Association between neuroimaging and clinical outcomes in individuals with central nervous system cryptococcosis.

Background: The radiological manifestations of central nervous system (CNS) cryptococcosis are diverse and often subtle. There is heterogeneity on how different neuroimaging patterns impact prognosis. This study aims to assess the association between the neuroimaging and clinical outcomes of CNS cryptococcosis.

SARS-CoV-2 lineages circulating during the first wave of the pandemic in North Sumatra, Indonesia.

Objectives: To determine the lineage distribution of the virus during the first wave of the pandemic in North Sumatra, Indonesia.

Methods: A total of 20 samples with positive results based on reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction were selected for virus culture and then performed whole-genome sequence analysis using next-generation sequencing which was applied by the Illumina MiSeq instrument.

Results: Whole-genome sequence analysis revealed that the majority of our samples belong to lineages B.

Radiological analysis of maxillary artery relationships to key bony landmarks in maxillofacial surgery.

The maxillary artery (MA) is a key structure at risk of injury in numerous oral and maxillofacial surgical (OMS) procedures. Knowledge of safe distances from this vessel to surgically familiar bony landmarks could improve patient safety and prevent catastrophic haemorrhage. Distances between the MA and bony landmarks on the maxilla and mandible were measured using CT angiograms on 100 patients (200 facial halves).

Whole-genome sequence and genesis of an avian influenza virus H5N1 isolated from a healthy chicken in a live bird market in Indonesia: accumulation of mammalian adaptation markers in avian hosts.

Background: Influenza A viruses are a major pathogen that causes significant clinical and economic harm to many animals. In Indonesia, the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus has been endemic in poultry since 2003 and has caused sporadic deadly infections in humans. The genetic bases that determine host range have not yet been fully elucidated.

Evaluation of eleven immunochromatographic assays for SARS-CoV-2 detection: investigating the dengue cross-reaction.

COVID-19 disease is spread worldwide and diagnostic techniques have been studied in order to contain the pandemic. Immunochromatographic (IC) assays are feasible and a low-cost alternative especially in low and middle-income countries, which lack structure to perform certain diagnostic techniques. Here we evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of eleven different IC tests in 145 serum samples from confirmed cases of COVID-19 using RT-PCR and 100 negative serum samples from blood donors collected in February 2019.

Surgery for maxillary oral squamous cell carcinoma: the effect of surgical resection margins and elective neck dissection on oncological outcomes.

Maxillary oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is uncommon. Surgical resection is challenging due to the anatomy, and the role of elective neck dissection (END) is not well-defined. A retrospective cohort study of patients with maxillary OSCC treated with primary surgery between 2007 and 2019 was conducted.

Predicting the outcome for COVID-19 patients by applying time series classification to electronic health records.

Background: COVID-19 caused more than 622 thousand deaths in Brazil. The infection can be asymptomatic and cause mild symptoms, but it also can evolve into a severe disease and lead to death. It is difficult to predict which patients will develop severe disease.

Mandibular fractures - what a difference 30 years has made.

This single-centre retrospective study aimed to characterise the epidemiology, management, and outcomes of mandibular trauma presenting to the same tertiary trauma centre 30 years apart, including key paradigm shifts in management and techniques. A total of 393 patients presenting with 665 mandibular fractures were managed by the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery department at The Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH), Australia, between 2011 and 2016. Data from a previous RMH paper of 205 patients presenting with 376 mandibular fractures between January 1985 and April 1990 were compared.

Frequency and factors associated with hospital readmission after COVID-19 hospitalization: the importance of post-COVID diarrhea.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to describe the incidence and risk factors for hospital readmission and infection during the months after COVID-19 hospital admission.

Methods: This prospective study included adult patients who were hospitalized due to COVID-19 and had been discharged from April 2020 to August 2020. All patients had a medical evaluation with a structured questionnaire 6 to 11 months after hospital admission.

A change in surgical margin: do wider surgical margins lead to decreased rates of local recurrence in T1 and T2 oral tongue cancer?

The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of a change in macroscopic/surgical margin width upon histological margins and loco-regional failure in early oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC). In 2009, the surgical margin protocol was increased from 10 mm to 15 mm. A retrospective review was performed of all patients who underwent treatment for early OTSCC between 2009 and 2016 with a 15-mm surgical margin (n = 142), and these patients were compared to those treated between 1999 and 2008 with a 10-mm surgical margin (n = 78).

Brazilian guidelines for the treatment of outpatients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19. A joint guideline of the Brazilian Association of Emergency Medicine (ABRAMEDE), Brazilian Medical Association (AMB), Brazilian Society of Angiology and Vascular Surgery (SBACV), Brazilian Society of Geriatrics and Gerontology (SBGG), Brazilian Society of Infectious Diseases (SBI), Brazilian Society of Family and Community Medicine (SBFMC), and Brazilian Thoracic Society (SBPT).

Background: Several therapies have been used or proposed for the treatment of COVID-19, although their effectiveness and safety have not been properly evaluated. The purpose of this document is to provide recommendations to support decisions about the drug treatment of outpatients with COVID-19 in Brazil.

Methods: A panel consisting of experts from different clinical fields, representatives of the Brazilian Ministry of Health, and methodologists (37 members in total) was responsible for preparing these guidelines.

Synthesis and assessment of copper-based nanoparticles as a surface coating agent for antiviral properties against SARS-CoV-2.

To halt the pandemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), governments around the world have imposed policies, such as lockdowns, mandatory mask wearing, and social distancing. The application of disinfecting materials in shared public facilities can be an additional measure to control the spread of the virus. Copper is a prominent material with antibacterial and antiviral effects.

The role of PNPLA3 and TM6SF2 polymorphisms on liver fibrosis and metabolic abnormalities in Brazilian patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Background: Despite the growing body of knowledge about TM6SF2 and PNPLA3 polymorphisms in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, their influence in the spectrum of HCV liver disease is not yet fully defined. Besides that, admixed populations, such as Brazilians, were not included in most of the studies.

Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled 365 treatment-naïve patients with HCV and 134 healthy individuals.

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells attenuate pulmonary inflammation and lung damage caused by highly pathogenic avian influenza A/H5N1 virus in BALB/c mice.

Background: The highly pathogenic avian influenza A/H5N1 virus is one of the causative agents of acute lung injury (ALI) with high mortality rate. Studies on therapeutic administration of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in ALI caused by the viral infection have been limited in number and have shown conflicting results. The aim of the present investigation is to evaluate the therapeutic potential of MSC administration in A/H5N1-caused ALI, using a mouse model.