Increased accessibility of computer-based testing for residency application to a hospital in Brazil with item characteristics comparable to paper-based testing: a psychometric study.

Purpose: With the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, online high-stakes exams have become a viable alternative. This study evaluated the feasibility of computer-based testing (CBT) for medical residency applications in Brazil and its impacts on item quality and applicants’ access compared to paper-based testing.

Methods: In 2020, an online CBT was conducted in a Ribeirao Preto Clinical Hospital in Brazil.

A Functional Bread Fermented with UFMG A-905 Prevents Allergic Asthma in Mice.

Background: The administration of probiotics has been shown to be beneficial in asthma. The administration of UFMG A-905 prevented asthma development. Traditionally, probiotics are administered using dairy-based matrices, but other vehicles (e.

The impact and the challenges of implementing a faculty development program on health professions education in a Brazilian Medical School: a case study with mixed methods.

Purpose: Faculty development in health professions education is still challenging in developing countries like Brazil. Work overload and the lack of financial support hinder faculty members' participation. Ribeirão Preto Medical School founded its Center for Faculty Development in 2016.

Antibody response dynamics to CoronaVac vaccine and booster immunization in adults and the elderly: A long-term, longitudinal prospective study.

Background: The long-term humoral immune response after vaccination varies between vaccines and is dependent on the accuracy of the antibody test. A better understanding of the vaccine immune response may help to define vaccination strategies against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Objective: To investigate the long-term immunological response to CoronaVac vaccine and determinants of breakthrough COVID-19 infection.

Palliative care team in a Brazilian tertiary emergency department.

Objectives: To describe the process of implementing a palliative care team (PCT) in a Brazilian public tertiary university hospital and compare this intervention as an active in-hospital search (strategy I) with the Emergency Department (strategy II).

Methods: We described the development of a complex Palliative Care Team (PCT). We evaluated the following primary outcomes: hospital discharge, death (in-hospital and follow-up mortality) or transfer, and performance outcomes-Perception Index (difference in days between hospitalization and the evaluation by the PTC), follow-up index (difference in days between the PTC evaluation and the primary outcome), and the in-hospital stay.

Sepsis expands a CD39 plasmablast population that promotes immunosuppression via adenosine-mediated inhibition of macrophage antimicrobial activity.

Sepsis results in elevated adenosine in circulation. Extracellular adenosine triggers immunosuppressive signaling via the A2a receptor (A2aR). Sepsis survivors develop persistent immunosuppression with increased risk of recurrent infections.

Aqueous extracts from Uncaria tomentosa (Willd. ex Schult.) DC. reduce bronchial hyperresponsiveness and inflammation in a murine model of asthma.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Uncaria tomentosa (Willd. Ex Schult) DC is used by indigenous tribes in the Amazonian region of Central and South America to treat inflammation, allergies and asthma. The therapeutic properties of U.

Exposure to high endotoxin concentration increases wheezing prevalence among laboratory animal workers: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Endotoxin from Gram-negative bacteria are found in different concentrations in dust and on the ground of laboratories dealing with small animals and animal houses.

Methods: Cross-sectional study performed in workplaces of two universities. Dust samples were collected from laboratories and animal facilities housing rats, mice, guinea pigs, rabbits or hamsters and analyzed by the "Limulus amebocyte lysate" (LAL) method.

Evaluation of the endothelial glycocalyx damage in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Background: Endothelial glycocalyx (EG) is sugar-based cell-bound surface molecules linked to transmembrane proteins observed on the endothelial surface of the vessels. Damage to this structure causes an increase in platelet and leucocyte adhesion and shear stress in the vessel. We hypothesized a possible link between EG damage and acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Chloroquine use improves dengue-related symptoms.

Dengue is the most important arboviral disease in the world. As chloroquine, an antimalarial agent, has shown some antiviral effects, this study evaluated its effect in patients with dengue. A randomised, double-blind study was performed by administering chloroquine or placebo for three days to 129 patients with dengue-related symptoms.

Cardiac rhythm disturbances associated with amlodipine acute intoxication.

Amlodipine is a dihydropyridine calcium channel antagonist extensively used for the treatment of arterial hypertension, with predominant effect on the peripheral vascular territory. In most cases of severe intoxication, important hypotension and reflex tachycardia are usually observed. We report a case of young man with severe amlodipine intoxication that developed important bradyarrhythmias, such as low atrial rhythm, prolonged PR interval, atrioventricular block, and left bundle branch block.

Impact of implementing an exclusively dedicated respiratory isolation room in a Brazilian tertiary emergency department.

Background: Occupational risk due to airborne disease challenges healthcare institutions. Environmental measures are effective but their cost-effectiveness is still debatable and most of the capacity planning is based on occupational rates. Better indices to plan and evaluate capacity are needed.

Development and validation of an asthma knowledge questionnaire for use in Brazil.

Objective: To develop and validate an asthma knowledge questionnaire for use in adult asthma patients in Brazil.

Methods: A 34-item self-report questionnaire was constructed and administered to adult asthma patients and adult controls. The maximum total score was 34.

Knowledge of and technique for using inhalation devices among asthma patients and COPD patients.

Objective: To evaluate knowledge of and techniques for using prescribed inhalation devices among patients with asthma or COPD treated at a tertiary teaching hospital.

Methods: Patients were assessed after medical visits, and their physicians were blinded to this fact. Patients were asked to demonstrate their inhaler technique and were then interviewed regarding their knowledge of inhalation devices, control of the disease and instructions received during medical visits.

Advantages and pitfalls of the polymerase chain reaction in the diagnosis of esophageal ulcers in AIDS patients.

HIV-1-infected patients frequently have opportunistic esophageal infections which, when associated with severe immunodeficiency, can be attributed to unusual pathogens. The clinical presentation of several esophageal diseases is similar and the best method for a specific diagnosis of these patients has not been well defined. To evaluate the role of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the etiologic definition of esophageal ulcers in HIV-1-infected patients, 96 esophageal biopsies from 79 HIV-1-infected patients were processed by PCR using specific primers for cytomegalovirus (CMV), herpes virus (HSV), human papilloma virus (HPV), HIV-1, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mycobacterium avium, Mycobacterium intracellulare, Treponema pallidum, and Haemophilus ducreyi.