Publications by authors named "Joao Alves"

The increasing incidence of neurodegenerative and other diseases is considered to involve an excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Water supplies are often characterized by excessive organic waste that is decomposed by bacteria, using dissolved oxygen, leading to oxygen depletion. The potassium content of these waters may also affect negatively the mitochondrial metabolism and cellular ROS formation.

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Purpose: The Brazilian Public Health System (BPHS) serves approximately 71,730 patients with prostate cancer (PC) every year for which androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is the primary treatment for patients with advanced hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (aHSPC). Androgen receptor pathway inhibitors (ARPIs) are not accessible through the BPHS. Using the BPHS as a model, this study assesses the long-term economic effect of surgical versus medical castration in aHSPC treatment to strategize cost reduction and the incorporation of ARPI in developing countries.

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  • An important member of the gut microbiome, the studied strains play a key role in bile acid and steroid metabolism.
  • The genome sequences of nine strains isolated from human feces have been analyzed and reported.
  • The genomes vary in size (3,403,497 to 4,318,168 bp), G+C content (46.5% to 48%), and the number of protein-coding genes (3,386 to 4,137).
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Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have an important role in cellular biology, being involved, in a way that depends on their levels, in cell signaling processes or in oxidative stress, probably associated with neurodegenerative and other diseases. Most of the studies about ROS formation were performed in ischemic conditions, and thus, there is limited knowledge about ROS formation in less severe hypoxic conditions. This study investigates neuronal ROS generation and autofluorescence changes in hypoxic conditions, focusing on the involvement of calcium and zinc.

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  • * The study employed a SEIR model to analyze transmission dynamics and found that MSM with high sexual activity contributed significantly more to mpox spread than those with low sexual activity, but vaccinated individuals were less likely to spread the virus.
  • * Findings suggest that ongoing vaccination efforts, increased awareness in at-risk communities, and regular genomic surveillance are essential for managing future mpox outbreaks and potential threats from new viral clades.
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is a commensal gut bacterium capable of forming the secondary bile acids deoxycholic acid and lithocholic acid from the primary bile acids cholic acid and chenodeoxycholic acid, respectively, as well as converting glucocorticoids to androgens. Historically, only two strains, ATCC 35704 and VPI 12708, have been characterized and to any significant extent. The formation of secondary bile acids is important in maintaining normal gastrointestinal function, in regulating the structure of the gut microbiome, in the etiology of such diseases such as cancers of the GI tract, and in the prevention of infection.

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  • Spinal Arteriovenous Metameric Syndrome is a rare genetic vascular disorder that affects multiple tissues in the spinal region and can lead to serious complications.
  • A 20-year-old man experienced a sudden headache and temporary loss of consciousness, which was found to be linked to subarachnoid hemorrhage shown on imaging scans, with no cerebral abnormalities but significant spinal vascular issues identified.
  • The case highlights the rare connection between spinal vascular malformations and intracranial bleeding, suggesting that the hemorrhage may have been caused by abnormal blood flow from the spinal veins into the brain.
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Introduction And Objectives: Left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LVGLS) is an indicator of myocardial function in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Nevertheless, it is not clear whether LVGLS correlates with filling pressures and cardiac output (CO) in an ambulatory setting. We aimed to assess whether LVGLS is associated with invasive pulmonary artery pressures (PAP) and CO in outpatients using the invasive remote monitoring CardioMEMS™ system.

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Objective: To compare the outcomes of surgical stabilization of pediatric supracondylar humeral fractures with the use of crossed Kirschner wires versus divergent lateral pinning wires.

Methods: This is a systematic review with meta-analysis carried out by searching the MEDLINE/PubMed, Science Direct and Scielo databases. In these, the search for journals was carried out between January and August 2023, where 695 studies were found.

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  • Several clinical trials confirm that dupilumab is effective and safe for treating atopic dermatitis (AD), but there’s limited information on its long-term real-world outcomes.
  • A retrospective study of 312 adult patients in Portugal found a 30-month drug survival rate of 82%, with 12.5% discontinuing treatment mainly due to treatment failure or adverse effects.
  • Significant improvements were observed in skin severity (EASI score), itchiness (NRS), and quality of life (DLQI), showcasing the drug's effectiveness over the follow-up period.
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  • Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) is a sexually transmitted infection that primarily affects the anogenital area but can occasionally manifest in extragenital locations, like the neck.
  • A case study highlights a young man with HIV who experienced painful swelling in his neck, leading to a challenging diagnosis that required various medical tests.
  • The patient's diagnosis of LGV was confirmed via genotyping, and he was effectively treated with doxycycline and surgical drainage, underscoring the need for thorough testing in patients with unexplained neck swelling, especially those with a history of unprotected oral sex.
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Introduction: The effect of kidney transplantation on endothelial dysfunction and autonomic dysfunction in uremia remains controversial, and few studies have evaluated this question. Endothelial dysfunction and autonomic dysfunction, both, be assessed noninvasively using laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF). This study evaluated cutaneous microvascular blood flow and reactivity using LDF in patients undergoing kidney transplantation.

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Efforts to unveil the structure of the local interstellar medium and its recent star-formation history have spanned the past 70 years (refs. ). Recent studies using precise data from space astrometry missions have revealed nearby, newly formed star clusters with connected origins.

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Aiming to compare and update the sand fly fauna of Portão de Pedra site, Sumidouro District, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, and considering the environmental changes occurred, the biology and ecology of the local sandfly species were examined five years later as a complementary study carried. Captures were made in the cave, surroundings of cave and forest of the region, from 6 p.m.

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Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Syagrus coronata, a palm tree found in northeastern Brazil, popularly known as licuri, has socioeconomic importance for the production of vegetable oil rich in fatty acids with nutritional and pharmacological effects. Licuri oil is used in traditional medicine to treat inflammation, wound healing, mycosis, back discomfort, eye irritation, and other conditions.

Aim Of The Study: The study aimed to evaluate the antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic effects of treatment with Syagrus coronata fixed oil (ScFO), as well as to determine the safety of use in mice.

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Wound healing is a complex biological process involving a coordinated sequence of events aimed at restoring tissue integrity and function. Recent advancements in wound care have introduced novel therapies, with topical insulin application emerging as a promising strategy for promoting tissue healing. This study, involving 60 female cats ( = 60) undergoing elective spaying, aimed to evaluate the effects of topical fast-acting insulin on the healing process of surgical wounds.

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Stanozolol shows promise as an anabolic and anti-catabolic agent for treating degenerative joint disease (DJD). This study assessed the clinical efficacy of a single intra-articular stanozolol injection in canine knees with DJD and its correlation with serum IL-1β levels. Thirty dogs (n = 30) were divided into a control group (CG, n = 10) and a study group (SG, n = 20) with DJD.

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  • - The study focused on Generalized Pustular Psoriasis (GPP), a rare and serious skin condition, examining its course, treatment approaches, and how often patients used healthcare services in Portugal from 2002 to 2023.
  • - It assessed 59 adult patients, revealing that most had a history of another psoriasis type and faced significant health issues, with 64% requiring hospitalization and many experiencing severe symptoms such as fever and high white blood cell counts.
  • - Despite treatment, 98% of patients had at least one flare-up, and only a small number showed improvement by the study's end, indicating a need for better understanding and new treatment options to alleviate the disease's impact.
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Objective: The present in vitro study incorporated niobium oxyhydroxide fillers into an experimental high-viscosity bulk-fill resin composite to improve its mechanical performance and provide it a bioactive potential.

Methodology: Scanning electron microscopy synthesized and characterized 0.5% niobium oxyhydroxide fillers, demonstrating a homogeneous morphology that represented a reinforcement for the feature.

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Objective: To describe the effect of different substance combinations administered through mesotherapy in dogs with hip osteoarthritis.

Animals: 104 dogs.

Methods: In this retrospective study, 4 groups (dogs treated with a combination of lidocaine, piroxicam, and thiocolchicoside [MG]; dogs treated with lidocaine, piroxicam, and Traumeel [TG]; dogs treated with lidocaine, piroxicam, and glucosamine [GG]; and dogs treated with the same combination as in MG combined with a photobiomodulation session [MPG]) were set.

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  • * Research focuses on how canine peripheral blood-derived DCs (moDCs) react to different parasites and their extracellular vesicles (EVs), finding that one parasite significantly boosts pro-inflammatory gene expression while another causes a mixed inflammatory response.
  • * The study indicates that EVs from these parasites can enhance moDCs' ability to attract cytotoxic CD8 T cells, suggesting a complex immune interaction that could inform new strategies for treating leishmaniasis.
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Our Sun lies within 300 parsecs of the 2.7-kiloparsecs-long sinusoidal chain of dense gas clouds known as the Radcliffe Wave. The structure's wave-like shape was discovered using three-dimensional dust mapping, but initial kinematic searches for oscillatory motion were inconclusive.

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Purpose: This study assessed medication patterns for inpatients at a central hospital in Portugal and explored their relationships with clinical outcomes in COVID-19 cases.

Methods: A retrospective study analyzed inpatient medication data, coded using the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical classification system, from electronic patient records. It investigated the association between medications and clinical severity outcomes such as ICU admissions, respiratory/circulatory support needs, and hospital discharge status, including mortality (identified by ICD-10-CM/PCS codes).

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