Motivations, perceptions and impacts of direct-to-consumer genetic testing among users in Brazil.

Numerous studies have focused on direct-to-consumer genetic testing (DTC-GT), but little is known about consumers outside North America and Europe. Therefore, this study assesses the sociodemographic profile, motivations, and impacts of DTC-GT among Brazilian consumers. DTC-GT customers were invited to complete a 30-question online survey anonymously.

Automated and closed clinical-grade manufacturing protocol produces potent NK cells against neuroblastoma cells and AML blasts.

Natural killer (NK) cells are a promising allogeneic immunotherapy option due to their natural ability to kill tumor cells, and due to their apparent safety. This study describes the development of a GMP-compliant manufacturing protocol for the local production of functionally potent NK cells tailored for high-risk acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and neuroblastoma (NBL) patients. Moreover, the quality control strategy and considerations for product batch specifications in early clinical development are described.

The G Protein-Coupled Receptor GPR56 Is an Inhibitory Checkpoint for NK Cell Migration.

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) represent the largest family of surface receptors and are responsible for key physiological functions, including cell growth, neurotransmission, hormone release, and cell migration. The GPCR 56 (GPR56), encoded by ADGRG1, is an adhesion GPCR found on diverse cell types, including neural progenitor cells, melanoma cells, and lymphocytes, such as effector memory T cells, γδ T cells, and NK cells. Using RNA-sequencing and high-resolution flow cytometry, we found that GPR56 mRNA and protein expression increased with NK cell differentiation, reaching its peak in adaptive NK cells.

Cesarean section incision along the posterior uterine wall - an obstetric and surgical complication of an obstructed pelvis due to previous endometriosis.

Pelvic endometriosis is a well-known clinical risk factor for pelvic inflammation and adhesions. We present a complex case of a woman undergoing a cesarean section where the traditional incision on the anterior lower uterine segment was not possible due to a congested pelvis. The newborn was delivered using a posterior uterine wall incision with rotation of the round ligament.

Health professionals' perceptions of planned home birth care within the Brazilian health system.

Background: The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, in its opinion of the Committee on Midwifery Practice, points out that planned home birth is a woman's and family's right to experience, but also to choose and be informed about, their baby's place of birth. The aim of this study was to understand obstetric nurses' perceptions of planned home childbirth care within the framework of the Brazilian obstetric model.

Method: A qualitative study, with Snowball Sampling recruitment, totaling 20 obstetric nurses through semi-structured interviews between September 2022 and January 2023, remotely, using the Google Meet application and the recording feature.

Effect of hydrocolloid concentration in low-calorie orange jellies on preservation of bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity.

The purpose of this paper was to avaliate of the concentration of hydrocolloids (low methoxyl pectin [LMP], guar gum [GG], and carrageenan gum [CG]) in low-calorie orange jellies in order to maximize the amount of bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity, and to study the influence on degradation these compounds. A mixture design with seven tests was used to analyze the total phenolic compounds, ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and antioxidant capacity (ABTS, DPPH and β-carotene/linoleic acid methods). The results were analyzed by response surface methodology and the Scott-Knott mean test at a significance level of 5% (p ≤ 0.

Mapping the chemotactic landscape in NK cells reveals subset-specific synergistic migratory responses to dual chemokine receptor ligation.

Background: Natural killer (NK) cells have a unique capability of spontaneous cytotoxicity against malignant cells and hold promise for off-the-shelf cell therapy against cancer. One of the key challenges in the field is to improve NK cell homing to solid tumors.

Methods: To gain a deeper understanding of the cellular mechanisms regulating trafficking of NK cells into the tumor, we used high-dimensional flow cytometry, mass cytometry, and single-cell RNA-sequencing combined with functional assays, creating a comprehensive map of human NK cell migration phenotypes.

DeepIFC: Virtual fluorescent labeling of blood cells in imaging flow cytometry data with deep learning.

Imaging flow cytometry (IFC) combines flow cytometry with microscopy, allowing rapid characterization of cellular and molecular properties via high-throughput single-cell fluorescent imaging. However, fluorescent labeling is costly and time-consuming. We present a computational method called DeepIFC based on the Inception U-Net neural network architecture, able to generate fluorescent marker images and learn morphological features from IFC brightfield and darkfield images.

Development of obstetric-hepatology services: defining optimal care and impact of pregnancy counselling on patient experience.

Objective: Prepregnancy counselling (PPC) is an important aspect of care for women with chronic liver disease (CLD) and liver transplantation (LT), yet its impact has not been well described. This study aims to assess the experience of women attending a joint obstetric-hepatology PPC clinic in a single-centre unit.

Design/methods: A retrospective questionnaire-based study in a tertiary unit within the UK where patients who attended the PPC clinic between March 2016 and July 2021 were invited to participate by filling in a questionnaire.

Multiprofessional cross-site working between a level 1 and a level 3 neonatal unit: a retrospective cohort study.

Objective: To assess the association of short-term neonatal outcomes with cross-site working of multiple healthcare professional teams between a level 3 and a level 1 neonatal unit.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: A level 1 neonatal unit in London.

The experience of trans or transvestite women in accessing public health services.

Objective: to understand the meanings of being a trans or transvestite woman in the care provided by Unified Health System health professionals.

Methods: qualitative research, guided by Heidegger's phenomenology, with 10 trans or transvestitewomen residing and using the Unified Health System in a municipality in Minas Gerais. Fieldwork was carried out by interviews.

Social support networks for women in situation of intimate partner violence.

Objectives: to analyze the possibilities of support that the social support network offers to women in situations of intimate partner violence.

Methods: qualitative research anchored in Sanicola's social network framework. A total of 21 women attended at a specialized social assistance service in Porto Velho-Rondônia, Brazil, participated in a semi-structured interview.

Women's perception of labor and birth care: obstacles to humanization.

Objectives: to understand women's perception regarding the care received during labor and birth.

Methods: this is a descriptive-exploratory, qualitative study carried out with 54 postpartum women from hospitals in the Metropolitan Region II of the state of Rio de Janeiro, from January to December 2018, using semi-structured interviews submitted to content analysis.

Results: puerperal women's perceptions about the childbirth care they received indicated the use of interventions, such as pressure maneuvers on the uterine fundus during the expulsion period - Kristeller maneuver, episiotomy and repeated vaginal examination and without consent.

Effects of aerobic physical exercise on neuroplasticity after stroke: systematic review.

Background: Stroke is among the leading causes of death and disability worldwide. Interventions for stroke rehabilitation aim to minimize sequelae, promote individuals' independence and potentially recover functional damage. The role of aerobic exercise as a facilitator of post-stroke neuroplasticity in humans is still questionable.

Social representations of adolescents about sexuality on the internet.

Objective: To apprehend the social representations of adolescents about sexuality on the internet.

Method: Qualitative research, based on the structural approach on the Theory of Social Representations, with adolescents who are users of virtual media and who are students of two state schools. The free word association test was used, whose data were processed by the Evoc® 2005 software and analyzed in the light of the aforementioned theory.

Expression Profiling of Glioblastoma Cell Lines Reveals Novel Extracellular Matrix-Receptor Genes Correlated With the Responsiveness of Glioma Patients to Ionizing Radiation.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most lethal and frequent type of brain tumor, leading patients to death in approximately 14 months after diagnosis. GBM treatment consists in surgical removal followed by radio and chemotherapy. However, tumors commonly relapse and the treatment promotes only a slight increase in patient survival.

Evaluation of the Volumizing Performance of a New Volumizer Filler in Volunteers with Age-Related Midfacial Volume Defects.

Purpose: The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of the study product, in terms of volumizing activity as well as the duration of the effect, in women with age-related midfacial volume defects. In addition, the study allowed the evaluation of the tolerability of the product by both volunteers and investigators.

Patients And Methods: Twenty-two female volunteers, aged 42-60 years, participated in this study, which was performed under dermatological control in a single center.

Sheltered adolescents' background of exposure to violence and distressful experiences.

Objectives: to analyze the exposure to violence and distressful experiences lived by adolescents in institutional shelters in the city of Rio de Janeiro (previous to their admittance).

Methods: a cross-sectional study carried out in public institutional shelter units, with a sample of 72 adolescents aged between 12 and 18 years. Data on sociodemographic aspects, family relationships and distressful experiences were obtained by means of the Parcours Amoureux des Jeunes instrument, validated for use in Brazil.

Pregnancy outcomes in women with primary biliary cholangitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis: a retrospective cohort study.

Objective: To determine maternal, obstetric and neonatal outcomes in a cohort of women with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC).

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: Ten specialist centres managing pregnant women with liver disease.

Pregnancy in Liver Transplantation.

Pregnancy after liver transplantation (LT) is increasingly common and is a frequent scenario that transplant physicians, obstetricians, and midwives encounter. This review summarizes the key issues surrounding preconception, pregnancy-related outcomes, immunosuppression, and breastfeeding in female LT recipients. Prepregnancy counseling in these patients should include recommendations to delay conception for at least 1-2 years after LT and discussions about effective methods of contraception.

Adequacy of prenatal assistance in birth houses and causes associated with hospital transfers.

Objective: To analyze the adequacy of prenatal care in a Birth Center and the causes associated with maternal and newborn transfers to the hospital.

Methods: Cross-sectional study of the care provided at the only Birth Center in Rio de Janeiro, from 2009 to 2014. Statistical analyzes were based on the χ2 test and Prevalence Ratio (PR).

Perception of nursing leadership on the fight against the precariousness of working conditions.

Objective: To describe and analyze gender and socioeconomic issues of category workers which interfere in the fight against the precariousness of working conditions within the perception of nursing leaders.

Method: A descriptive, exploratory study with a qualitative approach conducted at ABEn , Coren , Rio de Janeiro sessions and SindEnfRJ with leaders of work organizations, professionals in leadership positions, including directors or presidents. Individual interviews were conducted, and the data were treated using the content analysis technique.