Lack of Association between Vitamin D Genetic Polymorphism and Virological Characteristics of Hepatitis B Infection.

Background: Exploring polymorphisms in vitamin D-related genes (VDR) within the Brazilian population provides a valuable model to contribute to the influence of the host genetic variants on chronic viral hepatitis B (CHB).

Methods: 126 CHB patients were enrolled in the current study and clinical, laboratory, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OD)D] level data were obtained. Four VDR (rs7975232, rs1544410, rs10735810, rs731236) and 2 vitamin D-binding protein/carrier globulin (GC) polymorphisms (rs4588 and rs7041) were determined using TaqMan assays and nucleotide sequencing.

Novel method to investigate thermal exchange rates in small, terrestrial ectotherms: A proof-of-concept on the gecko Tarentola mauritanica.

Thermoregulating ectotherms may resort to different external heat sources to modulate their body temperature through an array of behavioural and physiological adaptations which modulate heat exchange with the environment and its distribution across the animal's body. Even small-bodied animals are capable of fine control over such rates and the subsequent re-allocation of heat across the body. Such thermal exchanges with the environment usually happen through two non-mutually exclusive modes: heliothermy (radiant heat gain from the sun) or thigmothermy (heat gained or lost via conduction).

Effectiveness of cognitive fusion transrectal ultrasound prostate biopsy when compared with final prostatectomy histology.

Introduction And Objectives: Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in men. Cognitive fusion transrectal ultrasound prostate biopsy is one of several modalities for diagnosing this disease. However, no existing studies have shown the clear superiority of one image-guided technique over another.

"Minho Technique" for Laparoscopic Radical Cystectomy with Intracorporeal Ileal Conduit.

Objective: Radical cystectomy (RC) with ileal conduit (IC) remains a main treatment for muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). Laparoscopy in this multistage surgery is quite demanding, so laparoscopic RC (LRC) with intracorporeal IC (IIC) is a technically exceptional procedure. We aim to simplify it, demonstrating our technique, step-by-step.

HPV Vaccination Coverage in Brazil's State of Paraná: Spatial Distribution and Advances in Public Health.

To analyze the spatial distribution of HPV vaccination coverage in relation to sociodemographic variables in a state of Southern Brazil. This was an ecological, retrospective study with secondary data from the Department of Information Technology of the Unified Health System/Ministry of Health from 2015 to 2022. The cohort method was used to calculate vaccination coverage.

Association of SO-Generating Pads before Packaging and during Cold Storage to Extend the Conservation of 'Italia' Table Grapes.

The SO-generating pads contain different concentrations of sodium metabisulfite, which absorbs water from the grapes' transpiration, releasing SO gas, and there are slow-(SlowSO) and dual (DualSO)-releasing pads (fast release in the first 48 h and slow for up to 60 days). The ultra-fast SO-generating pad (FieldSO) releases the SO quickly for up to 6 h, and it was designed to be used soon after the harvest and until the grapes' packaging. The goal was to study the effect of FieldSO associated with SlowSO and DualSO pads on gray mold incidence and physicochemical and appearance characteristics of 'Italia' table grapes.

Exploring genetic diversity of hepatitis D virus full-length genome in Brazil: Discovery of a novel HDV-8 subgenotype beyond African borders.

Hepatitis D virus (HDV) is currently classified into 8 genotypes (1 to 8) and several subgenotypes, with distinct distribution worldwide. However, due to the scarcity of complete genome sequences in databases, this classification is constantly being updated and tends to be regularly revisited in upcoming years as more sequence data becomes available. Aiming to increase knowledge about the genetic variability of HDV, this study presents the full-length genomes of 11 HDV samples collected in Brazil in endemic and non-endemic regions, including the first complete genomes of the genotypes 5 and 8 obtained outside Africa.

Impact of Lactobacillaceae supplementation on the multi-organ axis during MASLD.

The gut-liver axis plays a pivotal role in maintaining body homeostasis. Disruption of the gut-liver axis is linked to a multitude of diseases, including metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Probiotic strains from the Lactobacillaceae family are commonly used to mitigate experimental MASLD.

High-density and high-coverage composite atrial activation maps: an in-silico validation study.

Objective: Repetitive atrial activation patterns (RAAPs) during complex atrial tachycardia could be associated with localized mechanisms that can be targeted. Clinically available electroanatomical mapping systems are limited by either the spatial coverage or electrode density of the mapping catheters, preventing the adequate visualization of transiently occurring RAAPs. This work proposes a technique to overcome this shortcoming by stitching spatially overlapping conduction patterns together to a larger image- called a composite map.

Reliability of dynamic and isometric upper muscle strength testing in breast cancer survivors.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide, and its treatment usually involves a combination of many medical procedures, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and hormonal therapy. One of the detrimental effects on physical function is reduced upper limb muscle strength. This study aimed to evaluate upper body strength intra-day and inter-day (test-retest) reliability using the handgrip strength test (HGS) and the bilateral isometric bench press (BIBP) and the test-retest reliability of the one repetition maximum on the bench press (BP-1RM) in breast cancer survivors (BCS).

Mortality of Young Women due to Breast Cancer in Low, Middle and High-Income Countries: Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective: To identify the difference in breast cancer mortality rates among young women according to countries' economic classification.

Methods: A systematic literature review included retrospective studies on breast cancer mortality rates in women aged 20 to 49 years. Databases used were PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Virtual Health Library, with articles selected in English, Portuguese, and Spanish.

Exploring the role of environmental enrichment and early life adversity on emotional development.

Early life adversity has been linked with a higher probability of developing behavioral impairments and environmental manipulation is a strategy that may reduce the negative effects of exposure to adversity in early life. Here, we focused on exploring the influence of environmental enrichment (EE) as a protective factor in the context of early life adversity. We hypothesized that 24 hours of maternal deprivation (MD), in the second week of life, could induce anxiety-like behavior alterations and that exposure to EE could induce resilience to these behaviors due to alterations in the serotonergic system.

Cameo and intaglio surface stability and variability of additively, subtractively, and conventionally manufactured occlusal devices after long-term storage.

Statement Of Problem: Additive and subtractive manufacturing have become alternative technologies for fabricating occlusal devices. However, knowledge of the long-term stability of occlusal devices fabricated using these recent technologies is limited.

Purpose: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the cameo and intaglio surface stability and variability of additively, subtractively, and conventionally manufactured occlusal devices after 18 months of storage.

Treatment modalities and outcomes in pediatric Cushing's disease - report of three cases and literature review.

Objectives: Cushing's disease (CD) is a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge, especially in pediatric patients. CD, primarily caused by adrenocorticotropic hormone-secreting pituitary adenomas, manifests typically with growth retardation and weight gain. There are no published guidelines for pediatric patients.

Environmental DNA recovers fish composition turnover of the coral reefs of West Indian Ocean islands.

Islands have been used as model systems to study ecological and evolutionary processes, and they provide an ideal set-up for validating new biodiversity monitoring methods. The application of environmental DNA metabarcoding for monitoring marine biodiversity requires an understanding of the spatial scale of the eDNA signal, which is best tested in island systems. Here, we investigated the variation in Actinopterygii and Elasmobranchii species composition recovered from eDNA metabarcoding along a gradient of distance-to-reef in four of the five French Scattered Islands in the Western Indian Ocean.

Advancing nursing education in Brazil: A systematic literature review of curricular evolution and emerging challenges.

Objective: This study assesses changes and challenges within the nursing curriculum in the Brazilian context, focusing on addressing contemporary professional and societal demands.

Design: A systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted to identify and analyze the changes in Brazil's nursing curricula over time.

Data Sources: Articles published between 1987 and 2023 were selected from Scopus and Web of Science databases for the systematic review.

Plasmablastic Myeloma: An Unusual Cause of Peripheral Facial Paralysis.

Peripheral facial paralysis refers to the involvement of the facial nerve (VII cranial nerve) at any point along its path, which starts from its nucleus, located in the pons, and extends to its most distal branches. The etiology is heterogeneous, including viral infections, bacterial infections, trauma, and neoplasms, among others. However, in the majority of cases, the cause is idiopathic, commonly referred to as Bell's palsy.

Effects of chemotherapy treatment on muscle strength indicators, functional capacity and biopsychosocial aspects of women with breast cancer.

Evidences on the effects of chemotherapy treatment cycles on measures of muscle, mental state, social and cognitive performance are scarce. The objective of this study was to analyze the effects of chemotherapy cycles on muscle strength and activation, functional capacity, quality of life, fatigue and anxiety of women with breast cancer. Therefore, twenty-two women divided into a treatment group (n = 10; 46.