Computed tomography assessment of neurocranial structures for sexual dimorphism identification: a meta-analysis.

The human neurocranium exhibits significant sexual dimorphism, making it a valuable resource for anthropological studies. This systematic review aggregated and analyzed data from literature on sex differences in neurocranial dimensions as measured by computed tomography (CT). Following registration of the review protocol with PROSPERO (#CRD 42023442451), comprehensive searches were conducted in six databases and gray literature.

Escalating Health Crisis: Dissecting Mortality Causes and Trends Among Indigenous Populations in Northeast Brazil.

Objectives: In Northeast Brazil, the poorest region of the country, indigenous communities face critical health care challenges. Despite legal entitlements to the Unified Health System (SUS), systemic barriers persist, exacerbating health disparities and mortality. This ecological study analyzed mortality trends and causes of death within the Special Indigenous Sanitary District (DSEI) Alagoas-Sergipe over a decade.

Biochemical analysis of vitreous humor and synovial fluid in the estimation of early postmortem interval: A meta-analytical approach.

The estimation of the postmortem interval (PMI) is a significant challenge in legal medicine and forensic sciences due to the dynamic and continuous decomposition of organisms after death. Thanatochemistry has emerged as a promising area to estimate PMI by measuring the concentrations of postmortem biochemical markers. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to summarize evidence on postmortem biochemical alterations in vitreous humor (VH) and synovial fluid (SF) to estimate early PMI.

Equine-assisted therapy in quality of life and functioning of people with active epilepsy: A feasibility study.

People with active epilepsy, which is often associated with specific neurological conditions, endure significant impairments in quality of life (QoL) and functioning, particularly those in middle-income countries. Physical intervention plays an essential role in addressing these challenges. This study investigated the impact of equine-assisted therapy (EAT) on QoL, functional independence, sleep quality, antiseizure medications, and frequency of seizures among people with epilepsy (PWE), with or without additional neurological conditions.

Spatiotemporal Epidemiology of Oropouche Fever, Brazil, 2015-2024.

We assessed the spatiotemporal dynamics of Oropouche fever in Brazil during 2015-2024. We found the number of cases substantially increased during that period, particularly in the Amazon region. Our findings underscore the need for improved surveillance and public health measures in response to the disease's potential spread beyond endemic areas.

Asthma as a risk factor and allergic rhinitis as a protective factor for COVID-19 severity: a case-control study.

Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significant global morbidity and mortality. The disease presents a broad clinical spectrum, significantly influenced by underlying comorbidities. While certain conditions are known to exacerbate COVID-19 outcomes, the role of chronic inflammatory airway diseases such as asthma and rhinitis in influencing disease severity remains controversial.

Accuracy of geometric morphometrics for age estimation using frontal face photographs of children and adolescents: A promising method for forensic practice.

Age estimation is crucial in legal and humanitarian contexts. Forensic professionals may use various procedures to estimate age, including dental analysis, bone density tests, evaluation of physical characteristics including facial bone structure and development, and image-based methods. Although images are often the only material available, visual observation of photographic material is an imprecise method in age estimation, which can compromise judicial decision-making.

Demographic evolution and natural increase projection of the Yanomami indigenous population in Brazil.

The Yanomami population, residing in Brazil's largest indigenous reserve in the Amazon Rainforest, face significant health challenges exacerbated by external threats such as infectious diseases, malnutrition, and mercury contamination from illegal mining. These issues, coupled with inadequate healthcare provision, have led to an alarming increase in mortality rates and potentially threaten the long-term survival of the Yanomami community. This ecological study utilized demographic data from the Special Secretariat of Indigenous Health to explore the demographic evolution and natural increase of the Yanomami Indigenous population in Brazil from 2003 to 2022.

Emerging Challenges of Mpox Transmission: An In-depth Scoping Review and Evidence Mapping on Breastfeeding Practices in South America.

Background: In 2022, a marked escalation in Monkeypox (Mpox) cases was observed in nonendemic regions, notably South America, despite the virus being traditionally endemic to Central and West Africa. This unexpected shift necessitated a deeper exploration of the novel transmission dynamics, including breastfeeding, given the emerging evidence of potential horizontal and vertical Mpox transmission during mother-infant interactions.

Research Aim: The study aimed to critically evaluate existing evidence on potential horizontal and vertical Mpox transmission related to breastfeeding and to assess guidelines in South American countries regarding Mpox prevention during breastfeeding.

Chronotropic incompetence is associated with reduced aerobic conditioning and sedentary behavior in patients with post-acute COVID-19 syndrome.

Post-acute COVID-19 syndrome, or long COVID, presents with persistent symptoms, including cough, dyspnea, and fatigue, extending beyond one month after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Cardiac complications such as chest pain and arrhythmias have raised concerns, with chronotropic incompetence (CI), an inadequate heart rate increase during exercise, emerging as a significant condition contributing to diminished exercise tolerance and quality of life. This study estimated the prevalence of CI and explored its association with aerobic capacity and physical activity levels in long COVID patients.

Demographic, socioeconomic, and health structure factors associated with the use of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis in Brazil: A nationwide ecological study.

To assess the cumulative rate of HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) users in Brazil since its 2018 implementation and to analyze the association between PrEP usage and state-level structural factors. A nationwide ecological study from 2018 to 2022 was conducted, examining the 5-year cumulative rate of PrEP users in relation to demographic, socioeconomic, and healthcare infrastructure variables. Multiple linear regression analysis identified significant predictors of PrEP utilization.