality and complications, 12-month mortality, and survival rates.

The hidden severity of the COVID-19 pandemic in children and adolescents in Brazil: a territorial analysis of hospital mortality.

This article aims to describe the geographical distribution of hospital mortality from COVID-19 in children and adolescents during the 2020-2021 pandemic in Brazil. Ecological, census study (SIVEP GRIPE) with individuals up to 19 years of age, hospitalized with SARS due to COVID-19 or SARS not specified in Brazilian municipalities, stratified in two ways: 1) in the five macro-regions and 2) in three urban agglomerations: capital, municipalities of the metropolitan region and non-capital municipalities. There were 44 hospitalizations/100,000 inhabitants due to COVID-19 and 241/100,000 when including unspecified SARS (estimated underreporting of 81.

Patients hospitalized with active tuberculosis and Covid-19 coinfection: A matched case-control from the Brazilian Covid-19 Registry.

Although control of Covid-19 has improved, the virus continues to cause infections, such as tuberculosis, that is still endemic in many countries, representing a scenario of coinfection. To compare Covid-19 clinical manifestations and outcomes between patients with active tuberculosis infection and matched controls. This is a matched case-control study based on data from the Brazilian Covid-19 Registry, in hospitalized patients aged 18 or over with laboratory confirmed Covid-19 from March 1, 2020, to March 31, 2022.

Serum Anti-Spike Antibodies Are Not Affected by Immunosuppressants in SARS-CoV-2 Vaccinations Given to Brazilian Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

This study aimed to evaluate humoral responses after vaccination against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Patients with IBD enrolled in a tertiary outpatient unit were followed up between September 2021 and September 2022 via serial blood collection. Immunoglobulin G antibody titers against SARS-CoV-2 were measured before administration and 1 and 6 months after the administration of two doses of different vaccination regimens.

Hospital mortality from covid-19 in children and adolescents in Brazil in 2020-2021.

Objective: To describe cases, deaths, and hospital mortality from covid-19 in children and adolescents in Brazil, according to age group, during the evolving phases of the pandemic in 2020 and 2021.

Methods: Census of patients aged up to 19 committed with severe acute respiratory syndrome, due to covid-19 or unspecified, notified to the Brazilian Influenza Epidemiological Surveillance Information System, from January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2021. The two years were divided into six phases, covering the spread of the disease-first, second and third wave-as well as the impact of vaccination.

Differential Proteomic Analysis of Human Sperm: A Systematic Review to Identify Candidate Targets to Monitor Sperm Quality.

Purpose: The advent of proteomics provides new opportunities to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying male infertility. The selection of relevant targets based on a single analysis is not always feasible, due to the growing number of proteomic studies with conflicting results. Thus, this study aimed to systematically review investigations comparing the sperm proteome of normozoospermic and infertile men to define a panel of proteins with the potential to be used to evaluate sperm quality.

Incidence of retinoblastoma in children and adolescents in Brazil: A population-based study.

Objective: To estimate the incidence of retinoblastoma in children and adolescents in Brazil based on Population-Based Cancer Registry (PBCR), describing temporal trends and some quality indicators of this registry.

Methods: Based on secondary data from the PBCR of the National Institute of Cancer (INCA) (2000-2018), by selecting the morphological code of retinoblastoma, the annual incidences per million (0-19 years of age) in each local PBCR were estimated by sex and age group, global combined and by region, in addition to the percentage of diagnosis only by death certificate (DC) or not informed (NI), and the male/female ratio (M/F). An annual incidence trend in the five Brazilian geographic regions was also analyzed using the inflection point regression technique.

[Economic crisis and disparities in spending, supply, and use of public and private health services in Brazil from 2011 to 2019].

This study sought to analyze the repercussions of the economic crisis on the public and private sectors of the Brazilian health system and perform a trend analysis of economic and care indicators, based on secondary data from official public sources related to spending, the economic performance of health plans and insurance, and the supply and use of services. The results showed stagnation of public spending on health, as well as reduction of per capita public spending and of access to public health services. On the contrary, in a context of falling income and employment, health plans retained customers, increased revenues, profits, and their care production.

Antibiotic Consumption and Deviation of Prescribed Daily Dose From the Defined Daily Dose in Critical Care Patients: A Point-Prevalence Study.

The consumption of antibiotics is one of the metrics used to evaluate the impact of antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASP). The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of antibiotic consumption in Brazilian intensive care units (ICUs) and estimate the deviation of the prescribed daily dose (PDD) from the defined daily dose (DDD). This is a multicenter, observational, point-prevalence study carried out in adult ICUs of 8 Brazilian hospitals from August 2019, to February 2020.

Sustainable and Active Program-Development and Application of SAVING Methodology.

The SAVING project aimed to create a sustainable and active aging program to promote the transition to sustainable aging in residential structures for the elderly (RSEs), developing research activities to apply the best strategies and good practices regarding the promotion of an active, healthy, and sustainable aging regarding social, economic, environmental, and pedagogic aspects. All this innovative methodology was built on a living-lab approach applied in one RSE, that was used as a case study. The results showed that the creation of the SAVING Brigade allowed not only increased reflection and mutual learning, but also created better conditions to face uncertainties and obstacles.

Hospitalization and surgery rates in patients with inflammatory bowel disease in Brazil: a time-trend analysis.

Background: The prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is increasing globally, and the disease is frequently managed surgically. The aim of this study was to investigate the time trends and geographic distribution of IBD hospitalizations, surgeries and surgical-associated lethality.

Methods: Data from the Brazilian Health Public System were retrospectively collected regarding hospitalizations, in-hospital deaths, IBD-related surgical procedures and lethality from 2005 to 2015.

Pediatric multisystem SARS COV2 with versus without cardiac involvement: a multicenter study from Latin America.

Latin America (LATAM) children offer special insight into Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS COV2) due to high-risk race/ethnicity, variability in medical resources, diverse socioeconomic background, and numerous involved organ systems. This multinational study of LATAM youth examined the distinguishing features of acute or late multisystem SARS COV2 with versus without cardiac involvement. A consecutive sample of youth 0-18 years old (N = 98;50% male) presenting with multisystem SARS COV2 to 32 centers in 10 Latin American countries participating in a pediatric cardiac multi-imaging society were grouped as with versus without cardiac involvement, defined as abnormal echocardiographic findings or arrhythmia.

Prevalence, Indirect Costs, and Risk Factors for Work Disability in Patients with Crohn's Disease at a Tertiary Care Center in Rio de Janeiro.

Background And Aims: Crohn's disease (CD) can lead to work disability with social and economic impacts worldwide. In Brazil, where its prevalence is increasing, we assessed the indirect costs, prevalence, and risk factors for work disability in the state of Rio de Janeiro and in a tertiary care referral center of the state.

Methods: Data were retrieved from the database of the Single System of Social Security Benefits Information, with a cross-check for aid pension and disability retirement.

Association of dyslipidemia, hypertension and overweight/obesity with work shift and duration of employment among police officers in a small town in Northeastern Brazil.

Background: Metabolic syndrome and chronic diseases have impact on the job performance of police officers.

Objective: To investigate the association of overweight/obesity and cardiovascular risk factors with work shift and duration of employment among police officers.

Methods: Cross-sectional study with 102 police officers in Cajazeiras, Paraíba, Brazil, in which we analyzed sociodemographic data, occupational characteristics, body mass index (BMI), lipid profile, personal history of disease and lifestyle.

Allogenic Adipose Tissue-Derived Stromal/Stem Cells and Vitamin D Supplementation in Patients With Recent-Onset Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: A 3-Month Follow-Up Pilot Study.

To evaluate the short term safety and potential therapeutic effect of allogenic adipose tissue-derived stromal/stem cells (ASCs) + cholecalciferol in patients with recent-onset T1D. Prospective, phase II, open trial, pilot study in which patients with recent onset T1D received ASCs (1 × 10 cells/kg) and cholecalciferol 2000 UI/day for 3 months (group 1) and were compared to controls with standard insulin therapy (group 2). Adverse events, C-peptide (CP), insulin dose, HbA1c, time in range (TIR), glucose variability (continuous glucose monitoring) and frequency of CD4FoxP3+ T-cells (flow cytometry) were evaluated at baseline (T0) and after 3 months (T3).

Subdiagnosis, but not presence of vestibular symptoms, predicts balance impairment in migraine patients - a cross sectional study.

Background: Vestibular symptoms and balance changes are common in patients with migraine, especially in the ones with aura and chronic migraine. However, it is not known if the balance changes are determined by the presence of vestibular symptoms or migraine subdiagnosis. Therefore, the aim of this study was to verify if the migraine subdiagnosis and/or the presence of vestibular symptoms can predict balance dysfunction in migraineurs.

Comparison of glucose measurement on dried blood spots versus plasma samples in pregnant women with and without anemia.

Objective Compare the concordance degree between plasma glucose and glucose measurements on Dried Blood Spots (DBS) during pregnancy. Subjects and methods Glucose measurement was performed in pregnant women after a fast of 8-12 hours. Venous blood was collected with sodium fluoride, the plasma was separated, and glucose measured by the enzymatic oxidase glucose method.

The influence of the Family Health Strategy on hypertensive adults in health care use in Brazil.

Introduction: Systemic arterial hypertension (SAH) has a high prevalence in Brazil and impacts on the use of health services.

Objective: This study verified the influence of the Family Health Strategy (FHS) on the use of health services by adults ≥ 18 years old who reported SAH in the National Health Survey (Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde - PNS) 2013.

Methods: The Propensity Score (PS) method was used to correct the lack of homogeneity between the groups with SAH under exposed or not to the FHS.

Prevalence of corrected arterial hypertension based on the self-reported prevalence estimated by the Brazilian National Health Survey.

The objective was to correct the self-reported prevalence of systemic arterial hypertension (SAH) obtained from the Brazilian National Health Survey (PNS 2013). SAH prevalence estimates were corrected by means of sensitivity/specificity of information. Sensitivity and specificity values from a similar study (same self-report question, age range and gold standard) were used to this end.

[Private health plans and the health of workers in Brazil].

The scope of this paper was to compare the changes in coverage patterns by health insurance plans among public servants, the military and other employees in Brazil and verify if the purchase of such health plans is reflected in the respective self-reported prevalence of Systemic Arterial Hypertension (SAH) and Diabetes Mellitus (DM) in the country. For this purpose, workers in the public sector (federal, state, municipal or military) and other workers aged ≥18 who were included in the 1998, 2003 and 2008 campaigns of the National Household Sample Survey (PNAD) and in the 2013 National Survey were studied. Over the years of the study, it was observed that Brazil's public service employees, both civilian and military, have presented a high and increasing proportion of health insurance purchase compared to other workers.