Prevalence and factors associated with intestinal parasitosis in children from an urban slum in Brazil: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and investigate the factors associated with intestinal parasitic diseases in children from an urban slum in Brazil.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in children living in SEWA community, an urban slum located in Araguari, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The prevalence of intestinal parasitosis was determined via stool parasitological examination by spontaneous sedimentation.

Artificial intelligence in triage of COVID-19 patients.

In 2019, COVID-19 began one of the greatest public health challenges in history, reaching pandemic status the following year. Systems capable of predicting individuals at higher risk of progressing to severe forms of the disease could optimize the allocation and direction of resources. In this work, we evaluated the performance of different Machine Learning algorithms when predicting clinical outcomes of patients hospitalized with COVID-19, using clinical data from hospital admission alone.

Taxonomic review of the genus Parastacus Huxley, 1879 (Decapoda: Astacidea: Parastacidae) with description of five new species.

The freshwater crayfish genus Parastacus Huxley, 1879 (Parastacidae) is reviewed. Seven species are redescribed: Parastacus brasiliensis (von Martens, 1869), P. defossus Faxon, 1898, P.

Exploring the potential of 7,4'-di(diethylamino)flavylium as a novel photosensitizer for topical photodynamic therapy of skin cancer.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a minimally invasive therapeutic approach that has shown promising results in recent years, particularly in the dermatological clinical treatment of several pathologies, including neoplastic skin diseases. In light of the recent discovery of the photosensitizing properties of a water-soluble group of amino-based flavylium dyes, research efforts have led to the development of a novel synthetic dye with two diethylamino moieties in its structure, 7,4'-di(diethylamino)flavylium (7,4'diN(Et)). This dye was tested as a potential photosensitizer for PDT of skin cancer.

Proposal for fasting insulin and HOMA-IR reference intervals based on an extensive Brazilian laboratory database.

Objective: Fasting insulin and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index are relatively simple and reliable noninvasive markers of insulin resistance (IR). Given the relevance of correctly diagnosing IR, we emphasize the importance of establishing reliable reference intervals (RIs) for these markers. This study aimed to determine the RIs of fasting insulin and HOMA-IR index in adults living in Rio de Janeiro and, secondarily, to verify potential RI differences between sexes.

Annatto ()-Based Nanostructures for Biomedical Applications-A Systematic Review.

Plants are a source of valuable organic chemical compounds with complex structures rich in therapeutic activities. The encapsulation of compounds in nanostructured systems is an alternative to avoid limitations, such as instability and low solubility, and to promote therapeutic use. The objective of the present review was to summarize the data in the literature on the physicochemical characteristics, biomedical efficacy, and toxicity of nanostructures containing extracts and oils obtained from annatto ().

Assessing heavy metal contamination in a Brazilian metropolis: a case study with a focus on (bio)indicators.

The continuous expansion of the global vehicle fleet poses a growing threat to environmental quality through heavy metal contamination. In this scenario, monitoring to safeguard public health in urban areas is necessary. Our study involved the collection of 36 street dust and 29 moss samples from roads of a Brazilian metropolis (Recife) with varying traffic intensities as follows: natural reserve (0 vehicles per day), low (< 15,000 vehicles per day), medium (15,000-30,000 vehicles per day), and high (> 30,000 vehicles per day).

Insulin reference intervals in Brazilian adolescents by direct and indirect approaches: validation of a data mining method from laboratory data.

Objective: To determine reference intervals (RI) for fasting blood insulin (FBI) in Brazilian adolescents, 12 to 17 years old, by direct and indirect approaches, and to validate indirectly determined RI.

Methods: Two databases were used for RI determination. Database 1 (DB1), used to obtain RI through a posteriori direct method, consisted of prospectively selected healthy individuals.

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Croton urucurana and their toxicity in freshwater snail species Biomphalaria glabrata.

Green silver nanoparticles (G-Ag NPs) have contributed to the development of ecological technologies with low environmental impact and safer for human health, as well as demonstrating potential for the control of vectors and intermediate hosts. However, knowledge about its toxicity in the early stages of gastropod development remains scarce. Therefore, the current study aimed to investigate the toxicity of G-Ag NPs synthesized from Croton urucurana leaf extracts in snail species Biomphalaria glabrata, which is an intermediate host for Schistosoma mansoni parasite.

Atypical parathyroid adenoma with severe bone manifestations in early adolescence.

This is a case of primary hyperparathyroidism in a female teenager with multiple fractures and severe bone manifestations. The histopathology revealed atypical parathyroid adenoma, an exceedingly rare form of hyperparathyroidism; its main differential diagnosis is parathyroid carcinoma, as it shares both clinical and histological characteristics with it, in addition to its still uncertain malignant potential.

Effects of andiroba oil (Carapa guianensis aublet) on the immune system in inflammation and wound healing: A scoping review.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Andiroba seed oil (Carapa guianensis Aubl.) is widely used by traditional populations in tropical countries, especially in the Brazilian Amazon, because of its anti-inflammatory, antirheumatic, antiseptic, healing and antipyretic properties, among others, which makes it useful for the treatment, mainly, of skin afflictions and wounds.

Aim Of The Study: To describe the modulation of the immune system by andiroba oil (Carapa guianensis Aubl.

Prediction of heavy metals in polluted mangrove soils in Brazil with the highest reported levels of mercury using near-infrared spectroscopy.

Infrared reflectance spectroscopy has demonstrated potential as a tool for monitoring and preventing contamination in different environments. The objective of this study was to evaluate the usage of near-infrared spectroscopy for predicting heavy-metal contamination in mangrove soils from the Botafogo River estuary located in Pernambuco State, Northeastern Brazil. These soils exhibit the highest mercury (Hg) levels ever reported for Brazilian mangrove soils.

Two new species of Hyalella Smith, 1874 (Malacostraca: Amphipoda: Hyalellidae) from the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil.

The genus Hyalella Smith, 1874 occurs exclusively in the Americas. In Brazil, the states of Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul have the largest number of records with 20 species. This paper presents two new species for the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil.

Interest Groups as an Alternative for Medical Education in Sleep Medicine: Experience Report at a Brazilian Medical School.

Sleep medicine classes and teachings are usually deficient and insufficient during undergraduate medical education. In order to circumvent the educational deficits in sleep medicine, students at a Brazilian Medical School created a sleep medicine interest group-an academic organization for teaching purposes whose administration is carried out by the undergraduate students themselves. This study aims to describe the establishment of a sleep medicine interest group, as well as to evaluate the results of its first edition on the knowledge about sleep medicine among undergraduate medical students.

Baseline concentrations, source apportionment, and probabilistic risk assessment of heavy metals in urban street dust in Northeast Brazil.

Heavy metal pollution by accelerating urbanization is an emerging socio-environmental issue that poses a potential risk to human health and the environment. In this scenario, street dust is a primary source of contaminants. Here, the metal concentrations in street dust of one of the biggest Brazilian cities were assessed aiming to identify and quantify the sources of contamination.

Case Report: Composite pheochromocytoma with ganglioneuroma component: A report of three cases.

Composite pheochromocytoma (CP) is a very rare tumor originating from neural crest cells, predominantly composed of pheochromocytoma (PCC), a chromaffin cell tumor arising in adrenal medulla, and ganglioneuroma, a tumor derived from autonomic ganglion cells of the nervous system. Moreover, CP may be present in the hereditary syndromes of which pheochromocytoma is part. Literature offers scarce data on this subject, and particularly about its biological behavior, clinical evolution, and molecular profile.

The hole is deeper: description of two new species within the Parastacus brasiliensis (von Martens, 1869) species complex with an integrative taxonomy approach.

In this contribution, we describe two new species of burrowing crayfish species complex Parastacus brasiliensis from forestry areas in the central region of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil. We used an integrative taxonomy approach with morphology and the mitochondrial DNA 16S rRNA gene and also evaluated their conservation status according to the IUCN Red List Criteria. Parastacus guapo sp.

Modulating the thermodynamics, kinetics and photochemistry of 7-diethylamino-4'-dimethylaminoflavylium in water/ethanol, SDS and CTAB micelles.

The thermodynamics and kinetics of compound 7-diethylamino-4'-dimethylaminoflavylium were studied in water : ethanol (1 : 1) and water in the presence of SDS and CTAB micelles. The blue flavylium cation is in equilibrium with the pink protonated flavylium cation defined by p and the yellow -chalcone, defined by p. The difference between these two ps gives the pH domain of the flavylium cation, Δp = 1.

Bidirectional associations between chronic low back pain and sleep quality: A cohort study with schoolteachers.

Aims: Although both chronic low back pain (cLBP) and sleep problems are prevalent among active workers, the relation between these variables is not well established. This study aimed to examine the bidirectional association between cLBP and sleep in schoolteachers.

Methods: The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and cLBP were self-reported by 530 schoolteachers in Londrina, Brazil, at baseline and after 2 years of follow-up.

Sleepiness profiles in mice submitted to acute and chronic sleep deprivation.

Sleepiness is a behavioural consequence of sleep pressure, which shows interindividual variation, a characteristic possibly related to central sleep mechanisms. However, there is a lack of evidence linking progressive sleep need and sleepiness with factors of individual variability, which could be tested by total acute and chronic sleep deprivation. Thus, the objective of the study was to investigate the development of sleepiness in sleep deprived mice.

Toxicity of plant-based silver nanoparticles to vectors and intermediate hosts: Historical review and trends.

Green nanoparticles (GNPs), mainly green silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs), have been recommended as sustainable and eco-friendly technologies to control vectors and intermediate hosts. The aim of the current study is to carry out a historical and systematic literature review about the use of green plant-based Ag NPs (GP-Ag NPs) to control medically important mosquito, tick and gastropods. Data about the number of studies published per year, geographical distribution of studies (mailing address of the corresponding author), synthesis type (plant species, plant structure and extract types), physicochemical properties of GP-Ag NPs, experimental designs, developmental stages and the toxic effects on mosquitoes, ticks and gastropods were summarized and discussed.

Biomphalaria embryotoxicity test (BET): 60 years of research crossing boundaries for developing standard protocols.

Snail's embryotoxicity test is a suitable approach for toxicity assay of traditional and emerging pollutants, environmental risk assessment, as well as screening and development of new molluscicides. Among the snail species, Biomphalaria spp. has been indicated as a promising model system for developing standardized test protocols for assessing the chemical toxicity using early developmental stages.

Geospatial modeling and ecological and human health risk assessments of heavy metals in contaminated mangrove soils.

Heavy metal-contaminated wastes can threaten mangrove forests, one of the most biodiverse ecosystems in the world. The study evaluated the geospatial distribution of heavy metals concentrations in soils, the ecological and human health risks, and metal contents in soil fractions and mangrove organisms in the Botafogo estuary, Brazil, one of the most environmentally impacted estuaries in the country. The metal concentrations exceeded by up to 2.

Prioritization of ICU beds with renal replacement therapy support by court order and mortality in a Brazilian metropolitan area.

The shortage of intensive care unit (ICU) resources, including equipment and supplies for renal replacement therapy (RRT), is a critical problem in several countries. This study aimed to assess hospital mortality and associated factors in patients treated in public hospitals of the Federal District, Brazil, who requested admission to ICU with renal replacement therapy support (ICU-RRT) in court. Retrospective cohort study that included 883 adult patients treated in public hospitals of the Federal District who requested ICU-RRT admission in court from January 2017 to December 2018.

In silico identification of candidate miRNA-encoded Peptides in four Fabaceae species.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are one of the main regulators of gene expression. Recent studies have demonstrated that primary transcripts of miRNAs (pri-miRNAs) encode regulatory peptides, called miRNA-encoded peptides (miPEPs), capable of enhancing the expression of their associated miRNAs in plants. In this work, we aimed to computationally identify miPEPs produced by small open reading frames (ORFs) in pri-miRNAs from four species of Fabaceae.