Pressure pain threshold of the mastigatory muscles and reaction to touch in adults with down syndrome and neurotypicals: cross-sectional study.

Background: Down Syndrome (DS) is currently the most common chromosomal condition associated with intellectual disability in the global population and is characterized by a variety of additional clinical findings. Individuals with DS may exhibit altered perception and reaction to painful stimuli, which makes the diagnosis of pain in DS a challenge. This study aimed to evaluate the pressure pain threshold of the masticatory muscles and the reaction to social touch in individuals with DS compared to neurotypical individuals (NT).

Larvicidal activity of terpenes and their derivatives against Aedes aegypti: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) is the primary arthropod vector responsible for the transmission of dengue, which is present in more than one hundred countries. The application of synthetic larvicides is one of the most common strategies used for dengue control, but their prolonged use can cause larvicide resistance or tolerance, environmental damage, and have toxic effects on human and animal health. Thus, faced with this problem, there have been increasing efforts to find alternative larvicides against Ae.

Elementary Teacher's Perception of Oral Health Education in a City of the Brazilian Amazon: A Cross-Sectional Study.

This study aimed to evaluate the level of oral health knowledge among teachers in a city of the Brazilian Amazon region (Belem, Pará) and explore the association between teachers' knowledge and their proposed actions in the event of dental trauma accidents within the school environment. The descriptive cross-sectional study involved 170 elementary teachers from public schools in the Metropolitan Region of Belem, Para State, Brazil. A self-administered questionnaire with multiple-choice questions was utilized to assess teachers' oral health knowledge across various domains.

Synthesis of Calcium Phosphate by Microwave Hydrothermal Method: Physicochemical and Morphological Characterization.

Bone loss in the alveolar ridge is a factor widely studied by dentists in implant surgeries, as it poses a major challenge for aesthetic and functional recovery in patients with large maxillary bone defects. Synthetic biomaterials function as grafts designed to replace and remodel bone tissue. Calcium phosphate is a biomaterial that has good properties such as biocompatibility and bioactivity, making it a reference in bone replacement treatments.

Hematological and plasma biochemical profile of two species of freshwater stingrays from the Amazon.

The evaluation of hematological and plasma biochemical parameters and the subsequent establishment of reference intervals facilitate the diagnosis of the health status of animals. This work aimed to determine the blood parameters of wild specimens of the stingrays Potamotrygon motoro and Potamotrygon orbignyi from the lower Solimões River region, Amazonas, Brazil. One hundred forty-one stingrays were captured, 92 specimens of P.

Concordance rate between oligoclonal bands and the Kappa index in patients with suspected multiple sclerosis (MS).

Background:  Oligoclonal bands (OCBs) and Kappa free light chains (FLCs) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) are sensitive markers of intrathecal immunoglobulin (Ig)G synthesis in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Objective:  To evaluate the concordance rate between OCBCs and the Kappa index (KI) in patients with suspected multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods:  Patients with suspected MS were referred to a specialized CSF laboratory as part of their diagnostic investigation.

The protective effects of naringenin, a citrus flavonoid, non-complexed or complexed with hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin against multiorgan damage caused by neonatal endotoxemia.

Background: Endotoxemia is a severe and dangerous clinical syndrome that results in elevated morbidity, especially in intensive care units. Neonates are particularly susceptible to endotoxemia due to their immature immune systems. There are few effective treatments for neonatal endotoxemia.

Evaluation of enterovirus concentration, species identification, and cerebrospinal fluid parameters in patients of different ages with aseptic meningitis in São Paulo, Brazil.

Human enteroviruses (EV) are the most common cause of aseptic meningitis worldwide. Data on EV viral load in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and related epidemiological studies are scarce in Brazil. This study investigated the influence of EV viral load on CSF parameters, as well as identifying the involved species.

Long-term outcomes after endovascular aortic treatment in patients with thoracic aortic diseases.

Background: Endovascular treatments for thoracic aortic diseases have been adopted rapidly, and long-term studies are relevant for durability evaluation.

Objective: To evaluate the long-term results of a prospective observational study of endovascular treatment in patients with thoracic aortic diseases who underwent percutaneous implantation of self-expandable endoprostheses.

Methods: Procedural success was defined as the absence of endoleak into the aneurysm or dissection-induced false lumen, no migration, and no conversion to open surgery.

The effect of type 2 diabetes and diabetic peripheral neuropathy on predictive grip force control.

This study investigated the impact of type 2 diabetes and diabetic peripheral neuropathy on grip force control during object manipulation. The study included three age-matched groups: type 2 diabetes alone (n = 11), type 2 diabetes with neuropathy (n = 13), and healthy controls (n = 12). Grip force control variables derived from lifting and holding an experimental cup were the ratio between grip force and load forces during lifting (GFR), latency 1 and latency 2, which represented the time between the object's grip and its lift-off from the table, and the period between object's lift-off and the grip force peak, respectively; time lag, which denoted the time difference between the grip and load force peaks during the lifting phase, and finally static force, which was the grip force average during the holding phase.

d-Limonene complexed with cyclodextrin attenuates cardiac arrhythmias in an experimental model of doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity: Possible involvement of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase type II.

Background: Arrhythmias are one manifestation of the cardiotoxicity that results from doxorubicin (Doxo) administration. Although cardiotoxicity is an anticipated outcome in anticancer therapies, there is still a lack of treatment options available for its effective management. This study sought to evaluate the possible cardioprotective effect of complex d-limonene (DL) plus hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HβDL) during treatment with Doxo, focusing on the arrhythmic feature.

The effects of flavonoids in experimental sepsis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Sepsis is a host's dysregulated immune response to an infection associated with systemic inflammation and excessive oxidative stress, which can cause multiple organ failure and death. The literature suggests that flavonoids, a broad class of secondary plant metabolites, have numerous biological activities which can be valuable in the treatment of sepsis. This study aimed to review the effects of flavonoids on experimental sepsis, focusing mainly on survival rate, and also summarizing information on its mechanisms of action.

Lyotropic liquid crystal mesophases as transdermal delivery systems for lipophilic drugs: A comparative study.

The present work aimed to evaluate different Liquid Crystal Mesophases (LCM) as transdermal drug delivery systems (TDDS) for nifedipine (NFD), a lipophilic drug model. The formulations composed of water, Citrus sinensis essential oil (CSEO), PPG-5-CETETH-20, and Olive oil ester PEG-7 were obtained and characterized by polarized light microscopy (PLM), rheology, small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS), Fourier transform infrared coupled with an attenuated total reflection accessory (FTIR-ATR) and in vitro assays: bioadhesion, drug release, skin permeation, and retention tests. As a result, changes in component proportions led to several transparent viscous systems with an anisotropic profile.

Change in Rotavirus Vaccine Coverage in Brazil from before (2015-2019) through the COVID-19 Pandemic Period (2020-2021).

During the COVID-19 pandemic, a reduction in vaccination coverage of children and adolescents was observed in several countries. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the pandemic, in the first two years, on human rotavirus vaccine (HRV) coverage in Brazil compared with previous years. The number of doses of HRV administered in the period from January 2015 to December 2021 and its annual vaccination coverage were analyzed.

Spatial Distribution and Temporal Trend of Childhood Tuberculosis in Brazil.

Tuberculosis (TB) in children presents specificities in its diagnosis, which makes it prone to underreporting: therefore, the disease in this group is still a serious public health problem in several countries. We aimed to analyze the spatial distribution and temporal trend of childhood TB in Brazil. An ecological study with time series, spatial analysis, and description of cases in Brazil between 2010-2021 was conducted.

Epidemiology of TB in prisoners: a metanalysis of the prevalence of active and latent TB.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) in prisons usually occurs at higher rates than in the general population, especially in developing countries. TB has been reported as the most common cause of death among prisoners. Studies have shown limitations for early detection of TB in prisons that seem to result from mistaken concepts about TB, delayed diagnosis mainly due to the naturalization of lack of healthcare for this population METHODS: A scoping review was performed using the methodology of the Joanna Briggs Institute to assess "What are the scientific evidences on the epidemiology of TB in the prison system?".

Acquired and Transmitted Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis among the Incarcerated Population and Its Determinants in the State of Paraná-Brazil.

(1) Background: Tuberculosis remains a public health problem in the world. The study analyzed the factors associated with drug-resistant tuberculosis in the prison population of the state of Paraná. (2) Methods: Ecological study of drug-resistant tuberculosis cases registered in the Paraná Information System, Brazil (2008 to 2018).

Trend and Spatial Distribution of Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis in Liberty-Deprived Populations in the State of Paraná, Brazil.

(1) Background: Tuberculosis remains a public health problem in the world. This study evaluated the temporal trends, distribution, and spatial associations of drug-resistant tuberculosis in liberty-deprived populations in the state of Paraná, Brazil. (2) Methods: An ecological study was developed using all cases of drug-resistant tuberculosis in penal establishments reported by the Brazilian Notifiable Diseases Information System between 2008 and 2018.

S-limonene protects the heart in an experimental model of myocardial infarction induced by isoproterenol: Possible involvement of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species.

Background: Myocardial infarction (MI) is associated with high mortality rates, despite the fact that there are therapies available. Importantly, excessive oxidative stress may contribute to ischemia/reperfusion injury leading to death related to MI. In this scenario, naturally occurring antioxidant compounds are an important source of possible therapeutic intervention.

Hesperetin-Based Hydrogels Protect the Skin against UV Radiation-Induced Damage.

UV radiation can cause damages, such as erythema, skin photoaging, and carcinogenesis. The adoption of protective measures against sun exposure is essential to prevent these damages, and the interest in using natural substances as an alternative for photoprotection is growing. Thus, hesperetin with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties is a promising substance to be used with photochemopreventive action and to protect the skin from damage induced by UV radiation.

Risk-prone territories for spreading tuberculosis, temporal trends and their determinants in a high burden city from São Paulo State, Brazil.

Objectives: To identify risk-prone areas for the spread of tuberculosis, analyze spatial variation and temporal trends of the disease in these areas and identify their determinants in a high burden city.

Methods: An ecological study was carried out in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil. The population was composed of pulmonary tuberculosis cases reported in the Tuberculosis Patient Control System between 2006 and 2017.

Reduction of Cardiac Autonomic Modulation and Increased Sympathetic Activity by Heart Rate Variability in Patients With Long COVID.

Although several clinical manifestations of persistent long coronavirus disease (COVID-19) have been documented, their effects on the cardiovascular and autonomic nervous system over the long term remain unclear. Thus, we examined the presence of alterations in cardiac autonomic functioning in individuals with long-term manifestations. The study was conducted from October 2020 to May 2021, and an autonomic assessment was performed to collect heart rate data for the heart rate variability (HRV) analysis.

A systematic review on the effectiveness of perturbation-based balance training in postural control and gait in Parkinson's disease.

Background: Pharmacological and surgical interventions do not improve postural control and gait effectively in people with Parkinson's disease (PD). An innovative and promising therapeutic intervention is perturbation-based balance training (PBT).

Objective: To perform a systematic review to summarise the current evidence for PBT on postural control and gait in people with PD.