Single-nucleotide polymorphisms in genes associated with the vitamin D pathway related to clinical and therapeutic outcomes of American tegumentary leishmaniasis.

Background: The vitamin D pathway contributes to the microbicidal activity of macrophages against infection. In addition to induction of this pathway, interferon-gamma (IFNγ), interleukin (IL)-15, and IL32γ are part of a network of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The aim of this study was to evaluate single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the components of the vitamin D pathway and associated cytokine genes that could be related to resistance or susceptibility to American tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL).

Effect of ozone oil and non-surgical periodontal treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes. In-vivo and in-vitro studies with fibroblasts and Candida albicans.

Aim: To evaluate the clinical effectiveness of ozonated sunflower oil (Oz) as an adjunctive of non-surgical periodontal therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2), on fibroblast cell viability and migration and the effectiveness of Oz on a Candida albicans (C. albicans) culture.

Methodology: In total, 32 sites in 16 DM2 with moderate to advanced periodontal disease with periodontal pocket depths ≥5mm were selected.

The effectiveness of non-exposure to incarceration in preventing COVID-19 and mitigating associated events: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: For a long time, the penalty of imprisonment has been studied and criticized as ineffective in achieving the goals of resocialization and rehabilitation of offenders, and studies have associated incarceration with increased prevalence of disease. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Health Organization recommended decarceration as a prevention measure. The aim of this review was to analyze the effectiveness of non-exposure to incarceration in preventing COVID-19 and mitigating associated events.

Muscular Performance of the Elbow Flexor and Extensor Muscles in Children With Myopathies: A Case-Control Study.

Background And Purpose: Children with myopathies often experience muscle weakness in their lower limbs. However, the upper limbs are also affected and, at the same time, play a key role in daily living activities as well as in transfers and assisted mobility using auxiliary devices. The objective was to assess the performance of the elbow flexor and extensor muscles through static and dynamic contractions in children with myopathies and in their typical peers.

Techno-functionality of jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis) protein concentrate: a comparative study with soy and pea proteins.

Background: With the growing human awareness of the environmental and animal stress caused by the meat industry, the consumption of plant-based products has expanded. Plant proteins have gained market prominence due to their sustainable origin, economic value and health benefits. Well-established plant proteins in the market, such as those of soy and pea, have various applications as ingredients in the food industry.

Association Between Inappropriate Prescribing According to the 2023 Beers Criteria and Different Health Outcomes: A 1-Year Longitudinal Study in Community-Dwelling Older Adults.

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the association between the 2023 Beers criteria for inappropriate prescribing and different health outcomes among community-dwelling older individuals after a 1-year follow-up period and to assess the use and factors associated with inappropriate prescribing.

Methods: This longitudinal population study spanning from 2017 to 2018 included 490 community-dwelling older adults (≥60 years old) receiving care from family medicine teams in the city of São João del-Rei, Brazil. The 2023 Beers criteria was used to identify potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs).

Serotype-Specific Dengue Virus IgG Assay Using EDIII-Based Recombinant Proteins and Its Application in an Endemic Population in Northeast Brazil.

Dengue is the most prevalent arboviral disease globally, with Brazil currently experiencing a significant rise in cases. Dengue virus (DENV) typically co-circulates with other clinically and antigenically similar flaviviruses, such as Zika virus (ZIKV). The clinical diagnosis is difficult and accurate serological analysis represents an unmet challenge.

Exploring wide gap semiconductor characteristics in -pinene crystals: insights from density functional theory.

Context: -Pinene, a bicyclic monoterpene found extensively in the essential oils of conifers, has shown potential in pharmacological applications. This study theoretically investigates the structural and electronic properties of the (1S)- - -pinene crystal, focusing on its potential for nanoelectronic applications due to the observed wide band gap. Structural analysis revealed that the crystal's unit cell contains 104 atoms with orthorhombic symmetry, and its lattice parameters show excellent agreement with experimental data.

Acid gelation of high-concentrated casein micelles and pea proteins mixed systems.

The increased demand for plant-based products brings a new challenge to the food industry. Especially, proteins from soy, chickpea, and pea are being highly demanded as food ingredients. However, they still present some drawbacks such as poor techno-functional properties and remarkable beany flavor that hamper their wider application.

Multimodal imaging in retinitis pigmentosa related to the EYS gene.

Purpose: This study aimed to characterize retinitis pigmentosa associated with the eyes shut homolog gene, which causes hereditary retinal degeneration.

Methods: The anatomical and functional findings of retinitis pigmentosa in patients with variants of the eyes shut homolog gene were characterized and compared using multimodal imaging and genetic analysis of the variants. Clinical data such as visual acuity, lens status, and refraction were obtained from medical records.

Comparative Analysis of Acute-Phase Protein Profiles in Cats Undergoing Ovariectomy: Laparoscopic vs. Conventional Surgery in Short Time After Procedure.

Acute-phase proteins (APPs) are biomarkers of systemic inflammation, which allow monitoring the response to surgery and post-operative complications. Ovariectomy (OVE) can be a useful model to evaluate surgical trauma and inflammation in feline species. The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the acute-phase response (APR) after applying two different OVE techniques by measuring serum levels of serum amyloid A (SAA), haptoglobin (Hp), total serum proteins (TSPs), albumin (ALB), and paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) during the first 48 h post-surgery (hospital stay).

Evolutionary Links Between Skull Shape and Body Size Suggest Allometric Forces and Selection at Work in a Generalist Group of Lizards.

The vertebrate skull is a complex structure, and studies of skull shape have yielded considerable insight into the evolutionary forces shaping specialized phenotypes in organisms as diverse as bats, frogs, and fossorial animals. Here, we used phylogenetic comparative analyses of CT scans of male skulls from 57 species of lizards to explore patterns of skull evolution in a group of generalist taxa. We found that most interspecific variation is in terms of skull elongation such that some species have long, narrow skulls, whereas others exhibit more compact and robust skulls.

Paracoccidioidomycosis presenting as a cecal lesion mimicking cholangiocarcinoma: a case report of unusual intestinal manifestation.

Paracoccidioidomycosis, the most important systemic mycosis in Latin America, is closely linked to rural activities. In Brazil, it is an endemic disease, with an estimated 4,000 to 6,000 annual cases, accounting for over 80% of the global diagnoses. We present an intriguing case of this disease with an intestinal manifestation in a 71-year-old woman.

Chemokine profile in the serum of patients with leptospirosis.

Introduction: Leptospirosis is a global zoonosis that affects more than one million people per year, with a lethality rate of approximately 15%. Chemokines are crucial in the immune response against , recruiting leukocytes to the site of infection and regulating immune activity. In previous studies, we have shown that CCL2, CXCL5, and CCL8 are involved in the leptospirosis process, although the mechanisms are not understood.

Impedimetric immunosensor versus qPCR for Huanglongbing detection.

Citriculture is facing challenges due to the spread of various diseases, among which the most threatening, with worldwide occurrence, is Huanglongbing (HLB), caused by the bacteria Candidatus Liberibacter spp., vectored by psyllids. In orchards, HLB-infected plants are identified by visual observation of symptoms.

A Comprehensive Approach to the Diagnosis of Leigh Syndrome Spectrum.

Background: Leigh syndrome spectrum (LSS) is a novel nomenclature that encompasses both classical Leigh syndrome and Leigh-like phenotypes. Given the heterogeneity of disease presentation, a new consensus published recently addressed the main issues and proposed general guidelines towards diagnosis. Based on these recommendations, we developed a simple pipeline that can be useful in the diagnosis of LSS.

Multiplex qPCR for the detection of bacteria associated with huanglongbing ' Liberibacter asiaticus', '. L. americanus' and 16Sr IX group phytoplasma.

The occurrence of 'Candidatus Liberibacter' spp. and '. Phytoplasma' spp.

Impact of water quality on reprocessing equipment: Assessment of neurosurgical instruments cleaning and biofilm formation in hospital pipes.

Background: The presence of contamination and microorganisms at any stage of processing renders a method unsafe, leading to a high risk of cross-transmission and cross-infection.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the cleaning quality of aspirator instruments used in neurosurgical procedures.

Methods: The experimental study was conducted at the materials and sterilization center, as well as the microbiology laboratory, of a philanthropic hospital in Brazil.