Through the eyes of the participant: using photovoice to understand the experiences and effects of ivermectin MDA in the context of the BOHEMIA clinical trial in Kwale, Kenya.

Background: Assessing the acceptability of new malaria control interventions in clinical trials can be complex due to the need for strict ethical standards and specific trial procedures. While in-depth interviews and focus group discussions can provide useful insights, a more participatory method of data collection which complements these methods is photovoice. Photovoice offers a unique approach, empowering participants to share their experiences and perceptions on their own terms.

Postoperative endophthalmitis treatment with antibiotics associated or not with pars plana vitrectomy: a randomized clinical trial.

Background: Postoperative endophthalmitis (PSE) is a severe ocular complication that can lead to irreversible vision loss or even globe atrophy. The Endophthalmitis Vitrectomy Study (EVS) historically guided PSE management but is increasingly questioned due to advances in pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) techniques and its narrow focus on cataract surgery. This study aimed to compare PPV followed by intravitreal antibiotic injection at the end of surgery (PPV + IVAIES) with intravitreal antibiotic injection alone (IVAI) in managing PSE.

Role of Amine and/or Tin-Containing Dentifrices on Tooth Discoloration and Surface Properties.

Objective: This study evaluated the impact of dentifrices containing amine fluoride (AmF) and/or tin on tooth discoloration and surface roughness under cycles of staining and abrasion.

Materials And Methods: Specimens of enamel (n = 10) and dentin (n = 19) were allocated into six groups: (1) Negative control (Distilled water), (2) NaF (regular fluoridated dentifrice without amine and tin), (3) AmF, (4) AmF/NaF/SnCl, (5) SnF/SnCl, and (6) SnF. Daily staining-toothbrushing cycling was performed: staining solution (30 min), toothbrushing (45 strokes), and human saliva (1 h), 2×/day, for 21 days.

Molecular survey of Hepatozoon spp. and piroplasmids in rodents and marsupials from midwestern Brazil, with evidence of a novel Piroplasmida clade ("South American Rodentia") in the echimyid rodent Thrichomys pachyurus.

The order Piroplasmida (e.g., Babesia, Theileria, Cytauxzoon, and Rangelia) and suborder Adelorina (e.

Cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, and nitric oxide as determinants of resting heart rate variability in non-hospitalized mild post-COVID individuals: a cross-sectional study.

Background: The association between plasma lipids, nitric oxide (NO) and cardiovascular risk has been well documented in the literature, however, the association between these outcomes and heart rate variability (HRV) in COVID-19 remains incipient as there is no scientific evidence that has investigated this outcome.

Objective: Investigate whether metabolic outcomes may be associated with cardiac autonomic behavior arising from short-term HRV variables in non-hospitalized mild post-COVID individuals.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study.

Diagnosis of Mycobacterium leprae in free-living animals in a hyperendemic area in Brazil.

Mycobacterium leprae (M. leprae) is a globally distributed intracellular pathogen that causes human leprosy. For many years, M.

Fibroin-Hybrid Systems: Current Advances in Biomedical Applications.

Fibroin, a protein extracted from silk, offers advantageous properties such as non-immunogenicity, biocompatibility, and ease of surface modification, which have been widely utilized for a variety of biomedical applications. However, in vivo studies have revealed critical challenges, including rapid enzymatic degradation and limited stability. To widen the scope of this natural biomacromolecule, the grafting of polymers onto the protein surface has been advanced as a platform to enhance protein stability and develop smart conjugates.

Analysis of choroidal markers of activity in pachychoroid disease spectrum.

Purpose: To detect choroidal markers of disease activity in eyes with chronic active unilateral pachychoroid disease spectrum (PDS) compared to the non-active contralateral eyes, based on multimodal imaging and particularly indocyanine green angiography (ICGA).

Methods: An observational retrospective case-control study. The study evaluated individuals diagnosed with chronic active unilateral PDS (group 1) by comparing the eyes with the non-active fellow eyes (group 2).

Effect of zinc level and the thermal environment on the zootechnical performance and tibia-breaking strength of Japanese quails.

Japanese quails () are sensitive to zinc (Zn) deficiency, a mineral essential for growth, development, and bone health. This study evaluated the effects of different levels of Zn in the diet on zootechnical performance, organ and carcass weight, and tibial breakage resistance in quails from 1 to 42 days of age. A 5 × 2 factorial design was used, consisting of five Zn levels (30, 60, 90, 120, and 150 mg/kg) and two thermal environments (thermal comfort and heat stress), with five replicates of 10 birds per treatment.

Deep mantle earthquakes linked to CO degassing at the mid-Atlantic ridge.

Volatiles (CO, HO) play a fundamental role in mantle melting beneath ocean spreading centers, but what role they play during the melt migration remains unknown. Using seismological data recorded by ocean-bottom seismometers, here we report the presence of deep earthquakes at 10-20 km depth in the mantle along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge axis, much below the brittle-ductile boundary. Syntheses of regional basaltic rock samples and their geochemical analyses indicate the presence of an abnormally high quantity of CO (~0.

Nutritional Value of for Weaner Piglets.

This study evaluates the nutritional value of spray-dried biomass to infer its applicability for weaner piglet feeding. Twenty-four piglets were randomly allocated to four dietary treatments ( = 6) with increasing inclusion (0, 5, 10, and 15%) levels. After a 4-day adaptation period, the digestibility experiment lasted two weeks, with daily excreta collection.

Combining digital imaging and quantum dots for analytical purposes.

This review provides a critical assessment of the most recent advances in digital imaging (DI) methods, applied for the development of analytical methodologies combining quantum dots (QDs). The state-of-the-art, treatment of data, instrumental considerations, software, sensing approaches, and optimization of the resulting methods are reported. Applications of the technology for the analysis of food and beverages, biomedically relevant analytes, drugs, environmental samples and forensic samples are also discussed.

Adjuvant Immunotherapy in High-Risk Muscle-Invasive Urothelial Cancer: An Updated Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Introduction: Neoadjuvant cisplatin-based chemotherapy followed by radical surgery is the standard treatment for muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma (MIUC). The Checkmate-274 and AMBASSADOR trials have demonstrated improvements in disease-free survival (DFS) with adjuvant immunotherapy. Consequently, this meta-analysis aimed to assess the effectiveness of strategies involving checkpoint inhibitors in managing high-risk MIUC.

How does the adoption of nutritional plans influence the performance of meat quail during the growth phase in hot environments?

The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of different nutritional plans on meat quails subjected to heat stress. A total of 324 quails male European quails () were used, with an average initial weight of 121.48 g ± 3.

Structural validity of the Brazilian version of the quality care questionnaire-palliative care for use in individuals with diabetes mellitus eligible for palliative care.

Background: The Brazilian version of the Quality Care Questionnaire-Palliative Care (QCQ-PC) is an instrument designed to assess the quality of care provided in palliative care from the user's perspective, featuring easy comprehension and applicability. It has demonstrated validity for use in individuals with cancer, but there is a need for validation in other populations due to the scarcity of instruments with this purpose.

Objective: To structurally validate the Brazilian version of the QCQ-PC for use in individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM) eligible for palliative care.

Advances in Shared Decision Making in Brazil: The role of patient autonomy in curriculum reform, health system and clinical care.

Clinical practice in Brazil has rapidly transformed. Doctor-patient relationships are the focus of these transformations, either within health policies or in the context of medical training. The Brazilian Curriculum Guidelines have emphasized the doctor-patient relationship as part of medical skills and competences, based on patient-centered care.

Therapeutic Efficacy and Safety of Paracetamol versus Ibuprofen in Patent Ductus Arteriosus in Newborns: A Systematic Review.

Closure of the ductus arteriosus (DA) using cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors is considered the first-line treatment for hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). Physiologically, prostaglandins have a recognized role in PDA. Admittedly, the comparative efficacy and safety between ibuprofen and acetaminophen need to be determined for rational choice of drug therapy for closure of the DA in clinical protocols.

Exploring the combined toxicity of boron nitride nanosheets, cadmium and natural organic matter on Daphnia magna.

The increase in anthropogenic activities has led to the release of numerous chemicals and pollutants into aquatic ecosystems, raising significant concerns for water quality and health. Among the emerging issues is the interaction between pollutants and nanomaterials (mixture effects). In this work, it was studied the combined toxicity of boron nitride nanosheets (BNNS) and cadmium (Cd) incorporating the influence of natural organic matter (NOM) to enhance ecological relevance for the first time.

Effects of atrazine, diuron and glyphosate mixtures on zebrafish embryos: acute toxicity and oxidative stress responses.

Synthetic pesticides are known for their toxic effects on non-target aquatic organisms. However, little is known about their effects when present in mixtures, which are closer to realistic exposure scenarios. Therefore, this study evaluates the toxicity of pesticides such as diuron, atrazine and glyphosate, individually and in combination, in zebrafish embryos, investigating their mechanisms of oxidative stress.

Assessing functional properties of diet protein hydrolysate and oil from fish waste on canine immune parameters, cardiac biomarkers, and fecal microbiota.

Locally produced fish hydrolysate and oil from the agrifood sector comprises a sustainable solution both to the problem of fish waste disposal and to the petfood sector with potential benefits for the animal's health. This study evaluated the effects of the dietary replacement of mainly imported shrimp hydrolysate (5%) and salmon oil (3%; control diet) with locally produced fish hydrolysate (5%) and oil (3.2%) obtained from fish waste (experimental diet) on systemic inflammation markers, adipokines levels, cardiac function and fecal microbiota of adult dogs.

A Bullous Variant of Central Serous Chorioretinopathy Treated With Sclerotomy.

Bullous serous central chorioretinopathy (bCSCR) is an atypical form of CSCR characterized by large serous detachment. This variant presents significant diagnostic challenges, and optimal treatment strategies are not well defined. This report presents a case of a 31-year-old man with bCSRC treated with scleral thinning surgery in four quadrants with scleral windows created in the two inferior quadrants.

Valorization of Strawberry Tree Berries and Beeswax from Montesinho Natural Park for Cosmetic Industry-A Case Study Formulation.

Consumers are increasingly concerned about cosmetic ingredients' origin, looking more than ever to sustainable and greener formulations. The Natural Park of Montesinho, located in Portugal, is characterized by an enormous fauna and flora diversity. Among them, beeswax and strawberry trees () have attracted the cosmetic researchers' interest due to their bioactive compounds' richness, particularly fatty acids and phenolic compounds.