Adenosine A receptor as a potential regulator of survival mechanisms: new insights into leprosy neural damage.

Background: Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by , which can lead to a disabling neurodegenerative condition. preferentially infects skin macrophages and Schwann cells-glial cells of the peripheral nervous system. The infection modifies the host cell lipid metabolism, subverting it in favor of the formation of cholesterol-rich lipid droplets (LD) that are essential for bacterial survival.

Changes in splenic tissue and immune response profile of Schistosoma mansoni infected mice submitted to chronic ethanol intake.

In Schistosoma mansoni infection, the spleen is one of the organs affected, causing its enlargement (splenomegaly). Intake of ethanol through alcoholic beverages can cause spleen atrophy and interfere with immune activity. To gain knowledge of this association on the spleen and on the immune response profile, male mice were used as an experimental model.

Reanalysis and validation of the transcriptional pleural fluid signature in pleural tuberculosis.

Introduction: Pleural tuberculosis (PlTB), the most common site of extrapulmonary TB, is characterized by a paucibacillary nature and a compartmentalized inflammatory response in the pleural cavity, both of which make diagnosis and management extremely challenging. Although transcriptional signatures for pulmonary TB have already been described, data obtained by using this approach for extrapulmonary tuberculosis and, specifically, for pleural tuberculosis are scarce and heterogeneous. In the present study, a set of candidate genes previously described in pulmonary TB was evaluated to identify and validate a transcriptional signature in clinical samples from a Brazilian cohort of PlTB patients and those with other exudative causes of pleural effusion.

Associations of hospitalisation - admission, readmission and length to stay - with multimorbidity patterns by age and sex in adults and older adults: the ELSI-Brazil study.

Background: Although the association between multimorbidity (MM) and hospitalisation is known, the different effects of MM patterns by age and sex in this outcome needs to be elucidated. Our study aimed to analyse the association of hospitalisations' variables (occurrence, readmission, length of stay) and patterns of multimorbidity (MM) according to sex and age.

Methods: Data from 8.

High levels of pro-inflammatory SARS-CoV-2-specific biomarkers revealed by in vitro whole blood cytokine release assay (CRA) in recovered and long-COVID-19 patients.

Background: Cytokines induced by SARS-CoV-2 infection play a crucial role in the pathophysiology of COVID-19 and hyperinflammatory responses have been associated with poor clinical outcomes, with progression to severe conditions or long-term subacute complications named as long-COVID-19.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to evaluate a set of antigen-specific inflammatory cytokines in blood from recovered COVID-19 individuals or who suffered a post-acute phase of SARS-CoV-2 infection compared to healthy individuals with no history of COVID-19 exposition or infection. Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), IFN-γ-induced protein 10 (IP-10), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, and IL-17A were quantified by multiplex cytometric bead assay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay after stimulation of whole blood with recombinant Spike protein from SARS-CoV-2.

A Mini-review on Potentials Proteins/Peptides Applied for Serodiagnosis of Human Monkeypox Infection and Future Trends.

Monkeypox is a zoonosis that re-emerged in 2022, generating cases in non-endemic countries for the disease and creating a public health issue. The rapid increase in the number of cases kindles a need for quick, inexpensive diagnostic tests for the epidemiological control of the disease. The high cost of molecular tests can make this control more difficult to access in poorer regions, with immunological tests being a more viable option.

Screening of latent tuberculosis infection among patients with diabetes mellitus from a high-burden area in Brazil.

Although several cohort studies have raised the important association between diabetes mellitus (DM) and latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI), evidences are limited and controversial. Furthermore, it is well documented that the poor glycemic control may exacerbate the risk for active TB. Thus, the monitoring of diabetic patients living in high-incidence areas for TB is an important concern in views of available diagnostic tests for LTBI.

Low doses of 3-phenyl-lawsone or meglumine antimoniate delivery by tattooing route are successful in reducing parasite load in cutaneous lesions of () -infected hamsters.

Current therapeutic ways adopted for the treatment of leishmaniasis are toxic and expensive including parasite resistance is a growing problem. Given this scenario, it is urgent to explore treatment alternatives for leishmaniasis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of 3-phenyl-lawsone (3-PL) naphthoquinone on () infection, both and , using two local routes of administration: subcutaneous (higher dose) and tattoo (lower dose).

Wearable Devices and Smartphone Inertial Sensors for Static Balance Assessment: A Concurrent Validity Study in Young Adult Population.

Falls represent a public health issue around the world and prevention is an important part of the politics of many countries. The standard method of evaluating balance is posturography using a force platform, which has high financial costs. Other instruments, such as portable devices and smartphones, have been evaluated as low-cost alternatives to the screening of balance control.

Association between multimorbidity and hospitalization in older adults: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Multimorbidity is defined as the presence of multiple chronic conditions in the same individual. Multimorbidity is more prevalent in older adults and can lead to several adverse health outcomes.

Methods: We systematically reviewed evidence from observational studies to verify the association between multimorbidity and hospitalization in older adults.

Amazonian Melastomataceae blueberries: Determination of phenolic content, nutritional composition, and antioxidant and anti-glycation activities.

Berries come from hundreds of different species of plants spread around the world. Blackberries, blueberries and raspberries, for instance, are popular berries that have attracted attention for providing several benefits to human health. Wild berries from the Melastomataceae family are commonly encountered in the Amazon, although these small blue fruits are poorly consumed.

Multimorbidity patterns and hospitalisation occurrence in adults and older adults aged 50 years or over.

Multimorbidity is highly prevalent in older adults and can lead to hospitalisation. We investigate the prevalence, associated factors, and multimorbidity pattern associated to hospitalisation, readmission, and length of stay in the population aged 50 years and older. We analysed baseline data (2015-2016) from the ELSI-Brazil cohort, a representative sample of non-institutionalised Brazilians aged ≥ 50 years.

Translation, cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the EPOCH-RRT questionnaire "Empowering Patients On Choices For Renal Replacement Therapy" for the Brazilian context.

Introduction: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global public health problem. In Brazil, the incidence and prevalence rates of dialysis CKD progressively increase, but the transition process is a challenge for patients and caregivers in coping with the disease. Dialysis urgency, lack of planned access or prior knowledge of treatment is a reality for most.

The Type I Interferon Pathway Is Upregulated in the Cutaneous Lesions and Blood of Multibacillary Leprosy Patients With Erythema Nodosum Leprosum.

In leprosy patients, acute inflammatory episodes, known as erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL), are responsible for high morbidity and tissue damage that occur during the course of infection. In a previous study, we showed evidence implicating DNA-sensing TLR9 as an important inflammatory pathway in ENL. A likely important consequence of TLR9 pathway activation is the production of type I interferons (IFN-I) by plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs), also implicated in the pathogenesis of several chronic inflammatory diseases.

Hyporexia and cellular/biochemical characteristics of pleural fluid as predictive variables on a model for pleural tuberculosis diagnosis.

Objectives: Pleural tuberculosis (PlTB) diagnosis is a challenge due to its paucibacillary nature and to the need of invasive procedures. This study aimed to identify easily available variables and build a predictive model for PlTB diagnosis which may allow earlier and affordable alternative strategy to be used in basic health care units.

Methods: An observational cross-sectional study compared PlTB and non-TB patients followed at a tertiary Brazilian hospital between 2010 and 2018.

Risk factors involved in adolescent obesity: an integrative review.

The scope of this study was to examine the risk factors for the development of obesity in adolescence. The objective was to identify risk factors for adolescent obesity by means of an Integrative Review of the Literature. The PICO strategy was used to formulate the following central line of inquiry: What are the risk factors for the development of obesity during adolescence? The VHL and EBSCOhost research databases were consulted, resulting in a selection of 25 articles for in-depth study.

Self-perception of tongue tip constriction in alveolar fricatives produced by young women with and without normal tongue positioning.

Purpose: This study investigated the self-perception of 49 women, monolingual speakers of Brazilian Portuguese, about their tongue position for the alveolar articulation of the fricatives [s] and [z].

Methods: The video recording of speech samples of these 49 women (ages 18 to 28) were analyzed by three Speech-Language Pathologists. They were classified into two groups: Group 1 (G1, n=25), with no alterations in the tongue position during the production of [s] and [z], and Group 2 (G2, n=24), with alterations in the tongue position during the production of [s] and [z].

What is the impact of multimorbidity on the risk of hospitalisation in older adults? A systematic review study protocol.

Introduction: The development of multiple coexisting chronic diseases (multimorbidity) is increasing globally, along with the percentage of older adults affected by it. Multimorbidity is associated with the concomitant use of multiple medications, a greater possibility of adverse effects, and increased risk of hospitalisation. Therefore, this systematic review study protocol aims to analyse the impact of multimorbidity on the occurrence of hospitalisation in older adults and assess whether this impact changes according to factors such as sex, age, institutionalisation and socioeconomic status.

Diagnostic performance of the Xpert MTB/RIF assay in BAL fluid samples from patients under clinical suspicion of pulmonary tuberculosis: a tertiary care experience in a high-tuberculosis-burden area.

Objective: To assess the diagnostic performance of the Xpert MTB/RIF assay, a rapid molecular test for tuberculosis, comparing it with that of AFB staining and culture, in BAL fluid (BALF) samples from patients with clinically suspected pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) who are sputum smear-negative or produce sputum samples of insufficient quantity.

Methods: This was a retrospective study of 140 cases of suspected PTB in patients who were smear-negative or produced insufficient sputum samples and were evaluated at a tertiary teaching hospital in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. All of the patients underwent fiberoptic bronchoscopy with BAL.

Disease activity index is associated with subclinical atherosclerosis in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus.

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular events. The present study determined the prevalence of subclinical atherosclerosis in childhood-onset SLE using the carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) measurement and investigated associations between traditional and nontraditional risk factors for atherosclerosis, such as medications, SLE Disease Activity Index - SLEDAI-2 K and SLICC-ACR damage index and CIMT.

Methods: Cross-sectional prospective study between 2017 and 2018.

Defining prognosis in sarcoidosis.

Sarcoidosis is a multi-systemic granulomatous disease. Affected individuals can show spontaneous healing, develop remission with drug treatment within 2 years, or become chronically ill. Our main goal was to identify features that are related to prognosis.

Cancer inpatients with COVID-19: A report from the Brazilian National Cancer Institute.

Objective: This study aimed to describe the demographic and clinical characteristics of cancer inpatients with COVID-19 exploring clinical outcomes.

Methods: A retrospective search in the electronic medical records of cancer inpatients admitted to the Brazilian National Cancer Institute from April 30, 2020 to May 26, 2020 granted identification of 181 patients with COVID-19 confirmed by RT-PCR.

Results: The mean age was 55.